How to Kill Ticks in Your Yard: Control & Treatment Tips

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Lawn Doctor

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Ticks are more than just a nuisance. They are adept at playing hide and seek in your hair or clothing, and these parasitic predators require care to remove them once found. They can also carry and transmit diseases that pose serious health risks to humans and pets. At Lawn Doctor, we understand the importance of maintaining a tick-free yard. In this guide, we’ll provide you with detailed information on ticks, their habits and how to effectively treat and prevent tick infestations in your yards.

When Are Ticks Active?

Ticks are arthropods that thrive in warm, humid environments. Their activity levels vary depending on the species and geographical location. Generally, ticks are most active during the warmer months, typically from spring to fall. However, some species, such as the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), can be active year-round in warmer climates. Ticks have a complex life cycle, consisting of four stages: egg, larva, nymph and adult. They require blood meals from hosts to progress to the next stage. This quest for a nourishing meal is when ticks are most likely to come into contact with humans and pets because they seek a warm-blooded host.

Where Do Ticks Like to Hide?

Contrary to popular belief, ticks do not typically live in trees or short grass. Instead, they prefer habitats with tall vegetation and high humidity levels. Common tick hideouts include:

Long grass. Ticks lie in wait for a passing host, a behavior known as “questing.” They cling to the tips of grass blades and latch onto a host as it brushes past.
Leaf litter. Ticks can survive for long periods of time in leaf litter, where they find both cover and humidity. Regularly raking and removing leaf litter can help reduce tick populations. If you or anyone dives onto any piles, try to keep them fresh and immediately dispose of them after the fun.
Woodpiles. Woodpiles provide shelter and moisture for ticks, making them an ideal habitat for certain species. Keep any woodpiles you create away from high-traffic areas to help minimize contact with ticks.
Overgrown shrubs. Dense shrubs and bushes offer ticks protection from the elements and serve as ideal launching pads when a potential host passes nearby. Regularly trimming and pruning shrubs can help reduce tick populations.

While ticks can be found in short grass, they’re more likely to be in areas where the grass is longer and moist. Although they thrive in moist and dense vegetation, keep in mind that ticks can be anywhere, even in short, well-maintained lawns.

How Do You Know If You Have a Tick Problem?

The first sign of a tick problem is often the presence of ticks on your body or your pets after spending time outside. Regular tick checks after outdoor activities will help with early detection and prevention. Other signs of a tick problem include:

Finding tick nests or “tick drag lines.” These are visible trails of ticks moving in a line, often seen in tall grass or leaf litter.
Increased tick encounters. If you are more frequently finding ticks on yourself or family members and pets, it may indicate a more significant tick population.
Observing wildlife with ticks. Deer, mice and other small mammals can carry ticks into your yard. You often can’t get close enough to check, but if you happen to notice these animals with ticks, you’ll want to increase your awareness and take proactive measures.

How Do You Get Rid of Ticks in Your Yard?

Eliminating ticks from your yard requires a multi-faceted approach. Here are some steps you can take:

Maintain your lawn. Keep your grass mowed, remove leaf litter and trim back overgrown shrubs. Regular yard maintenance can help reduce tick populations by removing their preferred habitats.
Create a barrier. Install a 3-foot-wide barrier of wood chips or gravel around the perimeter of your lawn. These dry areas discourage ticks from migrating into your yard.
Discourage wildlife. Use fencing to keep deer out of your yard, and consider removing bird feeders, which can attract rodents that carry ticks.
Treat your yard. Consider using a professional tick control service, like that offered by Lawn Doctor. Our treatments target ticks at every stage of their life cycle, helping to keep your yard safe and enjoyable.

How Do You Control or Prevent a Tick Infestation?

Regular yard maintenance and professional tick control treatments can greatly reduce potential tick populations. At Lawn Doctor, we offer treatments that target ticks at every stage of their life cycle. You can also take additional measures to protect yourself when spending time outdoors:

Wear long sleeves, long pants and closed-toe shoes.
Tuck your pants into your socks for added protection.
Apply EPA-registered insect repellents to exposed skin and clothing.
Check your body and clothing for ticks and immediately remove them.
Use veterinarian-approved tick preventatives on your pets.

Keeping your yard as tick-free as possible improves the health and safety of your family and pets. If you’re concerned about ticks in your yard, don’t hesitate to contact lawn pest control experts at Lawn Doctor. We’ll assess your unique situation and partner with you throughout the entire tick season to keep these common pests at bay.

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