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May 2022 Newsletter

It's tick season (again)!

In January, we reminded you that it was peak season for adult western black-legged ticks. But where did all those adults come from? Most ticks go through four life stages: egg, six-legged larva, eight-legged nymph, and adult. The adult ticks that peak in the winter were nymphs in the previous summer. Nymphs are most active in spring and early summer, and these tiny ticks pose a greater risk of transmitting disease than adult ticks. Nymphs are noticeably smaller than adults, so you need to be extra thorough when checking for ticks for the next few months. Learn all about how to prevent tick bites HERE.

Learn more about tick life cycles and hosts HERE.

Photograph of a light colored muffin with poppyseeds.  There are 5 small brown nymphal ticks on the muffin.  The ticks are about the size of a poppyseed.  The image is meant to show how small nymphal ticks are.
Can you spot the 5 tick nymphs on this muffin?  The CDC published this photograph a few years ago to show people just how tiny nymphs are!  Be sure to do a thorough tick check after being outdoors!

 

We are on Simplicity!

Text with a photo of a phone with the District logo.  Text reads: "Join us in the Simplicity App! All important community news and updates from your City and San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District in one place. 1) Download the Simplicity App. 2) Select your city. 3) Follow the SMCMVCD. 4) Never miss important news.  Simplicity, available in Google Play or App Store.

The District recently joined the Simplicity app network. This is one convenient app to get all your city/town and District-related news. The County and several cities and towns throughout San Mateo County will also be sharing news and updates via the app. Visit Google Play or the App Store to download to your device for important updates. Learn more about the app at: https://onesimplicity.com/residents/

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