As warm weather invites us outdoors across Ottawa and Orleans, it’s important to be aware of a hidden summer risk: tick bites. While small in size, ticks can transmit serious illnesses like Lyme disease, making prevention essential for families, pet owners, and outdoor adventurers.
What Are Ticks & Why Should You Care?
Ticks are tiny arachnids found in grassy, wooded, and bushy areas—common throughout the Ottawa region. They attach to skin to feed, often going unnoticed. Some carry bacteria that cause Lyme disease, which is why early detection and prevention are critical.
How to Protect Yourself from Ticks
- Dress Smart: Wear long sleeves, pants tucked into socks, and closed shoes in tick-prone areas. Light-coloured clothes help spot ticks more easily.
- Use Repellent: Apply repellents with DEET (like Ben’s) or Permethrin (like PiACTIVE) to skin and clothing.
- Do Daily Tick Checks: Check your body after being outdoors, especially in areas like behind knees, underarms, and scalp.
- Keep Your Yard Safe: Mow grass, remove brush and leaf litter, and create tick-safe zones around your home.
- Protect Your Pets: Use vet-approved tick prevention and check pets after walks or play.
Centrum Pharmacy carries trusted repellents like Ben’s (DEET) and PiACTIVE (Permethrin) — perfect for the local tick season.
Bitten by a Tick? Here’s What to Do:
- Remove the Tick Properly
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull slowly and steadily upward.
- Do not twist or squeeze the tick.
- Clean the bite area with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Avoid myths like burning, petroleum jelly, or nail polish—these increase infection risk.
- Don’t Panic — Take Action
- Save the tick in a sealed bag or container.
- Submit a photo to eTick.ca for identification or bring it to Centrum Pharmacy.
- Dispose of ticks safely by drowning in alcohol or freezing—do not squash them with bare fingers.
- Visit Centrum Pharmacy for Help
- Book a Minor Ailment Consultation with our pharmacist.
- We can assess your risk and provide preventive antibiotics for Lyme disease, if appropriate.
Let us know where you were when bitten, how long the tick was attached, and where on your body the tick was found.
Same-day appointments available. Contact us or book online.
Enjoy Nature, Safely
Summer in Ottawa is beautiful—don’t let tick worries hold you back. With a little preparation and support from Centrum Pharmacy, you can confidently explore the outdoors while staying safe and healthy.
Centrum Pharmacy is here to support your health—every season of the year.
Stay Tick Safe This Summer!
Ottawa + Orleans, it’s tick season—are you protected?
Ticks may be tiny, but they can carry serious diseases like Lyme disease. Here’s how to stay safe while enjoying the outdoors:
- Dress Smart: Long sleeves + pants tucked into socks
- Use Repellent: We carry Ben’s (DEET) + PiACTIVE (Permethrin)
- Do Daily Tick Checks: Especially behind knees, scalp, armpits
- Protect Pets: Use tick prevention + check after walks
Bitten by a Tick?
- Remove with fine tweezers — slow + steady
- Do NOT burn or squeeze
- Save the tick in a ziplock or pill bottle
- Submit to eTick.ca or bring it in
- Book a Minor Ailment Consult with our pharmacist
- You may qualify for preventive antibiotics for Lyme disease
Visit Centrum Pharmacy for trusted repellents and fast care
Book online or contact us for a same-day appointment
Come for the Convenience, Stay for the Service.
Caring for Your Family Since 1999
Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider first. Full Disclaimer.
