Ticks in Manitoba

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

Ticks in Manitoba: what to actually watch for

Manitoba is "wood tick" country for most of the year — the large American dog tick is a familiar springtime nuisance across the province. The tick that actually spreads Lyme disease, the blacklegged tick, is established mainly in the southeast and is slowly expanding. Knowing the difference is the single most useful thing for a Manitoban. This guide covers both, plus where and when risk is highest and what to do after a bite.

Key takeaways for Manitoba

• Two very different ticks: the common "wood tick" (American dog tick) is a nuisance but not a Lyme carrier; the blacklegged tick is the one linked to Lyme disease.
• The southeast is the Lyme zone: established blacklegged tick areas cluster in southeastern Manitoba near the Ontario and Minnesota borders, and are expanding.
• Spring is peak wood-tick season: expect lots of dog ticks from April to June; that visibility is a good reminder to also check for the much smaller blacklegged nymphs.

Which ticks you'll actually encounter

• American dog tick / "wood tick" (Dermacentor variabilis) — Manitoba's most abundant tick, large and brown with pale silvery markings, common in grassy and open areas province-wide in spring. A nuisance biter; not a meaningful Lyme vector.
• Blacklegged / deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) — smaller and darker, established in southeastern Manitoba (the southeast corner, the Pembina Valley, and areas such as the Sandilands and Whiteshell). This is the species that can transmit Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.

Because the two look quite different in size, learning to tell them apart is genuinely useful here. If unsure, submit a photo (see below).

Source: Province of Manitoba — Tick-borne diseases.

Where and when risk is highest

Lyme disease risk concentrates in southeastern Manitoba, where blacklegged ticks are established; the province maps risk areas that have grown over time. Blacklegged ticks are active whenever temperatures are above roughly 4 °C, with a spring/early-summer peak for nymphs. American dog ticks are most obvious in late spring. Treat wooded edges, tall grass, and brushy trails as the highest-exposure spots.

Tick-borne diseases reported in Manitoba

• Lyme disease — the main concern, concentrated in the southeast.
• Anaplasmosis — also linked to blacklegged ticks and reported in Manitoba.

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

Found a tick in Manitoba? Do this

1. Remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers — follow our tick removal guide.
2. Identify it: figure out whether it's a wood tick or a blacklegged tick, submitting a photo to eTick.ca if you're unsure. Only the blacklegged tick carries Lyme.
3. Record the date and location and monitor for symptoms for several weeks.
4. Contact Health Links–Info Santé or a healthcare provider if you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms, especially after exposure in the southeast.

Official Manitoba resources

• Province of Manitoba — Lyme disease
• Province of Manitoba — Tick-borne diseases
• Province of Manitoba — Prevention of tick-borne diseases
• eTick.ca — submit a tick photo for identification
• Public Health Agency of Canada — Lyme disease

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