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August 27, 2025 - Tick-Talk

Distinguishing tick fact from fiction in Alberta.

In today’s digital age, it can often be hard to identify if what we are seeing online is true or something that has been exaggerated for views. Whether it was a video of a tick the size of an Oreo, a Lyme-disease horror story, or someone suddenly becoming allergic to that red juicy steak, many have been left questioning what they actually know to be true about ticks in Alberta.

Ticks are small, external parasites that attach themselves to the skin and feed off their host's blood. Ticks are often mistaken for insects, but they are actually terrestrial arthropods belonging to the same class as spiders and mites.

In Alberta, it is estimated that there are about 22 species of ticks; these include both soft and hard ticks, but you are more likely to come across a hard tick. Commonly encountered hard ticks in Alberta are the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni), moose or winter tick (D. albipictus), American dog tick (D. variabilis), Rabbit tick (Haemophysalis leporispalustris), blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) or the Ixodes Angustus.

The most likely tick you would find in Clearwater County is the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni). This tick is most active between late March and mid-June, however ticks can be active in temperatures as low as 4 degrees Celsius, so it is possible to see them later in the year. Rocky Mountain wood ticks tolerate dry conditions, and can be found in low brush, tall grass, along game trails, and in wooded areas. 

When talking about ticks, one must also consider their hosts as they are necessary for the survival and reproduction of ticks. Despite what it may seem, humans are not the most preferred host for ticks. Ticks are more likely to be found on bats, birds, moose, elk, cattle, rabbits, mice, and pets. Birds are especially important to note as they can potentially transport disease carrying ticks to Alberta during their migration.

Will I get Lyme disease if I get bit by a tick? To put it simply, it is unlikely to contract Lyme disease from a tick bite in Alberta. Despite the stories one may hear online, a tick bite does not automatically equal a Lyme disease diagnosis. However, all tick bites should be taken seriously as carrier ticks can travel on hosts.

The blacklegged (Ixodes scapularis), or “deer tick,” is the primary tick species that transmits Lyme disease. While we can find these ticks in Alberta, they are not likely to carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease in people. Most reported cases of Lyme disease in Alberta were acquired while travelling outside of the province.

In most instances, ticks need to be attached to their host for several hours to transmit Lyme disease. Additionally, if someone is to get bitten by a tick that did carry the Lyme disease bacteria, the majority can be successfully treated and cured with an early diagnosis and course of antibiotics. 

So, can a tick become the size of an Oreo? While it may be possible to see a very large tick, say on a moose, the hard ticks that we will find on ourselves or on our pets will most often be a lot smaller than an Oreo. After feeding on blood, a tick can significantly increase in size to which point it is considered “engorged,” but it is not likely to ever get that large. It is more plausible to see a tick grow to the size of a small coffee bean after feeding.

What about suddenly becoming allergic to red meat? It is true that there have been cases reported in the United States where someone has developed an allergy to the sugars found in red meat after getting bit by a tick. This is known as Alpha-gal syndrome caused by the Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). This tick is not native to Canada, so it is unlikely that someone would develop this tick-borne allergy here in Alberta.

While it is unlikely that you will get Lyme disease or another disease from a tick in Alberta, it is important to take all tick bites seriously. There is no harm in being too cautious.

There are several things you can do to help prevent tick bites when you are adventuring outdoors: wear insect repellents, wear long sleeved shirts and pants, tuck your pants into your socks, and wear light colours for easy tick identification. 

Check for ticks in your hair, behind your ears, near your elbows and armpits, around your waistline, and even at the back of the knees. Make sure to check over your children and pets well, as they are more likely to have a tick go unnoticed. Use a lint roller to remove ticks from clothing or toss your clothes into the dryer for 15 minutes on high heat to kill any ticks. 

For more information about ticks, visit reputable sites like CanLyme or the Government of Alberta. To help with tick identification, you can send photos of ticks to platforms like eTick.