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.
The District laboratory conducts surveillance for tick-borne pathogens at parks and open spaces throughout San Mateo County. These results are available on the Tick Surveillance page.
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.
It is not usually feasible to control ticks themselves, especially since they are most common in our parks and open spaces. Instead, you can reduce your risk of tick-borne illness by avoiding tick bites, and removing ticks properly if you are bitten.
