Got Ticks?
How to Keep Ticks Out of Your Yard
Keeping ticks out of a yard is easy with the following simple steps. The presence of ticks puts our families at risk for tick-borne diseases. By using these tips you can keep ticks out of your yard.
Knowing the habits and habitats of ticks is your best defense. Ticks are brought into your yard by wandering wildlife such as deer.
The ticks will thrive in your yard if they find small hosts, such as mice, and a yard welcoming to ticks.
Take this 3-step approach to reduce tick population in your yard. It will help reduce your family’s risk:
1. Install a perimeter deer fence. It will reduce the number of ticks brought into your yard.
2. Reduce rodent populations with simple yard maintenance.
3. Plan your yard layout and landscaping to reduce tick-friendly habitats.
Install a Perimeter Deer Fence
Ticks invade your yard by way of transient wildlife such as deer, raccoons, or skunks. The most effective way to keep wildlife out of your yard is to install deer fencing.
Poly or metal rollout deer fencing is a budget friendly way to create this wildlife barrier. Roll out a deer fence from tree to tree along the edges of a woodsy yard.
And don’t forget your pets! Fencing prevents deer from bringing ticks into your yard. But it also deters pets from roaming into tick-infested areas. For more information on tick control using a fence: tick control
Pictured above: A 2" opening polypropylene plastic deer fence paired with a smaller 1" opening steel bottom. The steel bottom is overlapped and staked to the ground facing outwards; this acts as a dig deterrent to prevent animals from getting under the fence.
Reduce Rodent Populations to Reduce Ticks
While deer travel with ticks, ticks are not infected with disease-causing pathogens. Small animal hosts, particularly common mice, carry these illnesses.
Addressing rodent problem areas close to your home will decrease your backyard tick population.
Here are five tips to reduce rodents and ticks:
- Move damp wood piles to sunny areas.
- Clear rock walls of overgrowth.
- Clear away leaves gathered under porches and sheds.
- Secure stored trash so they aren't accessible to mice.
- Avoid open compost piles.
Birdseeds can Feed Rodents
Do you feed the birds? While birds do eat ticks, fallen birdseed could be feeding your mice and population.
Avoid excessive birdseeds on the ground. Identify the most popular seeds your birds prefer and you won't have leftover seeds for the mice!
Landscape to Reduce Ticks
Ticks thrive in damp, shady places and are far less likely to be in a sunny lawn.
Here are three easy landscaping tips to help keep out ticks:
- Cut back trees and shrubs that hang over your yard or home.
- Remove thick, damp brushy areas.
- Keep your grass cut and do not over water.
Choose sunny spots for play equipment and any social spaces in your yard. Ticks do not like crossing cedar mulch or stone. Surround play spaces with cedar mulch or stone to keep out ticks.
Consider creating a perimeter barrier around your yard or around your deer fence. Create several feet of land cleared of brush to reduce the dampness ticks thrive on. You can also add a mulched or stone bed several feet wide.
Tick Defense
Tick checks should be a common practice in your household. Make it a habit to conduct a tick check after spending time outside during warm weather months.