Guidelines
Identifying Ixodes scapularis

Identifying Ixodes scapularis

Note

Lyme disease is known to be transmitted by Ixodes scapularis ticks (blacklegged tick/deer tick) that carry the Lyme bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi).

Nymphs (poppy seed size) and adult (sesame seed size) tick stages are Lyme vectors. Nymphs are most common due to small size, colour and season. The risk of infection increases with the time the tick has been attached and therefore engorged.

Dog and groundhog ticks do NOT carry and transmit Lyme disease.

Testing ticks for B. burgdorferi is only for surveillance purposes and not for clinical management but can be submitted to Public Health Ontario. Form is available here.