As the vibrant colors of fall descend upon northwestern Ontario, a troubling warning emerges from public health officials: despite cooling temperatures, tick activity is unsettlingly on the rise. With a staggering five out of eight blacklegged ticks tested in September showing positive signs for Lyme Disease, outdoor enthusiasts are urged to remain vigilant as their autumn adventures continue.

Between late September and late October, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) received 21 blacklegged ticks, a notable figure consistent with the spring season's submissions. “There’s a common misconception that frost eliminates tick risks,” warns Ken Deacon, an entomologist and vector-borne disease program coordinator at TBDHU. “However, blacklegged ticks remain active even at temperatures as low as four degrees Celsius.” This chilling fact shatters the belief that winter’s arrival signals safety from these disease-carrying pests.

John Deacon’s concerns echo throughout the region, particularly as blacklegged ticks are known vectors for a range of serious tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, Powassan virus, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis. In an alarming turn of events, from the eight ticks submitted for testing this fall, five were confirmed as carriers of Lyme disease, alongside one tick that tested positive for a newly identified species of bacteria related to Lyme disease.

What’s more, the ticking time bomb of tick populations continues to grow in the region. First identified in Thunder Bay District in 2005, blacklegged ticks are now prevalent enough to warrant risk classification by Public Health Ontario, raising alarms for residents in nearby Kenora and Rainy River regions. A staggering statistic reveals that over 40 percent of blacklegged ticks in Thunder Bay are infected with Lyme disease, although wood ticks—which do not harbor Lyme disease—still dominate the local tick population.

The pressing issue of climate change further complicates the situation. A severe, prolonged cold snap could help control tick numbers, but changing climates mean these harsh conditions are becoming less frequent. “As ticks expand their territory northward due to climate change, the reality is we must adapt to live alongside them,” Deacon laments.

The influence of ticks extends beyond humans, reaching into wildlife populations as well. Matthew Robbins, a Fish and Wildlife Biologist with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, reveals that while the impact of tick-borne diseases on wildlife remains minimal, certain species are increasingly vulnerable. Deer and moose, in particular, suffer severe effects; fawns are showing alarming signs of infestation, leading to blindness and weakening due to blood loss.

The situation for moose is also dire, as reports of hundreds of thousands of winter ticks clinging to moose calves paint a harrowing picture. “These conditions can be devastating,” Robbins noted. “An infested calf can become so weakened that it falls prey to starvation or other external dangers.”

Robbins calls on hunters and residents to report any tick-infested wildlife to the Ministry of Natural Resources or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, highlighting community awareness as a vital first line of defense.

To combat the rising tide of ticks, officials strongly urge the public to vigilantly check clothing, skin, and pets for ticks from spring through fall. As we enjoy the beauty of autumn, let’s not forget to stay informed and protected against these persistent pests. Remember—while nature’s beauty flourishes in fall, so do the risks lurking within it!