• Peel's transition

News Release: June 25, 2018

Tips for a Tick-free Summer

Two new tick drop-off locations now open for Peel residents

BRAMPTON, ON (June 25, 2018) – With the summer season here, residents should take steps to reduce their exposure to ticks potentially infected with Lyme disease.

The risk of Lyme disease in Peel Region remains low, but despite the relatively small numbers, residents need to remain vigilant in avoiding tick bites.

“The best way to avoid the risk of contracting Lyme disease is to prevent being bitten by a tick,” says Paul Callanan, Director, Health Protection, Region of Peel – Public Health. “Residents are encouraged to wear insect repellent and appropriate clothing when outdoors near areas where ticks live such as wooded areas with leaf litter and long grass,” he added.

Residents can submit ticks to the Region of Peel – Public Health. If you find a tick on your body, you can submit it Monday to Friday to one of the following three convenient locations across the Region of Peel for identification and testing:

• Service Peel, 7120 Hurontario St., Mississauga – 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• NEW - Town of Caledon, Administration Building, 6311 Old Church Rd., Caledon East – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• NEW - Service Peel, 10 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton – 905-799-7700 - 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

It’s important to remember that not all ticks are a risk. Lyme disease is contracted only through the bite of a blacklegged tick. Symptoms can begin to show between three and 30 days including rash, fever, chills, headache and fatigue. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to stopping the disease from becoming serious. If you cannot avoid exposure to tick habitats or frequent outdoor locations and activities, you can avoid bites and risk of infection by:

• Checking your body for ticks and removing attached ticks as soon as possible.
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts that fit tightly around the wrist and long pants tucked into socks.
• Using insect repellant containing DEET on skin and clothing.
• Showering or bathing within two hours of being outdoors to wash away loose ticks.

For more information around tick safety and removing ticks from the skin, visit www.peel-bugbite.ca or call Region of Peel - Public Health at 905-799-7700 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Caledon residents can call toll free at 905-584-2216.

Media Contacts:

Jeff LeMoine
Communications Specialist - Peel Region – Public Health
289-325-4700