For these reasons, vaccinated individuals should continue to employ personal protective measures whenever they venture outdoors. It has four pairs of legs, a dark brownish black plate on its back, and a light-colored abdomen. Know where the ticks occur. The western black-legged tick is the most widely distributed of the 48 species of ticks known to occur in California. In fact, it has been recorded from 55 of the 58 counties.
Ticks are easier to spot against light-colored clothing.
Tuck your blouse or shirt into your pants, and tuck pant legs into boots or socks. As an added precaution, commercially available repellents or pesticides can be sprayed on skin or clothing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Water or perspiration can wash repellents from your skin, so they may need to be reapplied after swimming or perspiring heavily. Inspect your clothing and exposed skin for ticks at least once an hour.