Ticks are pesky little critters that transmit diseases such as tularemia and babesiosis. Also, ticks are ectoparasites, which means they require a host to feed off of to survive. These critters might live off your pets, and if you don’t get rid of them, they may continue to multiply and spread diseases.
And since ticks can invade your home at any time, you should take steps to ensure every part remains pest-free. Take a look at how to prevent a full-blown invasion in your yard.
Tidy Up Your Lawn
Ticks like to hide in long grass, so make sure you mow your yard regularly to keep these parasites off. Also, since ticks can hide in any vegetation that’s close to your house, clear off any nearby plant growth. Be sure to trim tall grass and weeds so ticks can’t use these areas for cover.
Sometimes, these pests crawl into leaf piles to take a break from the weather and hunt for a host. So, be sure to rake up and remove isolated leaf piles since ticks can easily hide inside them. These critters will also hide under woodpiles, so ensure you get rid of such obvious hideouts.
Also, place woodpiles away from your house and under direct sunlight. The heat from the sun will take away any trapped moisture inside the woodpiles. Dry woodpiles discourage a tick infestation since these pests prefer to hide in relatively humid areas.
As an added tip, cover the exposed ground with gravel, sand, or mulch. This way, ticks will be unable to crawl around as they look for a place to hide. You can also install tick screens on your windows and doors. These screens close off even the tiniest gaps to keep ticks away from your personal living space.
Keep an Eye Out for Animals That Carry Ticks
Once ticks get in your yard, they’ll look for hosts to feed on. Ticks can hide in the fur of any animal, like your dog or cat. Therefore, clean your pets regularly with a special shampoo that kills these parasites on contact. Also, consider tick repellent collars for your pets as an added precaution.
You also need to keep wild animals like mice and deer off your property. These tick carriers are more likely to introduce pests into your yard.
First, eliminate any plants that could attract rodents, deer, and other wildlife to your home. Second, ensure you close off your yard with a sturdy fence. This fence should be high enough so deer and other animals can’t jump over. Firmly attach the fence to the ground to keep small rodents away.
Use Tick-Repellant Plants
Certain plants, such as catnip and marigolds, contain chemicals that ticks don’t like. Plus, ticks generally avoid fragrant plants. If you suspect a tick infestation in your yard, plant these tick-repelling plants as a way to control the invasion.
Interestingly, some plants (like ivy) attract ticks to your yard. Make sure you remove such plants before you have bigger problems to deal with. But if the tick infestation persists, contact a licensed pest control company for better expert solutions.
Depending on the tick species in your yard, a qualified pest control technician can implement several control plans. They often use pesticides, insecticides, or barriers to prevent a full-on tick invasion. You may want to avoid DIY methods because ticks are dangerous disease-carrying pests. An infestation would require specialized professional treatment for the best results.
Ticks pose a serious health risk to you and your loved ones. Contact The Mosquito Masters today if you want more information on how to manage your tick infestation problem.