As a nature lover living in California, I’ve had my fair share of encounters with ticks. These tiny arachnids may be small, but they can transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease. That’s why it pays to learn about the different ticks in California and how to protect yourself.
After researching multiple authoritative sources I’ve compiled this complete guide to ticks in California. It covers everything you need to know, from tick habitats and life cycles to disease risks and prevention tips. Read on to become a tick expert!
An Overview of Ticks in the Golden State
There are over 90 species of ticks in the United States, and about 20-30 of those are found in California The most common ticks in the state belong to two families
-
Ixodidae (hard ticks) – Examples are the Western black-legged tick, Pacific Coast tick and American dog tick. They have a hardened shield on their back.
-
Argasidae (soft ticks) – These include the fowl tick and Spinose ear tick. They lack the hardened shield and have a more leathery, wrinkled appearance.
Ticks go through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. After hatching from eggs, ticks must feed on the blood of hosts like mammals, birds, and reptiles to survive and advance to the next stage.
Some ticks, like the brown dog tick, feed on the same host during every life stage. Others like the Western black-legged tick find a new host at each stage.
Tick Habitats and Distribution in California
Ticks thrive in moist, humid environments. In California, they are most abundant in coastal regions and foothills up to 4500 feet in elevation. Ticks can be found in habitats like:
- Grasslands
- Chaparral
- Woodlands
- Forests
Some of the most tick-prone areas include:
-
Northern California – Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and Trinity counties.
-
Central California Coast – Monterey and San Mateo counties.
-
Sierra Nevada Foothills – El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, and Tuolumne counties.
-
San Francisco Bay Area – Marin County.
-
Central Valley – Kern and Tulare counties.
-
Southern California – Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties.
Ticks live in shady, moist microclimates at ground level. When seeking hosts, they climb on low vegetation and wait for animals or humans to brush against them.
Tick Activity and Seasonality
In California, ticks are most active:
-
Spring – March to May. Tick nymphs emerge and are abundant.
-
Summer – June to August. Tick numbers peak as adults become active.
Ticks can be found year-round but are less common in hot, dry conditions. Their activity depends on temperature, humidity, and host availability.
After feeding, female ticks drop off their hosts to lay eggs on the ground. The life cycle starts again when eggs hatch into larvae in late summer/early fall.
Major Tick Species and Disease Risks
The main ticks that bite humans in California include:
Pacific Coast Tick
-
Found along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Baja California.
-
Transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Pacific Coast tick fever.
-
Bites humans as well as mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Western Black-legged Tick
-
Found west of the Rocky Mountains from Canada to Mexico.
-
Primary carrier of Lyme disease in California.
-
Nymphs feed on small mammals and lizards. Adults prefer deer.
American Dog Tick
-
Most widespread tick in California after the Western black-legged tick.
-
Found in coastal and Sierra foothill counties.
-
Carries Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
Brown Dog Tick
-
A pest of dogs but occasionally bites humans.
-
Found year-round on dogs and in kennels.
-
Can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis.
Other ticks like the rabbit tick, pajahuello tick, and soft ticks rarely bite humans but may transmit diseases to pets and livestock.
How to Prevent Tick Bites and Diseases
When spending time outdoors in tick habitat, protect yourself by taking these precautions:
-
Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily. Tuck pants into socks.
-
Use insect repellent with 20-30% DEET on skin and clothing.
-
Stay on trails and avoid walking through vegetation.
-
Check yourself, children, and pets thoroughly for ticks after being outdoors.
-
Remove attached ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers. Don’t squeeze or twist the tick’s body.
-
Shower soon after coming inside. This washes off unattached ticks.
-
Speak to your vet about tick prevention products for your pets.
-
Keep your lawn mowed and clear away brush, leaf litter, and debris where ticks live.
What To Do If Bit By A Tick
If you find an attached tick, use tweezers to grasp it close to the skin and pull straight up slowly until it releases its grip. Don’t jerk or twist the tick. Clean the bite area with soap and water or an antiseptic.
Save the tick in a sealed bag or jar in case you become ill and need it identified. Write down the date and location of the bite.
Watch for potential symptoms of tick-borne diseases like rash, fever, chills, and body aches in the weeks following the bite. See a doctor immediately if any symptoms develop.
Ticks are prevalent across California, so taking precautions is essential when spending time outdoors. Learning to identify ticks, understand their habitats and behaviors, and protect yourself properly will let you enjoy nature safely and avoid tick-borne diseases.
When a tick bites, it can spread germs to people and make them sick.
Ticks become infected with germs (like bacteria, viruses, and parasites) when they feed on the blood of infected animals. Ticks can spread these germs to people and other animals when they bite and feed on their blood. Different types of germs spread by ticks can cause different diseases. Diseases spread by ticks in California include Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and spotted fever (including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Pacific Coast tick fever).
The best way to prevent diseases spread by ticks is to prevent tick bites in the first place. By keeping ticks off your body, you are less likely to get bitten and get sick from a tick bite.
Ticks are small, spider-like creatures that bite and feed on blood for food. There are two main types of ticks: soft ticks and hard ticks (PDF). Tick bite prevention tips on this page are for hard ticks, which are usually found outside in wooded or brushy areas with tall grass, rocks, logs, and fallen leaves.
Ticks have different life stages, and they change size as they grow. Early life stages of ticks are tiny (about the size of a poppy seed). Full grown, adult ticks are about the size of an apple seed and can grow to the size of a raisin after they feed on blood.
You can enjoy exploring the outdoors without the worry of tick bites if you practice steps to keep ticks off you.
After you return indoors
- Check for ticks again (including on pets)
- After coming inside, check your whole body for ticks, including behind the knees, under the arms, and in the hairline, belt line, and groin areas. Use a mirror or have a family member help check the areas on your body that you cant easily see. If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it right away.
- Its important to check pets and gear for ticks as well, since ticks can ride into your living space on pets, backpacks, and coats and then attach to a person later.
- Parents should carefully examine their children.
- Continue to check for ticks on your body and in your bedding for 3 days after being outside in areas with ticks.
- Without washing, put the clothes you were wearing while outside in a hot dryer for 10 minutes to kill any ticks that may be on your clothes. If your clothes are wet from being outside, put them in for 20 minutes. Then wash and dry the clothes as usual if needed. Heat will kill any ticks.
- Take a shower within 2 hours or as soon as possible after you return indoors. Shower and scrub your head and body to wash away any ticks that could be on your body. The shower is a great time to do a full-body tick check!
Its important to prevent ticks on your pets because pets can carry ticks into the home that can bite a person later. Tick bites can also make pets sick.
- Check your pets for ticks daily, especially after they spend time outdoors.
- Treat pets with a tick preventive product to keep them from bringing ticks into the home.
- Treat dogs and cats for ticks only as recommended by a veterinarian.
AHE 2022- Webinar #28 – Tick Talk – It’s Time to Talk Ticks
FAQ
Does California have a tick problem?
In addition to Lyme disease, ticks in California carry other agents that can cause disease. These diseases include ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, Colorado tick fever, tularemia, and relapsing fever.
What months are ticks active in California?
The risk of tick bites is lower during the summer months, but ticks are active all year round in California. Nymphal ticks become active in spring.
What do you do if you get bit by a tick in California?
- Tick Bite: What to Do.
- Tick bites can make people sick. …
- Remove the tick as soon as possible.
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can. …
- Consider calling your healthcare provider.
- In general, CDC does not recommend taking antibiotics after tick bites to prevent tickborne diseases.
What are the odds of getting Lyme disease in California?
Overall, the incidence of Lyme disease in California is usually only 0.2 cases per 100,000 persons per year.
Are there ticks in California?
Pacific Coast Ticks This hard tick species attacks many different types of animals, including rodents, cattle, horses, and humans. It’s one of the most commonly seen tricks in California and can be found in most parts of the state. While this tick is a major pest for Californians, it’s rarely seen in other parts of the United States.
Does tick bite usually cause stinging or burning around the area?
It is normal for the skin around a tick bite to turn red and itch. This inflammatory reaction has nothing to do with Lyme disease and usually goes away within a few days after the tick is removed. But if the skin near the bite is red a few days or weeks after you were bitten, it could be a sign of Lyme disease. A Lyme disease rash typically spreads outwards with a ring-like appearance until it reaches a diameter of more than five centimeters.
Do ticks eat humans in California?
Multiple species of ticks live in California. From deserts to pine and mixed woodlands, ticks can settle in different areas of the state and may choose to bite different species, including humans. Some ticks in California only bite small mammals and specific species such as chickens.
When are ticks most active in California?
Ticks in California are generally most active during June and July. CA residents are most at risk for Lyme disease during these months. Are Ticks “Bad” in California? Due in part to California’s temperate climate, ticks are able to spread throughout the state.
Where do winter ticks live in California?
The winter tick is a widespread parasite and may be found anywhere in California. Most live along the central coast and in the lower Sierra foothills. They typically feed on the same host throughout their life cycle, detaching to molt and then reattaching until it’s time to drop off and lay eggs.
Can ticks spread lyme disease in California?
Ticks are one of the most concerning pests in California, as they can spread illnesses such as Lyme disease. In fact, according to the California Department of Public Health, Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the state in terms of human cases.