06/30/2025
Tick Explosion in New Brunswick & Nova Scotia
Successive mild winters are allowing more black legged deer ticks to survive and reproduce in southern NB and Nova Scotia, especially along coastal areas
⚕️Doubling down on disease⚕️
With more female ticks surviving autumn and laying thousands of eggs these provinces are seeing spikes in Lyme disease. But it's more than just lyme disease.
Anaplasmosis is on the rise, babesiosis is sporadic but emerging and Powassan virus (though rare) is also part of the landscape.
In Nova Scotia ticks are already entrenched
With one of the highest tick to human encounter rates in Canada, especially along the South Shore
Some local companies, like Maple Hills Homestead have developed natural tick Repellents for humans and pets such as Coastal Bug Guard (for humans) and Tick off Laddie (for pets). These natural tick repellents are safe, eco friendly options to counter growing concerns. Pet owners should also maintain regular flea and tick prevention prescribed by their veterinarian
Prevention is key!
Health officials urge:
👉Light coloured, long sleeved clothing
👉DEET or picaridin based repellents or, alternatively, natural Lemon Grass and tea tree based repellents.
🐾 Note: check to make sure ingredients in pet products are indeed pet safe.
👉Staying on trails, avoiding tall grass
👉Regular tick checks for humans and pets
👉Removing ticks promptly with tweezers
🎯 If you or your pet are bitten by a tick and develop a bullseye rash or other symptoms contact your health provider immediately.
