Before you view the maps, here are some details about how the maps were created, and what you should consider as you interpret the data:

• Species identification for each tick specimen was not always validated. Therefore, the accuracy of species identification is based on the submitter's skill level. 

• Geographic location of acquisition is based on submitter recall (and sometimes it's not reliable because we just don't know where a tick was picked up!).

• Number of submissions are highly influenced by population density and interest / awareness of the public. We have received many more submissions from Southern Ontario, which may be a reflection of human population density and interest as well as tick populations. 

• Data are classified based on the most precise location provided. If postal code was given, the centroid of that postal code was used. If only the first three characters were provided, then data was classified based on the centroid of the FSA (forward sortation area).