Regional tick guide

Ticks in British Columbia

Explore reviewed tick occurrence records for British Columbia, with links to identification profiles, evidence and practical guidance.

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Reviewed sources

2

linked tick species

Province

geographic level

CA-BC

location code

2 reviewed species records are currently linked to British Columbia.

Introduced, occasional and other records

Adult female Dermacentor andersoni on the left and adult male on the right with scutum differences marked

Rocky Mountain wood tick

Also known as: Rocky Mountain tick

Dermacentor andersoni

Present Dermacentor hard_tick British Columbia

Government of British Columbia identifies the Rocky Mountain wood tick among ticks found in British Columbia.

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A hard tick of the Rocky Mountain states and southwestern Canada. Adults are the principal stage associated with pathogen transmission to humans.

Also known as: Rocky Mountain tick

Identification:

Adults are ornate Dermacentor ticks with short mouthparts, eyes and festoons. Females have a cream-patterned anterior scutum; males show pale mottling across most of the dorsum.

Hosts: Humans, Small mammals, Large mammals, Livestock, Dogs

Habitats: Rocky Mountain rangeland, Grassland and shrubland

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Adult female Ixodes pacificus western blacklegged tick on a green blade of grass

Western blacklegged tick

Also known as: Western black-legged tick

Ixodes pacificus

Present Ixodes hard_tick British Columbia

Government of British Columbia identifies the western blacklegged tick among ticks found in British Columbia.

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A Pacific coast hard tick, particularly important in northern California. Nymphs and adult females are more often reported on people, although larvae also bite humans.

Also known as: Western black-legged tick

Identification:

Adult females have a dark anterior scutum and reddish-orange posterior body when unfed. Ixodes ticks lack eyes and festoons and have an anal groove anterior to the anus. Expert examination may be needed to separate related Ixodes.

Hosts: Humans, White-tailed deer, Small mammals, Birds, Lizards

Habitats: Pacific coastal woodland, Woodland edges and trails

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Practical tick guidance

Related guidance

Use these VuxLore® resources alongside the location records and species profiles above.

Identify ticksSpecies, life stages and identification guidance Prevent and checkReduce exposure and perform thorough tick checks Remove ticksRemoval methods, tools and common problems Bites, symptoms and healthSourced guidance about bites, symptoms and disease

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