Ontario tick overview
Last updated: January 24, 2026
This page is an educational overview of tick exposure and resources in Ontario. For the most current risk maps and local guidance, use the official Ontario links below.
Key takeaways
- Blacklegged ticks matter most: Ontario’s Lyme disease risk is associated with the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis).
- Risk is location-specific: established risk areas and recommendations can change over time.
- Prompt removal helps: remove ticks as soon as you find them and monitor for symptoms.
Cite this section
All About Ticks. Ticks in Ontario. Updated 2026-01-24. Sources: Public Health Ontario and Ontario government tick-borne disease resources.
Primary sources: Public Health Ontario - Lyme disease, Ontario.ca - Tick-borne diseases
Common tick species (Ontario)
- Blacklegged tick / deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) — key species for Lyme disease risk in Ontario (see Public Health Ontario).
Source: Public Health Ontario - Lyme disease
Seasonality (practical guidance)
Tick activity and exposure risk varies by life stage and by local conditions. In general, be extra vigilant during warmer months and anytime you’re in brushy, wooded, or edge habitats.
Tick-borne diseases to know about
Ontario resources commonly emphasize Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses where blacklegged ticks are present. Use the Ontario and Public Health Ontario resources below for current disease lists, maps, and recommendations.
Official Ontario resources
- Public Health Ontario - Lyme disease (risk areas, guidance)
- Ontario.ca - Tick-borne diseases
- PHAC - Lyme disease (Canada)