by Elizabeth Littell

We are definitely getting into tick season so here are some considerations you might want to keep in mind and share with others on the trails:

1.  Ticks aren’t always just at ground level.  They can be on tree trunks, on the tops of grasses and just about anywhere, really.  So don’t just pay attention to where your feet are, but also to where your arms are, and especially to where any loose clothing might be.  For example, jackets tied around your waist with the skirt left dangling free around your hips can easily pick up ticks without you being at all aware of it.  Better to roll the jacket when tying it on. 

2.  Ticks can get in the smallest cracks, and they tend to climb upwards.  If you tuck your leggings or pants into your socks you are less likely to have the tick climb up your socks and then under your pants (and onto your skin).  Since ticks also climb grasses and tree trunks they can drop off those staging points and onto your head or neck.  

3.  Ticks prefer moist areas and areas where host animals live.  They are likely to be found in leaf litter (for some reason they really seem to like laurel leaves) and under low growing plants, like ivy.  Dense ground cover also is a preferred location for brown roof rats (which have been seen in Joaquin Miller park).  Another host is tree (not ground) squirrels.  And of course Western Fence Lizards.  Rats and squirrels simply provide food without harming the tick or the bacteria it may be carrying.  Lizards also provide food and appear to, usually, kill the relevant bacteria (without harming the tick).  Thing is, you don’t know which host the tick has been on most recently.

4.  When they move, ticks more often go downhill than uphill (why?  I don’t know, maybe because they are so small and they move with the movement of moisture?)

5.  So one is more likely to find a tick on the uphill side of a trail than the downhill side.  If the trail itself is dry the ticks tend to stop on the uphill side.  If the trail is damp they may cross the trail and continue on downhill on the other side.  

7.  Areas in Joaquin Miller where ticks have frequently congregated: Sinawik trail and Sinawik trail loop.  There’s lots of ivy (and reports of roof rats), a steep slope, and usually moist ground.  Sunset trail (the narrower, northern segment).  The long grass provides a good environment.  Although congregations of ticks haven’t been reported in other places, keep an eye out for trails that are narrow and have lots of ivy or other dense ground cover.

8.  Do a tick check when you get off the trail, preferably within a couple of hours at most, sooner is better.  Nuisance, yes.  Removing a tick from some intimate or inaccessible region of your body is more of a nuisance.  And you will pick up ticks!

9.  Ticks carrying Lyme disease have not been reported from Joaquin Miller park recently.  They have been reported from some other parks along the East Bay Hills.

Keep those thoughts in mind, share them with others on the trail, and enjoy the park!