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FACTS AND INFORMATION ABOUT TICKS

Ticks (Family Ixodidae) are arthropods, not insects. They belong to the same class as spiders.  There are more than 850 identified species of ticks in the world and are categorized as either hard ticks or soft ticks.

Here in Canada, the most common types of ticks are hard ticks, specially the deer tick (or black-legged tick), American dog tick, brown dog tick and Rocky Mountain wood tick.

Ticks are also parasites, and need a host (mammal, bird, reptile, etc.) to survive. They need to consume blood during all stages of their life cycle. While different tick species will favour different hosts, most will feed on any blood source available to them. Common hosts are deer, livestock, dogs, cats and humans.

Commonly found near highly vegetated and wooded areas, ticks climb to the top of blades of grass and wait for a host to walk past them. They will use a pair of legs to grasp onto an unknowing victim. Therefore, ticks commonly find their way indoors by hitchhiking on household pets (especially dogs), people and clothing.

Ticks can be as small as a sesame seed or as large as a pea. Their colouring ranges from various shades of brown, black, grey and white. Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis), or blacklegged ticks vary in size and colour depending on their sex.  Females are reddish-brown and average 3-5 mm in length. Male deer ticks are brown and smaller in size.

a tick on human skin

Mature ticks have 2 body sections, 8 legs and moving mouthparts. Their heads are fused to their thorax. When ticks feed, their body expands, which gives them a larger appearance post feeding (when they are fully engorged with their host’s blood). A female deer tick can become as large as 10mm post feeding.

They are a huge concern because they can transmit diseases to animals and humans at all stages of their life cycles.  For humans, the deer tick or blacklegged ticks poses a serious concern for Lyme disease. Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, is spread when an infected deer tick (blacklegged tick) bites a human. These types of ticks become exposed to Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria through feeding on wild animals infected with it.

A bite from a tick often goes unnoticed because they are not painful. Most people are unaware they have been bitten unless they find an engorged tick feeding on their body or on animal. Often once the tick has finished feeding, and is fully engorged with its host’s blood, it will fall off and seek out a new victim when it needs to eat again.

It is dangerous to remove a feeding tick from our body. If the tick is crushed, any infected fluids could be released into you, further contaminating the bite area, and putting your health at risk. If you think you may have been bitten by a tick or have in fact been bitten, seek professional medical advice or attention.

Learn more about how to get rid of ticks.

If you need Tick Control, contact the experts at Environmental Pest Control.

Call 1 (800) 263-5055

Our Professional Team is Happy to Help!

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Trevor Dixon
3 weeks ago

I want to thank Sarah! She really did a amazing inspection! I had a issue with mice. Sarah cover the inside and outside taking care of holes/gaps above the front and back doors. attics and garage. And has a very caring attitude towards her clients! I have know about Environmental Pest control for many years as they looked after issues with a school board I worked for.


Margo Dixon
3 months ago

We just had a fall treatment done at our country property. We never hesitate to call this company to protect us from ladybugs, cluster flies and more. You can count on them for punctuality, professionalism and thoroughness. Shout out to Cody who went above and beyond today: on his own accord, he brought our garbage/recycling bins to our garage door from the road and was able to retrieve a helium balloon that had floated up to the top of our cathedral ceiling. We are seniors, so these gestures of kindness were most appreciated. Highly recommend!


Sherrie Lee Hawley
5 months ago

I cannot rate this company high enough. I first talked with Thomas on the phone. He was so polite and patient with this 79 year old lady animal advocate. He talked me through everything and I made my choice of the service I desired. I got an appointment the next day. Craig was right on time and he went through everything again and made sure I understood the whole procedure. I feel I got a very fair price for the work done. Do not hesitate to call Environmental Pest Control if you need help with wasps as I did!


Heather Lundberg
3 months ago

I recently had the bait boxes refilled to avoid having mice move into my house as the weather turns colder. Mike and Jake arrived at the appointed time. Both gentlemen were polite, friendly and very professional. When they left, I contacted Kassandra to arrange payment. She was lovely, pleasant and polite, a pleasure to speak with. I have used the services of this company for years and have always been pleased.