Tick Control Tips For Your Yard
Ticks aren't something you want to ignore, but many people think they only need to be concerned about these pests in the woods. Unfortunately, that isn't the case, as they can also infest your yard. Ticks can carry many potentially life threatening diseases that affect humans and animals, such as lime disease. The following can help you avoid a tick infestation.
Tip #1: Get rid of brush
Ticks tend to dwell in tall grass and brush piles, as well as on low-hanging tree branches. Keeping your lawn mowed before it gets too long or goes to seed can go a long way to preventing an infestation. Pay special attention to areas where grass tends to grow unchecked, such as along fence lines and edging. A string trimmer may be necessary to keep tall grass from taking over these areas. Also, remove any piles of brush from your yard. Not only can these harbor ticks, it can be difficult to keep grass trimmed around the piles.
Tip #2: Trim your trees
Low overhanging branches can also drop a tick on you. Deer, for example, often carry the deer tick, which also happens to be the one that spreads Lyme disease. The ticks get into trees and shrubs when the deer push through. Trim out all low hanging branches and block areas between shrubs so that deer and other tick-carrying animals can walk between them.
Tip #3: Manage your wood pile
A tick's preferred habitat when not feeding is in moist wood. For this reason, make sure your wood pile is stacked neatly so that it dries out quickly. You should also place it in a sunny area, as most ticks won't want to dwell in the heat. Finally, only bring in enough wood to burn quickly so that any ticks that hitchhike indoors are destroyed before they can find a host.
Tip #4: Encourage tick-eating birds
Ticks are a favorite treat for many insect-eating birds. You can attract the wild varieties to your yard by putting up birdhouses and providing water for them. Domesticated birds are also good at controlling ticks. Backyard chickens are becoming more common, and they can help control the ticks. If you are considering chickens, also think about adding a couple of guinea fowl to the coop. These birds consider ticks a delicacy, so they can quickly rid your yard of the pests.
In severe cases, you may need some professional help to control the pests.