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Saskatchewan Tick Surge: Experts Warn of Busy Season
9 Jun
Summary
- Experts confirm Saskatchewan is experiencing a higher-than-normal tick year.
- Pet owners report unusually high numbers of ticks found on pets.
- Early mosquito counts suggest it may also be a bad year for mosquitoes.
Saskatchewan is currently in the midst of an unusually active tick season, a phenomenon experts link to climate conditions from one to two years prior, combined with recent weather patterns. Dr. Emily Jenkins, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan, highlighted that a "weird spring" may have contributed to the surge.
Evidence of this heightened tick activity is widespread. Pet owners are reporting finding multiple ticks on their animals, even on cats, which typically self-groom extensively. One veterinary hospital shared a photo of dozens of ticks removed from a small dog found near Martensville.
This high tick abundance is not the only concern for residents. Preliminary mosquito counts in Saskatoon, taken from May 24 to May 30, have doubled compared to the previous year and are nearly five times the 10-year average. While Regina has seen a drop in mosquito populations since a May spike, the overall outlook suggests a potentially challenging insect season.
While most ticks in Saskatchewan are American dog ticks, there is growing concern about the presence of black-legged ticks, known carriers of Lyme disease.
