Sask. residents encouraged to take precautions heading into tick season
![Tick season has arrived Tick season has arrived](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2021/5/18/tick-season-has-arrived-1-5433777-1713650337203.jpg)
As the weather gets warmer, the province is reminding people to take precautions to reduce their exposure to ticks.
"As we head outside to start enjoying the warmer weather, it is important to protect ourselves from the potential risk of tick bites," Medical Officer of Health Deputy Chief Dr. Julie Kryzanowski said in a news release from the province.
"By taking simple precautions, we can protect ourselves and our families when enjoying time outdoors.”
To prevent tick bites, the Ministry of Health recommends that people:
- Wear light-coloured clothes so ticks can be easily seen
- Wear pants, long-sleeved shirts, and shoes that don’t expose bare feet
- Pull their socks over their pant legs to prevent ticks from crawling up legs
- Use insect repellents that contain DEET or Icaridin on clothes and skin
- Shower or bathe as soon as possible after being outside
In Saskatchewan, the risk of exposure to Lyme disease is low, as most ticks found in the province are the American dog tick or wood tick, the release said. That species is active from mid-April to the end of July and doesn’t transmit the disease.
The presence of blacklegged ticks, which can cause Lyme disease, was discovered in Saskatchewan in 2023, but the province said there is no evidence of a reproducing blacklegged tick population at this time.
If a tick is found, it should be removed right away using fine-tipped tweezers. Once the tick has been removed, it is recommended that the area be washed with soap and water and then disinfected with rubbing alcohol or an iodine swab.
There is an online system that people can submit photographs to, to get identification of the type of tick they see. It is recommended that the tick is kept in a secure container and stored in the freezer while awaiting results, in case administrators request more information.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.