Ticks
Ticks: What you can do to prevent exposure
Click here for a downloadable/printable version of the tick checklist.
Before entering tick habitat
- Consider applying effective tick repellent to exposed skin. Click here to use the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s repellent search.
- Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin or buy pre-treated clothing and gear.
- Wear long pants, long sleeves, long socks, and closed-toe shoes (this makes it more difficult for ticks to attach to your skin)
While in tick habitat
- Stay in the center of trails to help avoid contact with ticks
- Avoid grassy areas, contact with logs, tree trunks, and fallen branches
- Periodically check for ticks on yourself and your pets
After exiting tick habitat
- Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks after you come indoors
- Shower within 2 hours of returning from tick habitat
- If exposed, properly remove any attached ticks immediately. Grab the tick close to your skin with tweezers, tick removal tool, or a tissue and pull the tick straight upward (see illustration)
- Wash your hands and the bite-site with soap and water
- Disinfect the area and apply an antibiotic ointment, cream, or rubbing alcohol to the bite site
- Save the tick in a sealed bag or container
- For assistance with tick identification contact Santa Clara County Vector Control
- For assistance with tick testing for possible diseases contact Santa Clara County Public Health Laboratory
- Never crush a tick with your fingers
Brochures and Links
Tick-Borne Disease in CA - by SCC VCD
Lyme Disease - by CA Dept. of Public Health
2023 Tick Surveillance Abundance Reports
Tick Surveillance Abundance Reports by Season