Ticks in Nova Scotia

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

Ticks in Nova Scotia: what to actually watch for

Nova Scotia has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in Canada. Blacklegged ticks are established across much of the province, so the practical advice here is simple: assume tick exposure is possible almost anywhere outdoors, and build tick checks into your routine. This guide covers the species, the highest-risk areas and seasons, and what to do after a bite.

Key takeaways for Nova Scotia

• High Lyme risk province-wide: the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) is well established across mainland Nova Scotia, and the province consistently reports high Lyme incidence.
• The South Shore stands out: southwestern counties (Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth) and the Halifax area are long-standing hotspots.
• There's a provincial tick service: Nova Scotia Health runs a dedicated Tick Service for identification and guidance.

Which ticks you'll actually encounter

• Blacklegged / deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) — the dominant tick of concern in Nova Scotia and the vector for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Reddish-brown with a dark shield; nymphs are poppy-seed-sized.
• American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) — also present, larger and mottled; a nuisance biter rather than a Lyme carrier.

Source: Nova Scotia — Lyme disease (CDPC).

Where and when risk is highest

While the South Shore and southwestern counties have the densest established populations, blacklegged ticks are now found throughout mainland Nova Scotia, including the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Annapolis Valley. Ticks are active whenever it is above roughly 4 °C — spring and fall for adults, and late spring through midsummer for the nymphs that cause most human infections. Because coverage is so broad, treat any wooded, brushy, or long-grass area as potential habitat.

Tick-borne diseases reported in Nova Scotia

• Lyme disease — common; watch for an expanding rash and flu-like symptoms.
• Anaplasmosis and babesiosis — reported and increasing where blacklegged ticks are established.

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

Found a tick in Nova Scotia? Do this

1. Remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers — follow our tick removal guide.
2. Identify it through the Nova Scotia Health Tick Service or by submitting photos to eTick.ca.
3. Record the date and location and monitor for symptoms for several weeks.
4. Call 811 or a healthcare provider if symptoms develop, and ask about post-exposure options — Nova Scotia clinicians are well versed in Lyme given the province's risk level.

Official Nova Scotia resources

• Nova Scotia — Lyme disease (CDPC)
• Nova Scotia Health — Tick Service
• 811 Nova Scotia — Tick bites & Lyme disease
• eTick.ca — submit a tick photo for identification
• Public Health Agency of Canada — Lyme disease

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