Tick season is here and the Eastern Townships is seeing an increase in the number of infected black legged tics.

Jade Savage, professor in the Biological Sciences Department at Bishop's University and creator of eTick, a designated tick platform to keep the the public and scientific community informed, speaks on the current tick situation in the region and provides tips to help keep people, and their pets, safe. 

“First off, I just want to say that we have several species of ticks in our region, only one of which I would say is of major medical importance. So, the black legged tick is unfortunately quite abundant in Quebec as a whole and especially so in the Eastern Townships,” said Savage. “(…) These other species are mostly not associated with tick born diseases.”

Savage explained that while data fluctuates from year to year, in general there seem to be more ticks in the Townships every year. 

“There are a number of factors that will affect the abundance of ticks every year, the same applies for the black legged ticks. We do see a lot of them, there are many in different parts of the Townships. What seems to be more of a problem is not that they are that abundant, but the fact that there are many populations where the infection rate with the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease is higher,” explained Savage. “We have a higher proportion of infected ticks in certain areas than there used to be.” 

Besides Lyme disease, Savage said that the region has also seen the emergence of anaplasmosis, another bacteria-born disease. 

“There were quite a few cases recorded last year for our region and the public health authorities are really under watch for cases this year. (…) It creates anxiety and needs to be taken into account,” noted Savage. 

Savage said that Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are both difficult to diagnose and that the factors that contribute to an increase in infected ticks still aren’t fully understood. 

“Both the anaplasmosis and Lyme disease are both caused by a bacteria and these bacteria need to be acquired from wild hosts. (…) This is all part of a complicated chain, so we cannot say that it’s just one element,” explained Savage. “So, of course, climatic changes with warmer winters do contribute to the higher presence of ticks, so more black legged ticks in more areas.  Changes also in habitats, so urban sprawling, bigger suburbs, the destruction of certain habitats, can also favour ticks and other hosts of ticks.”

Savage emphasized that there are various preventative measures that people can take to protect themselves and their pets from ticks. For animals, there are different treatments available, but for humans things are a little bit different. 

“We do have a lot of insecticides that will work against ticks. There are more formulations out there that will work as tick repellant. There is also the way in which we wear our clothes,” she noted. “Putting your pants inside your socks might be seen as a fashion crime, but it is also a great way to protect yourself against ticks because they usually come from knee-high level or ground vegetation.” 

Savage suggests to also use the interactive maps that is available on the eTick platform before heading out anywhere, as it demonstrates the tick situation in each area and doing a daily tick check. 

“All together, all of the preventative measures are usually good,” she concluded. 

Savage mentioned that ticks go through cycles, being abundant or more active at different times during the year, and expects that the density and distribution of ticks will keep on increasing. 

“And even if we are hoping that case numbers, in terms off infections, and the prevalence of the bacteria causing both Lyme disease and the one causing anaplasmosis, will remain stable, I think we can still expect them to rise in years to come. But again, that is speculative and it is difficult to make these predictions,” emphasized Savage.

For more information and access to the eTick platform.

Listen to the interview with Jade Savage below: