Ticks

A black magnifying glass focuses on a dark brown adult tick

Identification & Info

The District can identify resident-submitted ticks but DOES NOT perform disease testing on resident-submitted ticks. Tick testing is performed by the San Mateo County Public Health Laboratory.

Photograph with a background of a white cloth, with a single blade of green grass in front of the cloth. There is a small dark brown and black tick reaching its front two legs up from the grass.

Preventing Tick Bites

Protect yourself and your family from ticks by following a few simple steps.

A brown and black colored tick, with a round body, 8 long legs, and a mouthpart extending from the body

Tick-Borne Diseases

Photo of a forest, with some trees, some tall brown bushes, and green grass. A person in the distance leans over a white cloth to look at it.

Control & Monitoring

Because ticks are most commonly found along trails in our parks and open spaces, it’s more feasible to avoid contact with ticks and prevent tick bites when spending time in these areas than to control tick populations. However, some residents may choose to have a private pest control operator treat their property for ticks.

Person in tan uniform walking away from the camera down a wooded trail. The person is holding out a stick that has a square white cloth about 3ft tall by 3ft wide on it. The cloth is being dragged over the vegetation along the edge of the trail.

Study of ticks on residential properties

In 2022, the District started a study to assess tick presence on residential properties in San Mateo County. Information from the study will be used to develop more targeted outreach materials to address knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ticks and tick-borne diseases in San Mateo County. The cities of focus in late 2022 to early 2023 will be Pacifica and Hillsborough. If you live in…

Sign up for updates from San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District