Are My Pets at Risk For Ticks in San Marino?

San Marino’s tree-lined streets, meticulously manicured parks, and proximity to the hillside make it a beautiful place to take in the scenery. Walking your dog is particularly special when you have all the lovely surroundings to take in. 

But these same environments also create the perfect conditions for ticks. In fact, Southern California ticks are present all year, and the risk of getting bitten isn’t limited to wilderness hikes. 

It’s right in your backyard. 

Tick Species Present in San Marino

You and your furry friend need to keep your eyes out for two tick species in San Marino. 

First, the Pacific Coast tick is prevalent throughout SoCal and carries Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (a serious bacterial illness that’ll send you to the hospital and make your pet quite sick). 

Next, the brown dog tick presents a different kind of problem. Unlike most ticks, brown dog ticks can complete their entire life cycle inside your home, meaning if your dog carries a few inside, your house could become a tick hotbed. They are especially stubborn and difficult to detect at first. 

Both ticks are present in popular areas like Huntington Gardens, Lacy Park, and those hillside open spaces bordering residential homes. Any dogs that happen to walk through tall grass, brush, or wooded edges are at risk for ticks finding them (and putting everyone else at risk). 

What Can Ticks Do to Your Pets? 

Ticks can carry all kinds of diseases for pets: 

• Canine Ehrlichiosis - a bacterial infection that attacks white blood cells, leading to fever, joint pain, and bleeding disorders. 
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever - another bacterial infection that causes fever, joint pain, and neurological symptoms. 
• Tularemia - a bacterial illness that causes high fevers and ulcers. 
• Canine Babesiosis - a blood parasite that causes anemia, weakness, and pale gums. 
• Tick Paralysis - caused by neurotoxins found in the saliva of some ticks, which can cause progressive paralysis until the tick is removed. 

In the San Marino area specifically, there is a mild climate with no hard freeze, meaning your pets are at risk for these diseases all year long. So, having year-round protection against ticks is a must as a pet owner. 

Protecting Your Pets From Ticks in San Marino

There are many habits you can adopt to make tick season a little less overwhelming. 

Here are a few to keep in mind: 

• Plan tick checks after every outdoor activity - check your pet for ticks inside or around the ears, between the toes, under the collar, face, neck, and in any skin folds. 
• Promptly remove ticks - the sooner the tick is found and removed, the lower the chance of disease. 
• Keep grass short - ticks are attracted to tall grass and like to wait for your pet to pass by. Keeping it short lowers the chance of ticks being there. 
• Schedule professional tick control- having a professional treat your outdoor spaces is one of the best ways to keep ticks at bay. 

Mosquito Squad of Pasadena Can Help With Ticks

Tick control is most effective when it’s consistent. Especially in San Marino, where tick season doesn’t seem to quit. 

That’s why at Mosquito Squad of Pasadena, we offer professional tick treatment that targets shaded vegetation, property borders, and ground-level areas where ticks wait for a passing host. We also have a Yard Defender program that treats these zones on a recurring schedule, always keeping your tick control current. 

Extra note: For pet owners, especially, fleas can also be an issue. So, while you’re managing ticks, flea control can also be addressed through Yard Defender. This way, you’re covering both pests at once.

Concerned about tick risk for your San Marino pets? Call Mosquito Squad of Pasadena at (213) 238-5564 or contact us online for a free quote.