Ticks, Lyme Disease, and the Great Outdoors

By Tricia, Clinical Herbalist

I completed my Master’s thesis on ticks and Lyme disease. Through that research, I learned a great deal about ticks, Lyme disease, prevention, testing, treatment, and the ongoing discussions surrounding tick-borne illness.

The biggest takeaway? Get outside.

Nature remains one of the greatest medicines available to us.

Hiking, gardening, camping, foraging, fishing, and simply spending time outdoors can benefit our physical health, mental well-being, and connection to the natural world.

Understanding ticks doesn’t mean avoiding nature. It means being informed.

Why Are We Hearing More About Ticks?

Across Canada, tick populations have expanded over the past several decades. Milder winters, changing climate patterns, wildlife movement, and migratory birds have all contributed to their spread.

The provinces with the highest risk for Lyme disease and established blacklegged tick populations include:

• Nova Scotia

• New Brunswick

• Quebec

• Ontario

• Southern Manitoba

Alberta is not considered a Lyme disease hotspot. However, ticks are present in Alberta, and occasional Lyme disease cases do occur. Albertans also travel to higher-risk regions throughout Canada and the United States.

Where Are Ticks Found?

One of the biggest misconceptions about ticks is that they fall from trees.

They don’t.

Ticks do not fly, jump, or drop from above.

Instead, they wait on grasses, shrubs, brush, leaf litter, and low vegetation. When a person or animal brushes past, the tick grabs on and begins searching for a place to attach.

Ticks are commonly found in:

• Tall grass

• Forest edges

• Brushy areas

• Shrubbery

• Leaf litter

• Areas frequented by wildlife

Walking on established trails may reduce your chances of exposure, but ticks can also be found in parks, campgrounds, river valleys, gardens, and even backyards.

Tick Bite Prevention

Before heading outdoors, think about where you’re going.

If you’re planning to hike through tall grass, forage off-trail, hunt, camp, off path plant walks with me (wink), work in brush, or spend time in dense vegetation, consider taking a few extra precautions:

• Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

• Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to spot.

• Tuck pants into socks when moving through tall grass or brush.

• Carry a tick remover in your backpack, vehicle, or first aid kit.

• Check pets regularly if they accompany you outdoors.

The goal isn’t to make outdoor activities complicated.

It’s simply to match your level of protection to your level of exposure.

Choosing a Tick Repellent

Health Canada recommends insect repellents containing DEET or Icaridin (Picaridin).

Personally, I prefer Icaridin-based repellents. They are effective against ticks, generally well tolerated, and many people find them more pleasant to use.

Some individuals choose natural alternatives such as:

• Oil of lemon eucalyptus

• Geranium essential oil

• Cedarwood essential oil

• Citronella

While these may offer some repellency, they generally do not provide the same level or duration of protection against ticks as Icaridin or DEET.

Do a Tick Check

After spending time outdoors:

• Check your entire body.

• Look behind the knees.

• Check under the arms.

• Examine around the waist.

• Check behind the ears.

• Inspect the scalp and hairline.

• Check children carefully.

• Examine pets before they come indoors.

The sooner a tick is found and removed, the lower the risk of disease transmission.

What About Your Clothing?

Ticks don’t always attach immediately. Sometimes they remain on clothing before finding an opportunity to attach.

After spending time in tick habitat:

• Remove outdoor clothing as soon as practical.

• Place clothing in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes.

• Check backpacks, hats, footwear, and outdoor gear.

Bonus Tip: Carry a lint roller in your knapsack or vehicle. Rolling your clothing after walking through tall grass or brush may help remove ticks that haven’t attached yet. While it’s not a replacement for a tick check, it can be another useful tool in your tick-prevention kit.

These simple habits can help reduce the chance of bringing a tick into your home.

What To Do If You Find a Tick

Don’t panic.

Using a tick remover or fine-point tweezers:

1. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.

2. Pull upward slowly and steadily.

3. Avoid twisting or crushing the tick.

4. Clean the area afterward.

Avoid home remedies such as burning the tick, petroleum jelly, nail polish, or other methods that may delay removal.

Prompt removal is the priority.

Save the Tick

If possible, place the tick in a sealed container or zip-top bag.

Record:

• The date

• Where you were when exposed

• Approximately how long the tick may have been attached

You may also wish to photograph the tick and bite site.

Don’t Wait for Symptoms

One of the most important lessons from my thesis research is that symptoms do not always appear immediately.

Some individuals develop symptoms days or weeks after a tick bite. Others never develop the classic bull’s-eye rash that many people associate with Lyme disease.

In fact, not everyone with Lyme disease develops a rash at all.

Symptoms may include:

• Fever

• Chills

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Muscle aches

• Joint pain

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Brain fog

• Numbness or tingling

• Facial weakness or facial palsy

If you find an attached tick, consider contacting your healthcare provider, especially if the tick appeared engorged, was attached for an unknown period of time, or was acquired in an area known to have Lyme disease.

Lyme Disease Testing

Many people assume a blood test can immediately confirm Lyme disease after a tick bite.

Unfortunately, it isn’t always that simple.

The most common testing approach in Canada uses an ELISA screening test followed by a confirmatory immunoblot if needed.

One challenge is that these tests detect antibodies produced by the immune system—not the bacteria itself.

In the early stages of infection, antibodies may not yet be detectable. As a result, testing can sometimes be negative even when symptoms are present.

This is one reason healthcare providers consider symptoms, exposure history, physical findings, and testing together when evaluating possible Lyme disease.

Lyme Disease: Early Treatment Matters

One of the most important lessons from my research was the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

If Lyme disease is suspected, medical evaluation should not be delayed.

Antibiotics remain the standard treatment and are highly effective when Lyme disease is identified and treated early.

As herbalists, our role is not to replace appropriate medical care. I strongly encourage anyone experiencing symptoms following a tick bite—or anyone concerned about possible Lyme disease exposure—to seek medical assessment promptly.

Lyme Disease Isn’t the Only Tick-Borne Illness

Ticks can carry more than Lyme disease.

Depending on the region, ticks may also transmit:

• Anaplasmosis

• Babesiosis

• Ehrlichiosis

• Powassan virus

• Other tick-borne pathogens

Some individuals may experience co-infections alongside Lyme disease, which can influence symptoms and recovery.

The Herbal Perspective

During my thesis research, I learned a great deal from the work of herbalist and author Stephen Harrod Buhner, whose book Healing Lyme influenced many practitioners interested in supporting individuals affected by tick-borne illness.

Buhner encouraged herbalists to think beyond the infection itself and consider inflammation, immune function, nervous system health, connective tissue support, and overall resilience during recovery.

Prevention Begins Before a Tick Bite

As herbalists, we often focus on supporting the terrain—the overall health and resilience of the individual.

While no herb can guarantee protection from Lyme disease, maintaining good health may help support immune function and recovery should illness occur.

Lifestyle practices may include:

• Spending time outdoors regularly

• Getting adequate sleep

• Managing stress

• Regular physical activity

• Eating a nutrient-dense diet

• Maintaining healthy vitamin D levels

• Supporting a healthy microbiome

Nutritional Foundations

A diet focused on whole foods may help support immune function and overall health.

Examples include:

• Vegetables and fruits

• Quality protein sources

• Healthy fats

• Fermented foods when appropriate

• Adequate hydration

Many herbalists also encourage reducing highly processed foods, excess sugar, and excessive alcohol consumption as part of an overall wellness strategy.

Herbs Commonly Used For Prevention and Immune Support

Depending on the individual, herbalists may consider:

• Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

• Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

• Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

• Medicinal mushrooms such as turkey tail and chaga

These herbs are generally discussed in the context of supporting immune function, resilience, and overall health rather than preventing Lyme disease specifically.

Herbs Commonly Discussed in Lyme-Focused Herbalism

Herbalists working with tick-borne illness may discuss herbs such as:

• Japanese Knotweed

• Cat's Claw

• Andrographis

• Cryptolepis

• Chinese Skullcap

• Eleuthero

• Red Root

• Cordyceps

These herbs may be used to support inflammation, immune function, nervous system health, recovery, energy, and overall resilience.

However, herbs should be viewed as supportive tools rather than substitutes for medical diagnosis and treatment.

If Lyme disease is suspected, prompt medical evaluation and appropriate antibiotic treatment remain essential.

In my view, the best approach combines prevention, awareness, appropriate medical care when needed, and the thoughtful use of herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle practices.

This might seem like an odd time to promote my plant walks in an article about ticks.

But here’s my perspective.

The risk of spending too much time indoors is probably far greater than the risk of encountering a tick.

Many of us are dealing with stress, anxiety, loneliness, lack of movement, too much screen time, and not enough connection with nature.

The answer isn’t to avoid the forest.

It’s to understand the risks, take a few simple precautions, and get outside anyway.

Carry a tick remover.

Check yourself when you get home.

Know the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease.

Then go enjoy the woods.

Learn about the plants.

Breathe some fresh air.

Spend time with good people.

Move your body.

Laugh a little.

Because the benefits of spending time in nature far outweigh the risks.

And if you’d like to learn about our beautiful green neighbours while doing all of the above, I’d love to have you join me on one or all of my plant walks.

More information on ticks can be found, here.

Could wood chips be a weapon against ticks? Read more, here.

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