Arachnid · High Risk
Black-legged tick
The black-legged tick is a small, blood-sucking arthropod and the primary vector of Lyme disease in Quebec. Active starting in the spring, it attaches itself to the skin during walks in the forest or through tall grass and can transmit bacteria if it remains attached for several hours.
3–5 MM · BROWN-BLACK, OVAL SHAPE
§1Distinctive features
How to identify it
The black-legged tick is tiny, with a flattened oval body and eight dark legs. When unfed, the female measures 3 to 5 mm; after feeding, she swells and turns bluish-gray. The male, which is smaller and darker, rarely feeds.
§2Habitat
Where to find it
It is found at the edge of the forest, in tall grass, ferns, and fallen leaves. It climbs on vegetation and waits for a host to pass by. Wooded areas, trails, and courtyards lined with shrubs in southern Quebec are its preferred habitats.
§3Reproduction
Lifecycle
Without intervention, an infestation can double in size in just a few weeks.
§4What to look out for
Signs of infestation
- Ticks found on clothing or the skin after an outing
- Painless bite with the tick still attached
- Target-shaped redness around the bite
- Presence of deer or rodents near the property
§5Why act fast
Risks
- Transmission of Lyme Disease
- Other infections (anaplasmosis, babesiosis)
- Skin Reactions and Risks to Pets
§6Prevention
How to avoid it
- Mow the short grass and clear away the tall weeds
- Create a strip of mulch or gravel between the wood and the lawn
- Wear long pants and tuck the bottoms into your socks when you're in the forest
- Check your skin, children, and pets after every outing
§7Pro method
How MW works
Inspection
Site inspection to identify high-risk areas: forest edges, tall grass, rodent shelters, and wildlife corridors.
Preparation
Targeted treatment of outlying areas and dense vegetation where ticks lie in wait for their hosts.
Treatment
Land management recommendations: mowing, mulching, and rodent and deer management to reduce tick habitat.
Follow-up
Seasonal monitoring in the spring and fall to keep tick populations under control.
§8We answer you
Frequently asked questions
Does the black-legged tick transmit Lyme disease?
Yes. It is the main vector for Lyme disease in Quebec. The risk increases if the tick remains attached for more than 24 hours.
How do you remove a tick that's attached to the skin?
Grasp it close to the skin with fine-tipped tweezers and pull slowly, without twisting. Then disinfect the area and keep an eye on it.
When are ticks most active in Quebec?
From spring to fall, especially during mild, humid weather. The nymphs are particularly active in early summer.
React quickly, sleep well.
The longer the infestation lasts, the more expensive it becomes.