As the weather warms and we spend more time outdoors, it’s important to stay aware of one small but serious health concern: ticks. These tiny arachnids are more than just a nuisance—they can carry bacteria, parasites, and viruses that affect both humans and pets.
At Marda Loop Wellness, we want you to enjoy Alberta’s trails and parks with peace of mind. Here’s what you need to know about tick season, how to avoid bites, and what to do if you’ve been bitten—plus how Naturopathic care can help if you’ve been exposed.
🕷 What Are Ticks, and Where Are They Found in Alberta?
Ticks are small, blood-feeding arachnids (related to spiders) that latch onto people or animals who brush against tall grasses, bushes, or forest edges.
Common tick habitats around Calgary:
- Tall grass, wooded areas, and brush-lined trails
- Dog parks and off-leash areas
- River valleys, ravines, and backyards with wildlife activity
Ticks found in southern Alberta:
- Rocky Mountain wood tick
- American dog tick
- Blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) – less common, but most associated with Lyme disease
Tick activity begins early in spring and peaks in early summer. Nymphs (immature ticks) are extremely small—about the size of a poppy seed—and are more likely to transmit infection because they often go unnoticed.
🦠 Tick-Borne Illnesses You Should Know About
Ticks can carry a variety of pathogens, including:
- Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)
- Babesiosis (a parasite that infects red blood cells)
- Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis (bacterial infections)
- Bartonella (often underrecognized, possibly tick vector)
- Rickettsia (linked to Rocky Mountain spotted fever)
Important: Not everyone who contracts Lyme disease or a tick-borne infection will develop the classic bullseye rash (erythema migrans). Many people never notice a rash at all, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Because symptoms can be vague or delayed—such as fatigue, brain fog, or joint pain—testing the tick itself is often the best way to assess your risk early on.
🛡 Prevention: How to Avoid Tick Bites
You don’t need to avoid the outdoors—you just need smart prevention:
- Wear long sleeves and pants while hiking or gardening
- Tuck pants into socks and stay on marked trails
- Use tick repellents: DEET, picaridin, or natural options
- Check your body, pets, and kids thoroughly after outdoor activity
- Shower within two hours of being outside to remove ticks that have not yet attached
🧰 Bitten by a Tick? Here’s What to Do
Remove it properly:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick close to the skin
- Pull upward slowly and steadily—don’t twist or crush it
- Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol
- Watch a video on tick removal
Save the tick for testing:
- Place it in a small sealed container or ziplock bag
- Label with the date, your name, and location of the bite
- Reach out to us—we can help you submit the tick for lab testing to identify any pathogens it may carry.
Why test the tick? While the blacklegged tick is most commonly linked to Lyme disease, other tick species can also carry and transmit Lyme and other tick-borne infections. Testing the tick is the most reliable way to identify which pathogens may have been transmitted—often before any symptoms appear. This information is essential to guide your next steps, whether it involves watchful monitoring or early, proactive treatment.
🌿 Naturopathic Support After a Tick Bite
Even before test results return, our team can help support your body’s natural defenses and reduce your risk of post-bite complications. We may recommend:
- Immune-supportive herbs and supplements (e.g. andrographis, cat’s claw, astragalus)
- Detoxification support (especially liver and lymphatic drainage)
- Early symptom tracking and diagnostic testing if needed
- Collaboration with our Nurse Practitioner if conventional antibiotics are required
If symptoms persist, our integrative approach addresses lingering fatigue, inflammation, nervous system impacts, and gut imbalances—common in chronic tick-borne illness.
⚠️ Don’t Underestimate Spring Ticks
Many assume ticks are a summer problem—but spring is peak season, especially for nymph-stage ticks that are tiny, stealthy, and more likely to go unnoticed.
Early action matters: removing a tick within 24–36 hours dramatically lowers the risk of disease transmission. But if you’ve been bitten, saving the tick and reaching out for support is just as important.
✅ In Summary
- Ticks are active in Calgary, especially in spring and early summer.
- They may carry Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
- Not everyone gets the bullseye rash—symptoms can be delayed or subtle.
- You can’t tell if a tick carries infection without testing the tick.
- Proper removal, testing, and early action make a big difference.
- Our clinic offers naturopathic and integrative support for prevention, early care, and long-term symptom management.
📞 Concerned About a Tick Bite? We’re Here to Help.
If you or your child has been bitten by a tick—or if you’re unsure what to do—contact Marda Loop Wellness right away. We’ll guide you through safe removal, tick testing, and personalized next steps to keep you and your family well.
Note: This blog is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for concerns about tick exposure or symptoms.
