San Mateo County: Tick Flagging with Santa Clara County Vector Control District

Entomology Report April 2007, San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District

In April, District staff focused on collection of nymphal ticks for Lyme disease testing. On April 18, District laboratory staff collaborated with Santa Clara County Vector Control to search for nymphal ticks in sites near the county border. Sampling was carried out on Old Spanish Trail in Los Trancos Woods and at Foothill Park in Los Altos. These ticks are in the process of being tested for Lyme disease. Ixodes pacificus nymphs are active during the spring and early summer and are easily overlooked due to their small size. Nymphs infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease have been found throughout San Mateo County.