With the warmer weather comes ticks, and the province is warning people to take care. Provincial Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Jennifer Cram, says while enjoying all that Nova Scotia has to offer, protecting yourself from ticks is important. Ticks are found all over the province, and some carry serious diseases. Ticks are often found in tall grass, shrubs, urban parks, gardens, and forests. There are several kinds of ticks in Nova Scotia, including the blacklegged tick, which transmits diseases such as Lyme disease.
Ticks like warm places on the body, so it is important to do a thorough tick check after spending time outside, including:
- around ears
- behind knees
- in the hair
- between the legs and in the groin area
- around the waist.
People can reduce their risk by:
- wearing long pants and long sleeves in areas likely to have ticks
- wearing light-coloured clothing (light colours make it easier to see ticks)
- wearing enclosed shoes and tucking pants into socks
- walking on well-travelled paths, avoiding long grass and vegetation
- applying insect repellents approved by Health Canada to exposed skin and clothes (following directions carefully).
Local pharmacists can assess tick bites and determine if a preventative antibiotic is needed.
Lunenburg County seafood business receives provincial funding