Question 1

How do I do a tick check?

Accepted Answer

After outdoor time, check your whole body within 2 hours. Pay special attention to: behind the knees, groin, armpits, behind ears, belly button, and scalp. Use a mirror or have someone help for hard-to-see spots. Shower within 2 hours of coming inside — it helps wash off unattached ticks and makes checking easier.

Question 2

What is the best tick repellent?

Accepted Answer

EPA-registered repellents are most effective: DEET (20–30% for adults) applied to skin, and permethrin applied to clothing and gear (not skin). Permethrin binds to fabric and remains effective through multiple washes — treating boots, pants, and socks is especially important. IR3535 and picaridin are good alternatives to DEET with similar efficacy.

Question 3

How long does a tick need to be attached to transmit Lyme disease?

Accepted Answer

The deer tick (black-legged tick) generally needs to be attached 36–48 hours to transmit Lyme disease bacteria. This is why prompt tick checks and removal are so important. Other tick-borne diseases (like Rocky Mountain spotted fever) can transmit faster — within a few hours — so early removal matters for all species.

Question 4

When is tick season?

Accepted Answer

Deer ticks (the primary Lyme vector) have two main activity peaks: spring-summer (May–July, when nymphs are most active and hardest to see) and fall (October–November, adult ticks). Adult ticks remain active in fall even near freezing — they become dormant only when temperatures stay consistently below 35°F. In mild winters or southern states, ticks can be active year-round.

Question 5

Does citronella actually work against mosquitoes?

Accepted Answer

Citronella provides modest, short-lived protection — about 20–30 minutes in some studies, compared to 4–8 hours for DEET-based products. Citronella candles create a localized scent barrier when there's no wind, but they're far less effective than topical repellents. For meaningful protection, use an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin.

Question 6

What yard treatments reduce ticks?

Accepted Answer

Professional tick tube treatments and barrier sprays (permethrin applied to lawn edges and shrubs) are effective for 4–6 weeks. Keep grass short, clear leaf litter, remove woodpiles where mice nest, and create a dry wood chip or gravel border between your lawn and wooded areas — ticks avoid dry, sunny zones. Deer management (fencing) helps in high-density tick areas.

Question 7

How do I reduce mosquito breeding in my yard?

Accepted Answer

Eliminate standing water: dump birdbaths weekly, clear clogged gutters, turn over containers, drain tarps and saucers. Any container holding water for more than a week can become a breeding site. Mosquito dunks (Bti) are safe for birdbaths and water features. Treat decorative ponds with a small fountain to keep water moving — mosquitoes don't lay eggs in moving water.

Question 8

When should I see a doctor after a tick bite?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor if you develop: a bull's-eye rash (erythema migrans) anywhere on the body, fever, chills, muscle aches, or fatigue within 30 days of a bite. Not all Lyme-infected ticks cause a rash — some people have only flu-like symptoms. Early Lyme disease is easily treated with a short course of antibiotics; untreated, it can cause serious joint, heart, and neurological problems.

Moderate tick conditions in San Mateo, CA outdoor areas

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