Lyme disease alert

[Leslie]

Attentive birders will already know that the Ontario Ministry of Health is warning about Lyme disease in Ontario
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/lyme/default.aspx
Infected deer ticks may be anywhere in Ontario but are endemic at Long Point, Point Pelee, PEI Point (Prince Edward County), St. Lawrence Islands, Rondeau, Turkey Point, Wainfleet Bog.  All these are national or provincial parks or conservation areas, which I suspect reflects the presence of observers more than the incidence of infected ticks.
Advice:  Be aware & know the symptoms.  Prevention advice includes covering up (much easier now that the weather has turned cooler) and wearing insecticide with DEET.  (Presumably the risk of Lyme disease is greater than the toxicity risk from DEET.)

[Cody]

Another good tip is to use Common sense!  Don't walk through Corn Stalks,etc.. as they would be everywhere there. I do not know what Toronto is like, but here in Grimsby they are everywhere and not only on the escarpment. Be aware of your surroundings.  

Note: they are most often sitting still while on humans which makes them easier to get off. Also, check your pets.... after birding in a tick area I have found them in my house, on my pets and even in my bedroom which was not very nice to see

I am clearly exaggerating by using corn stalks as an example, but you know what I mean.