The bloodsucking tick season may have been delayed a bit by the cooler spring, but the pests should be stepping up their onslaught as the weather finally warms up.

Phil Curry, entomologist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, said ticks have been active in the province since the snow left and the temperature warmed up to around 4ºC, but their movements have been pretty slow due to the continuing cold weather. He said they are bound to become more bothersome now as it begins to get hotter outside and people start hiking and camping in areas where the ticks are.

He noted ticks have been established in certain areas of the province for quite a while and their populations seem to go up and down. Curry said this makes it hard to tell if Saskatchewan is facing a bad tick season this year or not.

“What’s happening in the last 10 to 15 years is that our most common ticks, in the eastern part of the province it’s the American dog tick or some people call it a wood tick and in the western part of the province it’s the Rocky Mountain wood tick…they’ve expanded their range northward,” said Curry, noting ticks are becoming established as far north as Prince Albert and Melfort. “When people think ticks are increasing, they are…in certain areas. Whereas in other areas like in southeastern Saskatchewan they’ve had ticks for many many years.”

Curry said the area around Davidson is starting to experience increased tick activity particularly down near river valleys. He said the bugs are being transported into these areas by migrating birds and deer and even people visiting parks and campsites who drop off ticks.

“It takes them a few years to become established, but they do become established,” he said. “The American dog tick likes more bushy woodland areas whereas the Rocky Mountain wood tick is more down in the river valleys. It can stand a little more hot dry weather.

“We have found small numbers of the blacklegged deer tick in the province. That is the one that can carry Lyme disease. They get dropped off from migrating birds and we occasionally find them as well, so our message is avoid getting tick bites of any sort.”

There are several things people can do to prevent getting fed on by ticks such as if a person is walking along a nature trail or through tall grass they should wear light coloured clothing. Curry said this helps in noticing the “easily visible” pests so they could be removed before they strike.

He said walkers should also wear long sleeves and long pants when out enjoying the sun. Tucking pant legs into the socks is also recommended as is wearing closed toe footwear.

To read more please see the May 26 print edition of The Davidson Leader.