Ticks thrive in Northern California climate. Here’s where they like to hide

As spring rolls in and temperatures warm, hiking one of Northern California’s many trails is an obvious activity to indulge, but it’s important to be wary of ticks.

The eight-legged arachnids are most active in warmer months, and the parasites thrive in humid and rainy environments, which increase tick populations and risk of Lyme disease.

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District performs routine tests at Sacramento and Yolo county hiking trails. In Sacramento County, it has 15 testing sites. The Vector Control District has been testing along the American River, starting at Ancil Hoffman to Folsom Zoo.

Throughout that stretch along the American River, the vector control district has been finding ticks. Some — but not all — have tested positive for Lyme disease.

“We have our labs and they have been doing a lot of surveillance throughout trails, you know, common and popular trails in Sacramento and Yolo County areas, “ said Luz Maria Robles, Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District spokeswoman in a March interview. “We have been finding lots of ticks and some of them have been testing positive for Lyme disease.”

Western black-legged ticks are responsible for transmission of Lyme disease in this region, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are the best safety precautions to take this spring if you plan to explore Northern California trails:

Preparing for a hike

The American Hiking Society, a non-profit working to preserve trails, advises wearing long-sleeve shirts and longs pants to avoid getting a tick. Light colored clothing also makes it easier to spot a tick on your body.

Spraying your clothing with insect repellent before venturing into a hike is another pro-tip. You’ll want a repellent that contains either DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon, according to the according to the CDC.

Though, the best rule of thumb to lower your chances of getting a tick is to stay on paved trails.

“We usually tell people the most important thing is always staying on the trail,” Robles said. “Don’t go off into the tall grasses, because that’s where you’re more susceptible to maybe getting a tick.”

What’s a tick check?

When you get back from being outdoors, it’s important to conduct a full body tick check, and inspect your body.

Below is a list of places that ticks like to hide, according to the CDC:

• Under the arms
• In and around the ears
• Inside the belly button
• Back of the knees
• In and around the hair
• Between the legs
• Around the waist

Ticks like moist, warm areas.

What if I find a tick on my body?

In the event that you do spot a tick on your body it’s important to remove the tick as quickly as possible by gently pulling it out with tweezers, Robles said. You may also want to consider calling your health care provider.

“It’s important to grasp the ticks mouth part as close to the skin as possible,” Robles said. “Because usually when the tick is on you its going to have it’s mouth in your skin and the rest of the body is going to be outward.”

You want to avoid twisting or jerking the tick, Robles said. This can cause for some of the tick to stay inside your body. Once you’ve removed the tick, you should wash your hands and apply some kind of antiseptic to the bite.

Avoid ointments on bites

Some people believe they can suffocate the tick on their body by burning it or applying ointments like Vaseline, Robles said. However, she warns of the ineffectiveness of taking this approach.

“Basically what you’re doing, if you do that, it may cause the release of the tick fluid and that can lead to disease,” Robles said.

What if my dog has a tick?

If you find a tick on your dog, you want to follow the same steps to remove the tick as you would on yourself.

Consider investing in a tick collar or medicine, to help reduce the chances of your dog getting a tick.

Warning signs of Lyme disease

This story was originally published March 7, 2023 at 6:00 AM.