Why Ticks Are Thriving This Year
The recent spike in tick activity isn’t just your imagination. Warmer winters, wetter springs, and a longer growing season have created the perfect storm for ticks to thrive—and they’re doing just that. Tick populations are way up, and so are the illnesses they carry.
While Lyme disease is the most well-known, ticks in California can also spread anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and even a rare but potentially fatal virus called Powassan. Some ticks are now linked to allergic reactions to red meat, something called alpha-gal syndrome.
In other words, ticks aren’t just annoying anymore. They’re dangerous.
Where You’ll Find Ticks in NorCal
Ticks love the shady, humid areas that are common around Northern California homes and parks. You’ll most often find them:
- Along wooded trails
- In tall grasses and overgrown lawns
- Under leaf litter and brush piles
- Near woodpiles, sheds, and fences
- Around the edges of lawns, especially where wildlife pass through
They don’t fly or jump—they simply wait on a blade of grass or low branch and drop or grab on when a person or pet brushes past. Sneaky little things.
How to Protect Yourself (and Your Pets)
The good news? With a few habits and some smart pest control, you can seriously lower your risk of tick bites and tick-borne disease. Here are some simple, effective tips:
Treat clothing and shoes with permethrin
This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to repel ticks. Spray shoes, pants, socks, and outdoor gear with 0.5% permethrin once a month.
Use repellent on exposed skin
Choose a doctor-recommended product with DEET or picaridin to protect arms, neck, and legs.
Dress smart
Long sleeves and pants (tucked into your socks) make it harder for ticks to reach your skin. Light-colored clothing helps you spot them more easily.
Check yourself, your kids, and your pets
After spending time outdoors, check behind knees, around the waistline, under arms, behind ears, and in your hairline. Pets should be checked around the ears, belly, and between the toes.
Shower after outdoor activity
A quick rinse within two hours of being outside can help wash away ticks before they have a chance to bite.
Keep your yard tick-unfriendly
Ticks love clutter and moisture. Keep your grass trimmed, rake up leaf litter, and create a clear barrier between your lawn and any wooded areas.
Worried About Ticks in Your Yard? Let Us Help.
If you’re seeing ticks on your pets or finding them after time in the yard, it’s time to take action. At Big Time Pest Control, we provide targeted tick treatments that reduce tick populations around your home and yard, without a bunch of guesswork.
Our local team knows how ticks behave here in NorCal, and we’ll help you build a plan that actually works.
Don’t Wait for a Tick Bite to Take Action
Tick season is here, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. Contact Big Time Pest Control today to schedule your summer tick service and enjoy your backyard with confidence.
Serving families in Chico, Anderson, Redding, Sacramento, and across Northern California with expert pest protection—because pests should never ruin a good summer.