Tick season off to an ‘early and very rapid start’ in N.S.: Biologist

As temperatures rise, ticks become more active.

After a long, cold and snowy winter, Maritimers are trying to make the most of spring.

“It’s awesome. We’re out here earlier, but so is she and she’s in the thick of it,” said dog owner Matt Stadnyk.

While the warmer weather is welcome, it does mean ticks are becoming more active.

“We started the medication a lot earlier than usual,” Stadnyk added.

Mike Graham is also on the lookout for ticks with his dog.

“When we get home, we just do a little belly rub and see if I can find anything because they like to get in all the nooks and crannies,” said Graham.

He’s grateful he hasn’t come across any ticks yet, but as it turns out, this spring is already off to a particularly bad start.

“This is an early and very rapid start to our tick season. There are few things that feed into that. One is that what ticks really like is cool, damp weather, and we’ve had a lot of damp recently,” said Mount Allison University biology professor Vett Lloyd.

“The other factor is we had more snow cover than previous winters, and that protects the ticks to some extent as well.”

Lloyd also noted because of the ‘tough winter,’ lots of people are going outside and therefore encountering ticks while walking in the woods or gardening.

Tick-borne illnesses

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Nova Scotia accounted for nearly half of the Lyme disease cases in Canada in 2024 with 2,350.

“Nova Scotia has a lovely climate. It’s what’s wonderful about Nova Scotia, but the ticks love it too,” said Lloyd.

According to PHAC, New Brunswick reported 111 Lyme disease cases in 2024, and Prince Edward Island accounted for four.

Unfortunately, Lyme disease is not the only concern when it comes to ticks.

“There’s an increasing number of ticks that are infected with another bacterial pathogen called anaplasma, and it causes an absolutely horrendous disease, anaplasmosis, that basically attacks the blood cells and the blood vessels. People can usually end up in the ER department,” said Lloyd.

“So, yet another reason to consider ticks repulsive and get them off you quickly as possible.”

Tick prevention

While the thought of tick-borne illnesses can be scary, there are ways to protect yourself.

“When you’ve been out in the long grass or short grass even, the forest, check yourself afterwards. Use repellent sprays. That’s a useful tool, and if you see if you see a freckle with legs, get it off you. Go to a pharmacy immediately,” said Lloyd.

“Ultimately awareness is going to do it, awareness of people to protect themselves and awareness within the medical community to recognize infection and respond early, quickly and effectively.”

Lloyd also recommends that dog owners in Nova Scotia should give their pets flea and tick medication year-round, something dog owner Shannon Harrison already does.

“I just don’t want to take a chance. Our winters have been so mild lately that you never know,” said Harrison.

While tick season is technically all year in Nova Scotia due to the climate, the majority of cases of Lyme disease in the province – and across Canada – are reported between June and August.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page