Groundhog tick (Ixodes cookei)

Tue, 17/10/2023 by vanessa farnsworth

Groundhog tick

Groundhog ticks are widespread throughout much of southern Ontario and Quebec as well as in other southerly locations in eastern Canada where they make their homes in the dens of their hosts as far west as Manitoba. They look remarkably like blacklegged ticks in terms of size and other physical characteristics, so much so that the average person has difficulty telling them apart. One hint that you may be looking at a groundhog tick and not a blacklegged tick is that peak activity for adult groundhog ticks is in mid-summer while adult blacklegged ticks are most active in spring and fall.

American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis)

Thu, 14/09/2023 by vanessa farnsworth

American dog tick

Today I'm going to introduce you to a domestic tick that you've probably already encountered even if you didn't know its identity.

American dog ticks are large, reddish-to-greyish brown ticks that are fairly easy to spot. As their common name suggests, dogs are an important host for adult American dog ticks although this tick species is neither restricted to the US nor does it rely solely on dogs for the blood it needs to propel its lifecycle.

NEW SERIES: Know your ticks

Fri, 25/08/2023 by vanessa farnsworth

Rocky Mountain Wood Tick

Of the roughly 40 tick species known to make their home in Canada, there are nine that are capable of transmitting bacteria, viruses, and/or protozoa to humans and domestic animals. Non-infectious secretions from the salivary glands of some species can also cause paralysis, allergic reactions and/or immune system suppression.

The Lyme-climate connection

Sat, 15/04/2023 by vanessa farnsworth

An acorn lying on the ground

Climate change is a huge topic for Canadians to wrap their brains around and, frankly, most of us don’t have time to delve into the specifics. If you ask the average Canadian what the impact of climate change will be on their lives, most have no trouble stating that it will cause temperatures to rise, glaciers to melt, and forests to be reduced to ash. 

The Lyme disease-ME/CFS connection

Mon, 20/02/2023 by vanessa farnsworth

Doctor reviewing data on smart phone

When the Chronic Complex Disease Program (CCDP) first opened its doors at BC Women’s Hospital in 2013, it was almost immediately dubbed the “Lyme clinic” by many in the media as well as in the Lyme community even though it was clear from the outset that Lyme disease would be just one of three illnesses being serviced by the clinic. The other two are fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

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