Tick Proof Your Yard
Tick Proof Your Yard
The number of people getting diseases transmitted by ticks has more than tripled in the United States in recent years, federal health officials reported on Tuesday. There are simple ways to help tick proof your yard and make it safer for family and pets to use. The most simple way is to keep your grass cut low. 2 to 2.5 inches is ideal. Longer grass provides darkness and shade which ticks love. You should also clear brush piles which provide an ideal place for ticks to hide.
Ticks also hate mulch which is why you should create a “mulch moat” around your yard. Ticks are unlikely to cross wood chips because it actually irritates their legs. If you want to go with an even more natural route, purchase a flock of free-range chickens. They eat ticks and an added bonus is that you’ll have fresh eggs!
Part of repelling ticks is also repelling the creatures that carry them. Lyme Disease-carrying deer ticks are often the most dangerous. Keeping deer out of your yard is important to repel these pests. You can use deer repellents, erect deer fencing, and or only grow plants that are unappealing to deer. Rodents also carry ticks so move anything that attracts them (such as bird feeders) to the edge of the yard.
Pets can carry ticks in your home that can jump off and bite humans. Treat your pet monthly with a topical tick repellent and be sure to check them after being outside for an extended period of time. If your yard is particularly tick prone, make sure to spray yourself with repellent before heading outside. Wearing light-colored clothing will make it easier to find ticks that have crawled on your clothes. Tuck your pants inside socks to keep ticks crawling up the inside of them. Drying the clothes for 10 minutes on high will kill any ticks that have managed to go unnoticed.
Naturescape, LLC provides customers with a professional and nurturing experience from the beginning to the end of each landscaping project. From design to installation to protecting your landscape investment with quality management programs your experience will be exciting and gratifying.
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