Ticks are here in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and the whole Suroit region.
They’re in the forests and meadows.
They’re also in our yards, on our pets, in the playgrounds, and carried by us and our pets into homes, cars, and everywhere else.
They are the most dangerous animal our children are likely to encounter in Monteregie. Tiny enough to overlook, ticks can carry dangerous diseases they spread to us when they bite.
This is a new threat to those who grew up around Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. It’s understandable to be scared of them.
But they’re not leaving, so we have to learn how to live with them and teach our children how to, too.
Understanding the risk of ticks
As a forest school educator, I consider several aspects of every risk.
- How likely is this risk to happen?
- What is the most likely outcome?
- What is the worst possible outcome?
- How can we reduce this risk?
- What are the benefits of doing this risky activity?
- Does the risk reduction method carry any risks itself?
- What are the pros and cons of avoiding this activity entirely?
For example, bears are dangerous but we’re very unlikely to encounter them in a local Salaberry-de-Valleyfield park, so they aren’t a major concern.
Tripping and falling is common for children in the forest, but it’s very unlikely to cause serious injury.
As for ticks, we are likely to encounter them. If we follow proper tick protocols, then the most likely outcome is that we find the tick and remove it before it bites.
The worst possible outcome, however, is serious illness. Death or permanent disability are extremely uncommon (see this medical source), but possible. So this is not a risk to lightly dismiss.
Is avoiding ticks the right choice?
Any activity near plants — forest, garden, meadow, yard, playground — carries some tick risk.
The only way to fully avoid ticks and the risk of Lyme disease in Monteregie is to stay indoors or in human built environments far from plants. (And get rid of your pets.)
I hope anyone reading this website knows that that’s a terrible idea! But let’s consider it as a risk reduction strategy for a second.
In exchange for total protection from ticks, children would lose the immense benefits of outdoor play in nature: physical activity, physical skill development, mental health, improved concentration, better health, better sleep, mindfulness, confidence building, curiosity, love of nature, scientific learning, and so much more.
This carries significant risk. We as a society are only beginning to understand the full extend to which removing children from nature damages their mental and physical development.
And no, playing in human built spaces, or walking through nature in a straight line on a maintained path, does not give the same benefits. It does give some great benefits! But the full range of benefits children get from playing in nature comes from truly playing (not walking) in nature (not a human built environment).
Full tick avoidance is not only difficult, but dangerous.
The risk of total tick avoidance is more severe than the risk of ticks.
Kids must play outside. So we have to manage tick risk, not avoid it.
Managing tick risk in forests near Salaberry-de-Valleyfield
Ticks are here and we can’t avoid them completely (not without hurting our children more than ticks every could).
So we need to manage this risk in a way that still preserves the benefits of free play in nature.
We will not cede the forest to the ticks.
We will protect ourselves while playing.
Here’s how we do that at forest school:
- Wear long, loose, light-colored clothing (the light color makes ticks more visible)
- Wear closed-toed shoes
- Tuck pants into socks or boots
- Short children should wear hats to protect their scalp from vegetation
- Wear bug spray, use bug repellent stickers, use essential oils, or wear treated clothing
- Avoid tick heavy areas, such as dense bushes
- Check for ticks after every outdoor adventure (in the forest, park, or backyard), paying special attention to the scalp, armpits, groin/waistband, and back of knees
- Remove ticks immediately (removing a tick within 24 hours greatly reduces the chance of Lyme disease)
- If the tick has attached, use tweezers to lift it straight up, save the tick in a sealed container, and consult local health recommendations
Valleyfield Joue Dehors official tick statement
Here is our stance on how to manage tick risk.
We will avoid dense or high vegetation. We will encourage all participants to wear protective clothing and/or bug spray. We will make tick checks a fun, normal part of our routine. We will teach children to be wise and thoughtful about ticks, not to be afraid.
Most important: We will continue to enjoy the bountiful benefits of nature play, building a love for and respect for nature.
Dangerous animals exist.
We protect ourselves thoughtfully, then play without fear.
For more information
Health Canada Experiences has age-appropriate, bilingual resources for parents, educators, and children.