Okotoks and area can be a hot bed for ticks during the summer months. 

There are two types of ticks you can find in Alberta. One type can carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
 
Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health Martin Lovoie says the ticks that don't carry Lyme disease have been in the area for a long time, and the ticks that carry the  disease  are rare because they are not from Alberta.
 
"We started to see those ticks being imported, they fly on birds and are dropped in the area."

With these Lime disease-carrying ticks being discovered Alberta Health Services created the Submit a Tick Program.
 
This program allows for Ticks that are found on a person or pet can be submitted for testing.
 
"We are finding the rare tick here and there that carry the bacteria, and they are either provided by vets, doctors or people through the program," Lovoie says.
 
While these ticks are rare, being bit by any tick is not a fun experience.
 
Lovoie says that there are some precautions you can take to stay safe.
 
"You can wear long clothing and tuck your pants into your socks; you can also stay out of the grass area's and on the paths instead if out for walks or hiking."??
 
Using bug spray with DEET in it is another way to protect yourself.

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