Why You Should Report Ticks Through eTick

Finding a tick on your pet can be stressful — but reporting it doesn’t have to be. eTick is a free, Canada-wide platform that lets you submit pictures of ticks for expert identification. This helps you and public health researchers better understand tick populations.

How to Report a Tick

1. Take clear photos. Use a smartphone or digital camera in bright light; make sure the tick’s back (dorsal shield), head, and underside are visible. Use a coin or ruler for scale if you can.
2. Submit your images. Go to the eTick website or use their mobile app. Enter details like where the tick was found (on your pet, on the ground, etc.) and upload up to three photos.
3. Keep the tick for a few days. After you submit, store the tick in a sealed container (like a pill bottle) for at least 5 days in case more photos are needed.
4. Wait for results. eTick’s team typically identifies the tick within 1–2 business days.

What Information Will You Receive?

When eTick responds, they’ll tell you:

• The species of tick you found.
• Whether that species is known to transmit diseases.
• Guidance on what to do next, including whether further action (like sending in the physical tick) is recommended.

If the tick is hard to identify from the photo, or it’s a species of concern, eTick may request you mail in the tick for more detailed analysis.

How eTick Helps Pet Owners

• Peace of mind. Knowing exactly what kind of tick was found can help you assess risk more accurately.
• Timely advice. With species identified, your vet can give better guidance (for instance, whether there’s a high risk of Lyme disease or other tick-borne illness).
• Community benefit. By reporting ticks, you contribute to a national tick-surveillance database, helping scientists track tick populations across Canada.
• Free service. Identification via eTick is completely free — and you don’t need to pay unless they ask you to mail the tick in

What You Should Do After Reporting

• Monitor your pet (and yourself) for any symptoms, especially in the weeks after a tick bite.
• Continue doing regular tick checks — especially after being outside.
• Use preventive measures: running an annual heartworm/tick blood test, and keeping your dog on a monthly flea/tick prevention.

Report Here: https://www.etick.ca/etickapp/en/submit/report-index

Written November 17, 2025 GB