Ticks in British Columbia

Written by Phillip George · Last updated: July 24, 2026

Ticks in British Columbia: what to actually watch for

British Columbia's tick picture is different from eastern Canada's. The main biting ticks here are western species, Lyme disease risk is genuinely low, and the bigger practical concerns in parts of the province are tick paralysis and nuisance bites. This guide explains which ticks you'll meet in BC, where they live, and what to do after a bite. Use the official BCCDC links below for current risk maps.

Key takeaways for British Columbia

• Lyme risk is low, not zero: the western blacklegged tick can carry Lyme, but only a small fraction (well under 1% in most BC surveillance) are infected — far lower than Ontario or the Maritimes.
• The interior has a different tick: the Rocky Mountain wood tick dominates BC's dry interior and can cause tick paralysis, a reason to remove ticks quickly.
• Region matters: coastal/southern BC vs. the dry interior have different species and risks.

Which ticks you'll actually encounter

• Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) — BC's Lyme vector, found mainly on southern Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, the Fraser Valley, the Gulf Islands, and the southern Okanagan. Small and dark; nymphs are easily missed. Infection rates are low but not nil.
• Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) — the common tick of BC's dry interior (Okanagan, Thompson, Kootenay, Cariboo), active early spring into summer. Can cause tick paralysis and, rarely, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, or Colorado tick fever.
• American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) — present in some regions; a nuisance biter.

Sources: BCCDC — Tick-borne diseases; BCCDC — Lyme disease.

Where and when risk is highest

Tick activity in BC peaks in spring and early summer (roughly March through June), when both the western blacklegged tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick are questing. Coastal and southern regions carry the western blacklegged tick; the interior grasslands and open forests are wood-tick country. Check the BCCDC Lyme risk map for your specific area before assuming low risk.

Tick-borne concerns in BC

• Lyme disease — present but uncommon; still worth prompt removal and monitoring.
• Tick paralysis — caused by a toxin in the saliva of some Dermacentor ticks; symptoms improve once the tick is fully removed, which is why quick removal matters.
• Tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever — rare, associated mainly with the wood tick in the interior.

For symptoms and timelines, see our tick-borne disease symptoms in humans guide.

Found a tick in BC? Do this

1. Remove it promptly and completely with fine-tipped tweezers — see our tick removal guide. Complete removal is especially important because of tick paralysis.
2. Identify it: BC participates in eTick.ca, where you can upload photos for expert identification.
3. Record the date and location and watch for a rash, fever, or unusual weakness over the following days.
4. Call HealthLink BC (8-1-1) or a healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

Official BC resources

• BCCDC — Tick-borne diseases
• BCCDC — Lyme disease
• BCCDC — Lyme risk areas map
• eTick.ca — submit a tick photo for identification
• Public Health Agency of Canada — Lyme disease

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