The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is dragging for ticks today.
Public Health Inspector Jennifer Lee says they're looking for black-legged ticks, as those are the ones potentially carrying bacteria which can give you Lyme Disease. So far, 47 of them have been submitted.
"We are seeing more ticks being submitted to the health unit this year, so far," explains Lee. "But it can be attributed to the weather change -- a number of reasons."
Lee says they'll be dragging for ticks in a few locations around Windsor and Essex County, and again in the fall.
The bugs collected by the health unit are submitted to a national micro-biology lab for identification and testing.
In the meantime, if you plan to hike through grassy areas in the region, you're encouraged to wear light-coloured shoes and pants, and take a shower no more than two hours after your activity. You can also pick up a tick remover and a pamphlet from the health unit, which will help you identify different kinds of ticks.
The health unit says, in this region, ticks are most prevalent in the Point Pelee area.
Members of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit drag for ticks at Ojibway Park, May 18, 2016. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)
