5 Types Of Ticks In Ontario (2024)

Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of humans and animals. In Ontario, there are several different species of ticks. However there are five common types of Ticks in Ontario and they include the American dog tick, the Lone star tick, the Deer Tick, the Winter Tick and the Groundhog tick.

All of these species have the potential to spread disease and can cause discomfort and irritation to those bitten. The black-legged tick, also known as the Deer tick, is the most common tick found in Ontario. This tick is reddish-brown and can be found in wooded and grassy areas. It is known to spread Lyme disease and is the primary transmitter of the disease in Canada.

The American dog tick is another common species in Ontario and is typically found in wooded areas. It is a reddish-brown colour and can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Tularemia. The Lone star tick is less common in Ontario but can be found in wooded and grassy areas. This species is typically light brown and is known to transmit ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Lastly, the Groundhog tick is also found in Ontario but is rarely encountered by humans. This species is reddish-brown and is known to transmit Tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

5 Types Of Ticks In Ontario

1. American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)

The American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is one of the five types of ticks in Ontario, Canada. It is one of the most widespread and abundant tick species in North America. The American Dog Tick is the most common carrier of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a serious and potentially life-threatening disease.

This species is an ambush predator, meaning it waits for a potential host, such as a dog, deer, or human, to pass by before it attaches itself and feeds. The American Dog Tick has a life cycle of three stages: egg, larva, and adult. The eggs are laid in the spring in large clusters on vegetation, and the larvae emerge from the eggs in late spring or early summer.

The larvae feed on small mammals, birds, and other hosts, then moult into nymphs. The nymphs feed on larger hosts and moult into adult ticks. Adult ticks are the most dangerous stage, as they are the ones that carry and transmit diseases.

The American Dog Tick is typically found in areas with tall grass, brush, or piles of leaves, as these provide ideal hiding spots. They can also be found on animals, especially dogs, as they are the most common host.

The best way to prevent being bitten by the American Dog Tick is to avoid tall grass, brush, or piles of leaves, and to check yourself and your pets for ticks after being outdoors. If you do find a tick on yourself or your pet, it is important to remove it quickly and safely using tweezers. It is also important to keep grass and brush in your yard trimmed and to regularly check your pets for ticks.

2. Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis)

Deer ticks, also known as black-legged ticks, are a type of tick commonly found in Ontario. They are small, reddish-brown ticks that feed on the blood of animals, including humans. Deer ticks are found in grassy and wooded areas, where they can attach to small mammals, birds, and humans. Deer ticks are known to carry a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis.

The best defence against deer ticks is prevention. When spending time outside in wooded and grassy areas, people should wear light-coloured clothing with long sleeves and pants, and make sure to tuck their pants into their socks. People should also use insect repellent with DEET, and check themselves and their pets for ticks after spending time outdoors. If a deer tick is found, it should be removed as soon as possible, preferably with tweezers, to reduce the risk of infection.

Deer ticks can be identified by their size, colour, and shape. They are small, reddish-brown, and shaped like a tear drop. In addition, deer ticks have a black patch near the head and a black line running the length of their body when viewed under a microscope.

If you suspect you have been bitten by a deer tick, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Proper diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases can help prevent serious health complications.

3. Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)

The Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum) is a species of tick native to the United States and parts of Canada, including Ontario. It is an important vector of human and animal diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis.

The Lone Star Tick is a small, reddish-brown tick that can reach up to 1/4 inch in length. The female Lone Star Tick can be easily identified by the white dot on her back, which is how it got its name. The male Lone Star Tick does not have the white dot, but can be identified by its long, thin mouthparts that extend from its head.

The Lone Star Tick is most commonly found in wooded and grassy areas, and is active from spring to fall. It feeds on the blood of humans, pets, and a variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is important to note that the Lone Star Tick is capable of transmitting various diseases to humans, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and tularemia.

In Ontario, the Lone Star Tick can be found in the southern and eastern parts of the province, as well as parts of the northern regions. It is important to take precautions when spending time outdoors, such as wearing long-sleeved clothing and tucking pants into socks. If a tick is found on the body, it should be removed as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection.

It is also important to check yourself and your pets for ticks after spending time in wooded or grassy areas. If a tick is found, it should be removed using tweezers and disposed of properly. Ticks should never be crushed or handled with bare hands, as this could cause the tick to release saliva and/or other bodily fluids that could be infected with disease.

4. Groundhog Tick (Ixodes cookei)

Groundhog ticks, also known as woodchuck ticks, are a species of hard ticks found across Canada, including in Ontario. They are especially common in areas with groundhog or woodchuck populations, where they are found residing on these animals. They are known to feed on mammals and birds, and are a common source of Lyme disease.

Groundhog ticks are reddish-brown in colour and measure about 4 mm in length. They have a hard, scutum-like shield on their back, and a rounded mouthpart that is used to attach to the skin and draw blood. The female tick can lay up to 1,000 eggs, which hatch into larvae after a few weeks. These larvae will then develop into nymphs, which then feed on animals and eventually reach adulthood.

Groundhog ticks are active during the months of April to October. During this time, they will feed on animals such as dogs, cats, deer and other small mammals. They are known to transmit a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They can also transmit other diseases, such as tularemia, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis.

To protect yourself from groundhog ticks, it is important to take precautions when outdoors. Wear long pants tucked into socks, use a repellent containing DEET, and check for ticks after spending time outdoors. If you find a tick, do not try to remove it yourself, but instead contact a doctor or veterinarian for assistance.

5. Winter Tick (Dermacentor albipictus)

The Winter Tick (Dermacentor albipictus) is one of the five types of ticks in Ontario and throughout most of Canada. It is a three-host tick, meaning it requires three hosts to complete its life cycle.

The adult female attaches to a large mammal and feeds on its blood. The male and female mate on the host and the female drops off to lay her eggs in the soil. The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on small mammals such as mice. After several molts, the larvae become nymphs, which feed on larger mammals such as deer. The nymphs then molt into adults, which feed on a large mammal and the cycle is repeated.

Winter Ticks are most abundant from late fall to early spring when large mammals are most active. They are most commonly found on white-tailed deer, moose, and elk, but can also feed on smaller mammals such as rabbits and hares.

Winter Ticks are most easily identified by their two-tone coloration; the upper half is reddish-brown and the lower half is yellowish-white. They can reach up to 1 cm in length and have eight legs.

Winter Ticks are known to transmit several diseases, including Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis. They can also cause anemia in deer and other large mammals due to their large numbers.

It is important to practice tick safety when engaging in outdoor activities in Ontario. Wear long sleeves and pants, use insect repellent, and do a tick check when coming inside. If you find a tick attached to your skin, use tweezers to gently remove it and contact your healthcare provider for further advice.

Related:

• 5 Types Of Squirrels In Ontario
• 5 Types Of Snakes In Ontario
• 5 Types Of Spiders In Ontario

Conclusion

Ticks are small arachnids found in many parts of Ontario and can cause serious health issues if not removed or treated properly. While all species of ticks in Ontario can transmit disease, the most common five types of ticks in Ontario are the Deer tick, the American dog tick, the Lone star tick, the Winter tick and the Groundhog tick.

Each of these species has the potential to spread disease and should be avoided, or removed and treated appropriately if encountered. By understanding the different types of ticks and their associated health risks, we can better protect ourselves and our families from these potentially dangerous pests.