Are ticks really that bad in California? Just moved here!

[RustyPine17]

I just relocated to California and I've heard mixed things about ticks out here. Should I be worried about them when hiking or enjoying the outdoors? Any local tips would be appreciated!

 

[Havasu]

Welcome!

I've found that ticks are only an issue in the spring. If you stay out of the tall brush, they are normally not a problem.

 

[xchecker]

Living in California my whole life, was a boy scout and backpack throughout Central and Southern California. I have never gotten a tick.
Also just spent 5 days Bass Lake, 25 miles south of Yosemite South entrance. We had bears, but no ticks

 

[Frank M]

Fleas will get you before the ticks will. Been in CA. for almost 60 years. Hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. and never got a tick. Fleas on the other hand can get bad in the summer.

 

[HooDoo Man]

When I lived in San Joquin County 25 years ago, I only saw dogs get them.

 

[Eastenerwesterner]

Last deer I skinned out, tics were a jumping. It was a warm day and I had to get that carcass cooled down

 

[ptgarcia]

I'm in suburban Socal and for a while there my dogs were getting ticks in my backyard. The vet said they typically linger around pine trees, of which I had one. It was a nuisance tree, anyway, so I cut it down and haven't seen any ticks since.

 

[Steve Hendry]

I used to hike in the hills on Hwy 74. Between Mission Viejo and Lake Elsinore. In the summer, ticks do well there. I was picking ticks off my goldens and me for a couple of days. When they get fat, they are easier to see.

 

[enguneer]

Ticks in CA may or may not be bad, depending on the year and the weather. I've seen years where ticka are everywhere and years (like the present one) where there are only a few in my area (contra costa co.). And, they tend to be much worse after a rain or heavy dew. I live in the country and have gotten the lyme disease "target rash" twice but caught early and cured with antiboitics. And our dogs get lyme disease even though they have beeen vaccinated for it.