HSE ADVISOR CANADA
Tick Awareness Field Card
Outdoor crews can carry this laminate-ready card to identify three ticks (the black-legged and western black-legged ticks, which can spread Lyme disease, and the American dog tick) and to remove a tick safely. It explains the 24-hour rule: in most cases an infected tick has to stay attached for at least 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease. It also lists the symptoms to watch for in the 3 to 30 days after a bite, and a photo sent to etick.ca can identify the tick.
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.
Need tick exposure written into your safety program?
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.
The first conversation is free.
Card preview — 4 per page
Get our most-requested checklists by email
This resource is free to read and print, no sign-up needed. We can also email you our most-requested free checklists and templates. The full library is at Free HSE Resources.
We send occasional Canadian OHS updates. Unsubscribe any time.
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 · coastal & southern interior BC
LYME ANAPLASMOSIS
American dog tick (South-central and south-eastern Canada)
Larger · brown with white markings
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 a sealed bag or pill bottle. Identify it: etick.ca
- 6.Log: date, time & location on body
24-Hour Rule (Lyme)
In most cases an infected black-legged tick must be attached 24+ hrs to pass on Lyme bacteria · Anaplasmosis: usually requires ≥24 hrs attached · 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 · coastal & southern interior BC
LYME ANAPLASMOSIS
American dog tick (South-central and south-eastern Canada)
Larger · brown with white markings
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 a sealed bag or pill bottle. Identify it: etick.ca
- 6.Log: date, time & location on body
24-Hour Rule (Lyme)
In most cases an infected black-legged tick must be attached 24+ hrs to pass on Lyme bacteria · Anaplasmosis: usually requires ≥24 hrs attached · 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 · coastal & southern interior BC
LYME ANAPLASMOSIS
American dog tick (South-central and south-eastern Canada)
Larger · brown with white markings
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 a sealed bag or pill bottle. Identify it: etick.ca
- 6.Log: date, time & location on body
24-Hour Rule (Lyme)
In most cases an infected black-legged tick must be attached 24+ hrs to pass on Lyme bacteria · Anaplasmosis: usually requires ≥24 hrs attached · 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 · coastal & southern interior BC
LYME ANAPLASMOSIS
American dog tick (South-central and south-eastern Canada)
Larger · brown with white markings
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 a sealed bag or pill bottle. Identify it: etick.ca
- 6.Log: date, time & location on body
24-Hour Rule (Lyme)
In most cases an infected black-legged tick must be attached 24+ hrs to pass on Lyme bacteria · Anaplasmosis: usually requires ≥24 hrs attached · Powassan: 15 min
Watch 3–30 days post-bite
Bullseye/expanding rash · fever · fatigue · joint pain → See a doctor — mention tick
Want help applying this?
Our consultants (CRSP Certified · COR & ISO 45001 Lead Auditors) can adapt this to your workplace or review your safety program with you.
(647) 620-5278 · info@hseadvisor.ca · hseadvisor.ca/contact
Tick Awareness Field Card · Version 1.2 · Reviewed October 2026 · HSE Advisor Canada. Free to use and adapt. General guidance, not legal advice.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm tick risk and removal advice with your provincial public health authority.