Local health units want you to be prepared when heading out to enjoy the outdoors for black legged ticks which can carry Lyme disease.
The Renfrew County and District Health Unit’s Manager of Environmental Health Mike Grace says there are some myths out there on how to deal with ticks.
If you’re taking a trip into the bush some precautions you can take include covering up feet and ankles, wearing long sleeves where applicable, applying insect repellent containing deet and checking yourself after a trip into the bush.
He says if you do find a tick on yourself you should remove it with fine-tipped tweezers and bring it to a local health unit to be tested for Lyme disease.
Grace says you should always check your pets after an excursion, as sometimes ticks can make their way into your home through them.