Ticks can be a major pest problem in a yard with high grass or in an area surrounded by woods. This small, round insect is known for burrowing its way into the skin of pets and humans alike, causing irritation and potentially Lyme disease. If you have a tick problem in your yard it is important to deal with the situation immediately.

Yard Maintenance

Destroy the habitats that help ticks thrive. If you have a yard that has high grass, cut it down to a more manageable length. Ticks can live in ornamental grasses and large hedges also, so check these areas for infestation. Sometimes sacrificing one plant to save the entire yard from ticks is worth it. If you have a wooded area around your property, clear out any areas where there is a large amount of dead brush. If you see any old bird nests that are empty, clear them away from your property. Ticks thrive in the tangled brush of a birds nest and are often brought there originally by the bird that once inhabited it. Make sure to have a look in the nest to ensure there are not any eggs or live birds in the nest before disposing.

Chemical Control

Buy a good tick control insecticide from your local hardware or garden center. Spray your yard in the late spring or the early summer to control tick populations. Always spray after your grass has been cut down to a manageable height. Ticks cannot jump, so they rely on tall vegetation to get onto a host. They can detect many pesticides as well, and will crawl down to the bottom of tall vegetation to escape the pesticides. Spray up to a height of three feet, and try to spray both sides of all vegetation to ensure proper coverage. Spray areas where the woods meets the lawn as well to keep ticks from traveling between the two.

Safety

When cutting your lawn in an area infested with ticks, always make sure you are covered with the proper amount of clothing. Wear long pants and long sleeves to keep ticks off your skin. Always have a look at your body to make sure a tick has not taken hold of you. Have a friend or loved one check your hair as well to make sure you did not miss one. Always wear long clothing, safety glasses and gloves when spraying pesticides in your lawn. After spraying pesticides, always take a shower.

Source:

Mosquito Barrier: Tick Information

Pest Products: Tick Elimination

e-bug: Tick Control

More Information:

Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station: Pesticides for Tick Control