Ticks

A black magnifying glass focuses on a dark brown adult tick

Tick Identification & Info

The District can identify resident-submitted ticks but DOES NOT perform disease testing on resident-submitted ticks.

A person is outside in a grassy area near some green trees. The person is facing away from the camera. The person has long, light-colored hair, a white long-sleeve shirt, and a backpack. The person is holding a container of bug repellent and spraying the exposed skin on their arm.

Tick Prevention

The best way to reduce your risk of tick-borne illness is to avoid being bitten by a tick.

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

Tick-Borne Diseases

Ticks can carry germs that cause 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.

Tick Collection and Testing

District staff regularly collect ticks at local parks each year for testing.

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 help understand which types of landscaping practices are associated with ticks.

Tick-Borne Diseases

Ticks can carry germs that cause diseases.

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.

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