The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is already seeing a lot of ticks turned in for testing this year.
So far this spring, the health unit has received 165 ticks, which almost matches the 167 ticks received over the course of an entire year in 2016.
"I think it's more so because this year, we have a lot more promotion and awareness, so people just know to bring the ticks in for reporting purposes," says Phil Wong with the health unit.
The health unit does regular checks at local parks, and Wong says they are seeing a consistent number of ticks compared to previous years.
Of the 165 ticks submitted this year, six of them were the "black leg" variety that is known to carry Lyme disease. None of the ticks have tested positive for Lyme disease.
Anyone who finds a tick of any variety on their body is advised to bring the insect into any health unit location for inspection. Wong says they can be removed from the body with tweezers or a tick key.
"You just want to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull the tick gently outwards. You don't really want to twist the mouth parts so that the mouth parts aren't left behind and you want to avoid squeezing the body of the tick," says Wong.
After being bit by a tick you should look for symptoms of Lyme disease including fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain or a "bull's eye" type rash.
To avoid tick bites stay out of long grasses, cover up when going to parks or natural areas and use insect repellent with DEET.
