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May 20, 2024
Ticks are not just a nuisance; they can pose serious health risks to humans and pets, transmitting illness like Lyme disease. While there are various tick prevention strategies, one often overlooked solution lies right in our backyards—literally. Maintaining a well-mowed lawn isn't just about aesthetics; it's also a great way to reduce tick habitats and potentially lower the chances of encountering ticks while spending time outdoors. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how the simple chore of mowing can play a significant role in keeping ticks away from your family and pets over the summer.
First, what attracts ticks to yards
Deer ticks are most active when the weather gets warmer, and they thrive in humid environments. Untended lawns, tall grasses, dense overgrowth along the edges of your property, and wooded areas are perfect examples of places where ticks are likely to be found. Unlike mosquitoes that fly, ticks wait on the tips of grass or leaves for a host to pass by and then drop down and latch on. Ticks do not do well under the bright sun or in dry conditions, which means a well-maintained lawn is a less hospitable environment for them.
Why regular lawn mowing is important to deter tick activity
Right now, many homeowners are participating in “No Mow May,” and while we appreciate the reasoning behind the movement, it may cause more problems down the road. We all want to protect the pollinators, but tick-borne illnesses are not something you should ignore either.
That’s why regular lawn mowing is a fundamental step in tick control. By keeping the grass short, you remove the prime habitat for ticks, making it harder for them to latch onto passing hosts. Ticks prefer tall grass where they can climb to the top, waiting for an opportunity to attach themselves to a host. By mowing your lawn consistently, you disrupt this cycle, reducing the likelihood of encountering ticks.
Well-manicured lawns also reduce moisture issues
Ticks also need moisture; tall grass holds onto moisture, creating a perfect environment for these blood-sucking pests. When you regularly mow your lawn, you not only keep the grass short but also improve airflow and sunlight penetration. This helps to dry out the soil and reduce humidity levels. A drier environment is less favorable for ticks and can reduce the tick population.
Additional tick prevention tips
Keeping your lawn mowed is incredibly helpful in tick prevention, but it's not the only measure you should take. Here are some more tick prevention tips to consider:
- Trim shrubs, bushes, and overhanging branches to reduce tick habitats around your property.
- Install a fence around your yard that keeps deer and other wildlife (that often introduce ticks) off your property.
- Speak with your vet about the best tick-preventative products for your pets, especially those that go outside.
- Perform regular tick checks on yourself, your family members, and your pets after spending time outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas.
Sign up for seasonal tick control today!
A well-mowed lawn isn't just about curb appeal; it's a proactive step in protecting your family from tick bites. Another proactive measure against tick encounters is signing up for Pine State Pest Solutions’ seasonal tick control services! Available in Turner, Yarmouth, and Durham as well as throughout our multi-county service area, you can count on our team to reduce the tick population on your property with multiple treatments spread out over spring, summer, and fall. During each visit, we’ll treat areas where ticks often hide out, including, but not limited to, lawns and yards, low brush, and fence lines.
In addition to our tick control solution, we offer our Tick Plus Mosquito Service. This plan runs April through October and is designed to eliminate both biting pests!
Please reach out today if you’d like a tick control quote or if you have any questions about how our locally owned and operated pest control company can help you keep ticks away!
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