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Ticks make early return to Alberta

Ticks are everywhere in Alberta and this year twice as many are being turned in for testing to see if they carry Lyme disease.

Daniel Fitzgerald with Alberta Agriculture explains why there’s so many.

“Our best guess is that because the winter was so mild and that spring came so early and winter started late, a lot of ticks didn’t get killed off over the winter,” Fitzgerald said. “They were ready to get up and at us early in the spring.”

Although the pests are most commonly found in tall grass or forested areas, Fitzpatrick said most tick reports come from Calgary and Edmonton.

If you find one on you and it’s attached, Fitzgerald said grab it as close to the head as possible and pull steadily to remove it, then wash the area and keep an eye out for signs of Lyme disease, including fatigue, fever or chills, numbness and a skin rash.

For pets, it’s best to take them to a vet, who can have the tick sent for testing.

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