Blistering sap, oozing rashes and blood-sucking ticks are just a few of the potential perils awaiting Torontonians who venture out into the urban wild this summer.

Here’s a look at five of the most common threats that exist in the city's outdoor spaces.

Blacklegged tick

Description: Brown with black legs. Unfed female Blacklegged ticks range between 3 and 5 millimetres in length. Males are smaller than females and brown all over.

Where: Blacklegged ticks have recently been found in Toronto’s Morningside Park, the Rouge Valley and on Algonquin Island. None of the ticks found were infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Dangerous effects: Lyme disease can cause everything from fatigue and fever to nervous system disorders and muscle and joint pain. Lyme disease can even result in death, though that’s uncommon.

Wild parsnip

Description: Grows from 50 to 150 centimetres high, has a single green stem, mitten-shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers in a flat-topped umbrella shape.

Where: Grows in areas that have been disturbed and are fertile, including the edges of trails and fields. In the past wild parsnip has been found along the Humber River trail.

Dangerous effects: When exposed to UV light, the sap of the plant can cause burns and blisters.

Poison Ivy

Description: Only a few centimetres high, bunches of these plants with three waxy leaves often carpet wooded areas. The edges of the leaves are often smooth, but can also be serrated.

Where: The hardy plant grows in a wide variety of habitats, from full sun to full shade. A native plant, it’s very adaptable.

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Dangerous effects: Oily sap that causes an itchy, oozing rash spreads easily and can be severely irritating.

West Nile Virus

Description: The virus is primarily a disease carried in birds, but it can be passed to humans through mosquito bites.

Where: Numerous cases of West Nile have been discovered in Toronto in past years, but so far the city reports it has found no mosquitoes carrying the virus in 2015.

Dangerous effects: One in five people infected with the virus will develop symptoms such as fever. Less than one per cent of infected people develop a dangerous, sometimes fatal, neurological illness.

Giant Hogweed

Description: Grows between three and six metres high. Has a thick, hollow stalk and clusters of umbrella-like, cream-coloured flowers.

Where: Grows in moist areas, especially along the edges of rivers, creeks and ponds. In the past, giant hogweed has been discovered in the East Don Parklands.

Dangerous effects: When combined with UV light, the sap from giant hogweed can cause burns and temporary blindness.