Kim Douglass, a public health biologist with the California Department of Public Health’s Vector-Borne Disease Section, addressed questions about ticks at the Bohart Museum of Entomology’s recent “Eight-Legged Encounters” open house, according to a March 23 event. The gathering drew approximately 300 visitors and focused on arachnids such as scorpions, tarantulas, whip spiders—and ticks.
The event highlighted the importance of tick awareness as temperatures rise and tick activity increases. Ticks are known for their ability to transmit diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Douglass engaged attendees by asking them what they knew about ticks, where they might encounter them, how to prevent bites, and what steps to take if bitten.
Douglass explained that common human-biting hard ticks in California include the Western black-legged tick (a vector for Lyme disease), Pacific Coast tick (vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and tularemia), American dog tick (vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), and brown dog tick (also a vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever). She discussed prevention methods such as using repellent in areas where ticks are common, wearing light-colored clothing with long sleeves and pants tucked into socks or boots, conducting body checks after outdoor activities, and promptly removing attached ticks with tweezers.
“Most people knew ticks were parasites that drink blood, can carry pathogens that cause disease… People seemed less familiar with what a tick actually looked like and that they are arachnids,” Douglass said. She also noted surprise among visitors regarding the small size of some life stages of ticks and limited familiarity with Lyme disease risks in California.
The Bohart Museum houses eight million insect specimens from around the world. It also features a live petting zoo and an insect-themed gift shop. Upcoming events include participation in UC Davis Picnic Day on April 18 at Briggs Hall from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by another open house themed “Buzz Words: Insects in Literature” on May 16.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources secures funding through public contributions to support its programs according to the official website. The organization promotes sustainable practices aimed at strengthening resilient ecosystems and economic vitality according to its official website. It operates nine research centers representing diverse ecosystems across California according to its official website, manages Cooperative Extension services within all counties as part of the University of California system, conducts over 33,800 educational events annually while engaging more than 18,400 volunteers according to its official website, extends university research through workshops statewide via partnerships as reported by its official site, and is recognized for linking research directly with community needs according to its official website.
Douglass emphasized early detection: “Early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease (3–30 days after tick bite) include flu-like symptoms… Additionally, a rash–often appearing as a ‘bullseye’–is common but may be difficult to see.”
