Tick Season in California: Protecting Your Pets and Your Home
The Coachella Valley is known for its stunning desert landscape, warm climate, and outdoor lifestyle. But as temperatures rise in spring and summer, tick season creeps in—bringing potential risks to your pets, your family, and even your home. While ticks aren’t as widespread in arid regions as they are in coastal or forested areas, they do exist in microhabitats and can cause serious health problems if not addressed early. Here's what every California homeowner needs to know to stay safe and tick-free this season.
Why Tick Season Is a Bigger Deal Than You Think
Ticks thrive in warm, humid environments, which makes much of California an ideal habitat—especially during spring and summer. While you might associate these pests with camping trips or hiking trails, they're just as likely to show up in your backyard.
Once temperatures consistently rise above 45°F, ticks become active. They prefer shady, moist areas with tall grasses, shrubs, and leaf litter—common features in many California landscapes. Unfortunately, that includes our parks, hiking trails, and sometimes even our own gardens.
When Is Tick Season in California?
- March–June: High activity as ticks emerge in warming weather.
- July–September: Continued risk, especially in irrigated yards or near trails.
- October–February: Risk drops but brown dog ticks can still be active indoors year-round.
The Dangers of Ticks: More Than Just a Nuisance
Ticks aren't just gross—they're dangerous. These tiny bloodsuckers are known vectors of serious diseases that can affect both humans and animals. In California, the most common tick-borne illnesses include:
- Lyme Disease (caused by the western black-legged tick)
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Anaplasmosis
- Tularemia
Pets, especially dogs and outdoor cats, are particularly vulnerable. A single tick bite can lead to fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and more severe complications if left untreated. The risk doesn’t end there—ticks can also latch onto your pets and hitch a ride into your home, putting your family at risk as well.
How Ticks Get Inside
Ticks are stealthy invaders. They don't fly or jump, but they can crawl onto hosts (including humans and animals) from tall grass, bushes, or even patio furniture. Once inside, they can hide in carpets, pet bedding, baseboards, and other quiet corners of your home.
Top Ways Ticks Get Indoors:
- Attached to your pets after a walk or time in the yard
- On your clothing after yard work or hikes
- Through open doors and windows near tick-infested vegetation
- Hidden in firewood or outdoor gear
How to Protect Your Pets From Ticks
Pets are your first line of exposure—they bring ticks in from outdoors. Here’s how to keep them safe:
Use Vet-Approved Tick Preventatives
- Oral medications (e.g., NexGard, Bravecto): Provide systemic protection; kills ticks after they bite.
- Topical treatments (e.g., Frontline, Advantix): Applied monthly to the skin, repels and kills ticks on contact.
- Tick collars (e.g., Seresto): Long-lasting (up to 8 months), great for dogs that spend time outside.
Tip: Never use dog tick treatments on cats—they can be toxic.
Conduct Daily Tick Checks
- Run your fingers through your pet’s fur after any outdoor exposure.
- Check common hiding spots:
- Behind ears
- Around eyes
- Under collar
- Between toes
- Around tail and groin
Have a tick removal kit at home: fine-tipped tweezers, antiseptic, gloves, and a small jar for tick storage.
Groom and Bathe Regularly
- Bathe pets with a tick-repellent shampoo once or twice a month during peak season.
- Brush fur to help spot and remove crawling ticks before they latch on.
How to Protect Your Property From Ticks
Even in desert landscapes, irrigation and landscaping can create ideal habitats for ticks. Here’s how to tick-proof your yard and home:
Landscaping for Tick Control
- Trim grass and weeds regularly—ticks wait at the tips of tall grass for hosts.
- Prune trees and bushes to increase sunlight and reduce humidity in shaded areas.
- Remove leaf litter, mulch piles, and old wood—ticks love moist, shady environments.
- Create a 3-foot gravel or wood chip barrier between lawn and wild vegetation to limit tick migration.
Secure Your Yard’s Perimeter
- Install fences to keep out deer, coyotes, and stray animals that may carry ticks.
- Keep garbage bins sealed to deter raccoons and rodents.
Clean and Inspect Outdoor Living Areas
- Sweep patios and decks weekly.
- Wash pet bedding, outdoor cushions, and blankets in hot water.
- Store garden tools and toys indoors or in sealed bins.
How to Protect Your Home From Ticks
Vacuum Regularly
- Focus on carpets, baseboards, under furniture, and pet areas.
- Dispose of vacuum bags or canister contents outside the home after each use.
Wash and Disinfect
- Wash pet bedding weekly in hot water and dry on high heat.
- Clean pet crates, carriers, and playpens monthly.
Monitor Indoor Pets
- Even indoor-only pets can pick up ticks from humans or other pets.
- Use preventive treatments for cats and small dogs that don’t leave the house.
Seal Entry Points
- Inspect and seal gaps in doors, windows, and foundation cracks.
- Repair damaged screens and install door sweeps.
How Extermin8 Can Help: Professional Tick Treatment for Your Home
While DIY prevention is important, ticks can be persistent—and once they make it indoors, they’re tough to eliminate without professional help. That’s where Extermin8 comes in.
Our indoor and outdoor tick control treatments are designed to target ticks at every stage of their life cycle, reducing the population before it becomes a full-blown infestation. Using an approach adapted from our proven outdoor pest services, our treatments focus on key harborage zones like:
- Shaded yard areas
- Pet play spaces
- Under decks and porches
- Baseboards and flooring inside your home
We use eco-conscious, pet-safe treatments that are highly effective at driving out and repelling ticks and other biting pests. Regular service during tick season ensures long-term protection for your pets, your family, and your peace of mind.
Get Ahead of Tick Season—Schedule Your Service Today
Don’t wait for ticks to make themselves at home. Protect your pets, your family, and your property this tick season with help from your local pest experts at . Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our customized indoor and outdoor tick control plans.