Winter Ticks

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What causes ticks?

Ticks are small spider-like parasites that live on an animal’s skin and suck its blood.

Loss of hair and white appearance indicating winter tick infestation. (inset is a close up of a winter tick) Photo credit: H. Schwantje, BC Environment, Lands & Parks.

Where do ticks occur?

Winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) are commonly found in large numbers on moose and less frequently and less severely on wapiti (elk) and deer.

In the NWT, winter ticks occur occasionally in moose in wooded areas.

What are the signs of ticks?

Ticks are brown and oval-shaped and have eight legs.

They are small (4-5 mm), but can grow 2 to 3 times bigger when filled with blood.

Ticks are most often found on the neck, shoulders and back, and sometimes on the stomach and around the anus.

The larval form of the tick grows on moose over the winter. By late winter, heavily infected animals may be very thin and large areas of their hair coat may be rubbed off.

Moose can carry thousands of ticks, causing weakness through loss of blood and skin irritation. 

Lymph nodes under the skin may be swollen.

How can I protect myself?

People are not a normal host for winter ticks.

However, tick bites may occur through direct contact with the ticks.

Remove any ticks that may get on you or your clothing.

Can I eat the meat?

Meat from affected animals is suitable for human consumption.

Heavy ticks infestations on moose can reduce the quality of both the hide and the meat.

Samples to collect

Ticks.