Ticks in Fall: What Canadian Campers Need to Know
Most campers put the bugs away in September. Adult blacklegged ticks do the opposite: they are active again in fall, and a mild October weekend in leaf litter is exactly their weather. The good news is that nearly everything that protects you is cheap, small and already part of how you pack.
Quick Answer
Adult blacklegged ticks are active in spring and again in fall, until the temperature is consistently below 4 °C. Wear light-coloured long sleeves and pants, and tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants. Use a Health Canada approved repellent with DEET or icaridin as directed. Do a daily full-body check, bathe soon after coming in, and run worn clothes through a hot dryer. If you find a tick, remove it with fine-point tweezers as close to the skin as possible, pulling straight out.
01Why Fall Is Tick Season Too
The comfortable assumption is that ticks belong to summer. The public health guidance says otherwise. Nova Scotia's health department notes that adult blacklegged ticks are most active in spring and fall, and that they remain active until the temperature is consistently below 4 °C. Ottawa Public Health says the same: adult ticks are most active in spring and again in late summer and fall.
That matters for exactly the kind of trip this blog is about. A mild October weekend in the woods, with leaf litter underfoot, is the kind of conditions in which adult ticks are looking for a host. The Government of Canada describes adult ticks as about the size of a sesame seed, and notes that their bites are usually painless, so you may not know you have been bitten.
Field Note
Risk varies a great deal by region and changes over time. Your provincial health authority publishes current risk areas for your destination, which is a better guide than a general rule. Look it up before you travel, the same way you check a fire ban.
02Where Ticks Wait, and Where They Do Not
Ticks do not jump or fall from trees. They wait on low vegetation and climb onto whatever brushes past. Ontario's health ministry describes blacklegged ticks as living in wooded areas, tall grasses and bushes, and Ottawa Public Health recommends staying on the trails when you hike.
For campers, that translates into small habits rather than avoidance. Stay on the trail and keep to the middle of it. Think twice before pushing through brush to a better view. Choose a pitch on bare or short ground rather than in tall grass, which our guide on where to pitch a tent covers in more detail. And remember that stepping off the path to go to the bathroom, which our guide to going to the bathroom outdoors describes, takes you straight into the vegetation where ticks live.
03Dress for It
Clothing is the first line of defence, and the Government of Canada's guidance is specific. Wear light-coloured long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks. The same page notes that permethrin-treated clothing is now available in Canada, and that its label directions should always be followed.
| What to do | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Wear light-coloured clothing | A tick is easier to see against a pale background |
| Wear long sleeves and long pants | Less bare skin for a tick to reach |
| Tuck pants into socks, shirt into pants | Closes the openings a tick would otherwise crawl through |
| Wear closed footwear and socks | Ticks are mostly picked up at ground level |
One honest observation for gear-minded campers. Dark and camouflage patterns make a tick far harder to spot, which works against the point of wearing light colours. Our camouflage training suit guide is clear about what that garment is for, and a tick-heavy trail is not it. For the rest of the clothing system, our guide to layering for cold and wet weather covers how the pieces work together.
04Repellent, Briefly
Ottawa Public Health recommends a Health Canada approved insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin, applied to exposed skin and clothing. Check that the product label states it is for use against ticks, since not every repellent is, and follow the directions for age and frequency exactly. Always read the label, which is the authoritative source for the product you actually own.
05Camp Habits That Keep Ticks Out
Most of the protection happens after the hike, not during it. Ticks that reach camp on clothing and gear can find you later, so the routine matters as much as the clothing.
- Leave boots and outer layers in the porch, not the sleeping area
- Shake out and check packs, towels and jackets before they go in the tent
- Bathe or shower soon after coming in, if the campground has facilities
- Run worn clothing through a hot dryer cycle when you get home
- Check pets daily, since they can carry ticks into your camp
- Keep sleeping bags off the floor and away from the walls
Manitoba Health notes that a hot dryer cycle will kill ticks and recommends checking items such as backpacks and towels that may have touched vegetation. The Government of Canada adds that pets cannot spread Lyme disease directly to people, but they can bring infected ticks into your home or yard. If your dog is coming along, our guide to camping with a dog covers park rules, food storage and what to pack for them.
06The Daily Check
The Government of Canada recommends a daily full-body tick check on yourself, your children, your pets and your gear. Do it in good light, and ask someone else to check the places you cannot see. Manitoba Health lists the places ticks are hardest to spot: the armpits, the belly button, the groin, behind the knees, places where clothing is tight such as watch straps and underwear elastics, and in the hair.
Children deserve extra attention, since their heads are closer to the ground. The hairline and behind the ears are the places to look first.
07If You Find One
Do not panic, and do not delay. The Government of Canada's guidance is to remove an attached tick immediately with clean fine-point tweezers. Ontario's fact sheet adds the technique: grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can and pull it straight out, gently but firmly, without squeezing it, jerking or twisting. If parts of the mouth break off and remain in the skin, the Government of Canada advises removing them with the tweezers if you can. If you cannot, leave them alone and let the skin heal.
Afterwards, wash the bite and your hands with soap and water, and disinfect the area. Ontario's guidance also advises that, before disposing of the tick, you call or check the website of your local public health unit. Contact a health care provider, or your provincial health line, if you have been bitten and are unsure what to do, or if you develop symptoms afterwards.
Critical Safety
This guide is general information, not medical advice. A Lyme disease vaccine is not available in Canada, which makes preventing the bite the main protection. For current risk areas, symptoms and what to do after a bite, use the official guidance: Government of Canada on preventing tick bites and Ottawa Public Health on Lyme disease.
08Frequently Asked Questions
Are ticks active in the fall in Canada?
Yes. Provincial health guidance notes that adult blacklegged ticks are most active in spring and again in fall, and that they stay active until the temperature is consistently below 4 °C.
Do I need to worry about ticks if I stay at a campground?
Less than on a backcountry trail, but not none. Ticks live in tall grass, brush and leaf litter, which many campgrounds have. Staying on paths and checking yourself daily covers most of the risk.
What colour clothing is best for avoiding ticks?
Light-coloured clothing, because the Government of Canada notes that it helps you spot ticks easily.
How do I remove a tick?
Use clean fine-point tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out without squeezing or twisting. Wash the area with soap and water and disinfect it. If you are unsure, contact a health care provider.
Can my dog bring ticks into the tent?
Yes. Pets cannot spread Lyme disease directly to people, but they can carry infected ticks into camp. Check them daily and talk to your veterinarian about prevention.
The best tick bite is the one you never get.
ARWE · FIELD JOURNAL
Explore Outdoor Clothing & Apparel