HSE ADVISOR CANADA
Tick Awareness Field Card
A laminate-ready quick-reference card for outdoor crews. Covers Canadian tick species identification, the 24-hour rule, safe removal technique, and post-bite response steps.
To print: Click "Print Field Card" below → select Landscape orientation → enable Background graphics in print settings → Print.
Cut along the dashed lines. Laminate for field use.
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HSE Advisor Canada is CRSP Certified, COR & ISO 45001 Lead Auditors. We build the hazard
assessment, the safe work procedure, and the crew training that sit behind a card like this one.
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Card preview — 4 per page
Identify the Tick
Black-legged tick (E & C Canada)
Dark brown/black · sesame seed size
Nymph = poppy seed — hard to see
LYME ANAPLASMOSIS POWASSAN
Western black-legged tick (BC)
Similar size · Pacific coast & interior BC
LYME
American dog tick (All regions)
Larger · brown with white markings
NOT a Lyme vector
Remove Safely
- 1.Fine-tipped tweezers — as close to skin as possible
- 2.Steady upward pressure — no twisting
- 3.Wash site with soap & water
- 4.Apply antiseptic
- 5.Save tick in sealed bag with damp cotton
- 6.Log: date, time & location on body
24-Hour Rule (Lyme)
Remove <24 hrs = low Lyme risk · Anaplasmosis: <12 hrs · Powassan: 15 min
Watch 3–30 days post-bite
Bullseye/expanding rash · fever · fatigue · joint pain → See a doctor — mention tick
Identify the Tick
Black-legged tick (E & C Canada)
Dark brown/black · sesame seed size
Nymph = poppy seed — hard to see
LYME ANAPLASMOSIS POWASSAN
Western black-legged tick (BC)
Similar size · Pacific coast & interior BC
LYME
American dog tick (All regions)
Larger · brown with white markings
NOT a Lyme vector
Remove Safely
- 1.Fine-tipped tweezers — as close to skin as possible
- 2.Steady upward pressure — no twisting
- 3.Wash site with soap & water
- 4.Apply antiseptic
- 5.Save tick in sealed bag with damp cotton
- 6.Log: date, time & location on body
24-Hour Rule (Lyme)
Remove <24 hrs = low Lyme risk · Anaplasmosis: <12 hrs · Powassan: 15 min
Watch 3–30 days post-bite
Bullseye/expanding rash · fever · fatigue · joint pain → See a doctor — mention tick
Identify the Tick
Black-legged tick (E & C Canada)
Dark brown/black · sesame seed size
Nymph = poppy seed — hard to see
LYME ANAPLASMOSIS POWASSAN
Western black-legged tick (BC)
Similar size · Pacific coast & interior BC
LYME
American dog tick (All regions)
Larger · brown with white markings
NOT a Lyme vector
Remove Safely
- 1.Fine-tipped tweezers — as close to skin as possible
- 2.Steady upward pressure — no twisting
- 3.Wash site with soap & water
- 4.Apply antiseptic
- 5.Save tick in sealed bag with damp cotton
- 6.Log: date, time & location on body
24-Hour Rule (Lyme)
Remove <24 hrs = low Lyme risk · Anaplasmosis: <12 hrs · Powassan: 15 min
Watch 3–30 days post-bite
Bullseye/expanding rash · fever · fatigue · joint pain → See a doctor — mention tick
Identify the Tick
Black-legged tick (E & C Canada)
Dark brown/black · sesame seed size
Nymph = poppy seed — hard to see
LYME ANAPLASMOSIS POWASSAN
Western black-legged tick (BC)
Similar size · Pacific coast & interior BC
LYME
American dog tick (All regions)
Larger · brown with white markings
NOT a Lyme vector
Remove Safely
- 1.Fine-tipped tweezers — as close to skin as possible
- 2.Steady upward pressure — no twisting
- 3.Wash site with soap & water
- 4.Apply antiseptic
- 5.Save tick in sealed bag with damp cotton
- 6.Log: date, time & location on body
24-Hour Rule (Lyme)
Remove <24 hrs = low Lyme risk · Anaplasmosis: <12 hrs · Powassan: 15 min
Watch 3–30 days post-bite
Bullseye/expanding rash · fever · fatigue · joint pain → See a doctor — mention tick