Summer is in full swing — that means plenty of time spent outdoors soaking up the sun. Unfortunately, that also means exposure to mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. If you spend a lot of time outside during the summer, use these tips and tricks to keep ticks out of your yard.
- Purchase tick repelling plants
There are several landscaping plants on the market that can help control ticks. If you consider yourself a home chef, plant garlic, sage, mint, or rosemary to keep the ticks at bay and create flavorful dishes simultaneously. Lavender and beautyberry plants are also natural tick repellants. Marigolds deter ticks, too, and look beautiful when they bloom. If you don’t have a garden, you can place any of these plants in containers to situate near your windows, doors, or outdoor furniture. - Minimize how much ground is covered
Ticks and other pests like to hide under planters, lawn ornaments, and other yard fixtures you might have. Discourage these pests from living in your yard by limiting the amount of covered ground. Ticks also dislike the heat, so try to reduce the amount of shade your yard has. If there aren’t as many shady areas, you can prevent ticks from getting too comfortable. - Stop tick-carrying wildlife from coming into your yard
Wildlife like deer and mice often carry ticks. If you notice a lot of these creatures in your yard, take preventative measures to keep them — and ultimately, the ticks — out. Incorporate plants that deer won’t eat into your landscape. This will eventually force them to turn elsewhere for food, limiting their appearance in your yard. Keep the mice at bay by ensuring your trash lives in a secure bin until your local pickup day. - Use tick repellent
Fortunately, there are several at-home remedies you can try to ward ticks off. Natural essential oils like rosemary, cedar, lemongrass, peppermint, citronella, and geranium are non-toxic options that prevent ticks from lingering in your yard for too long. In most cases, you can mix these essential oils with water and spray them on the plants in your yard, around doorways, or even on yourself to help keep the ticks away. - Mow frequently
Most ticks like to hide out in tall grass where there is a higher chance of grabbing unto a host as they walk by. Keeping your grass trimmed will encourage ticks to seek a more likely hunting ground. - Keep walkways clear
Make sure to trim back or prune any shrubs or bushes that might be extending far enough into a walking areas where you might rub up against them. - Create a natural barrier
If possible surround your yard with a barrier of wood chips or gravel. These areas will be hot and dry making a crossing for a tick difficult. - Hire professionals
If all else fails and you want a simple solution to the tick problem in your yard, contact the pros. For the best in flea and tick control, trust Moyer. Our experts will evaluate your property and recommend the flea and tick treatment that’s right for your home.