Ticks survive in shaded, humid spots and dry out quickly in direct sun. You will rarely find them in the middle of a bright lawn. They tend to hide in places like leaf litter and tall grass.
Ticks are not spread evenly across the yard. You can see this if you take a light-colored cloth and drag it across your property. Ticks will show up on the cloth in clusters in very specific places and be nearly absent in others. This is good news because it tells you where to focus your attention if you have a tick problem on your hands.
The biggest problem area in most yards is the transition zone. This is where your mowed lawn gives way to woods or brush. Ticks dry out in the sun easily so they need to stay in shaded, humid places instead. Leaf litter and tall grass are a couple of good examples.
If you’re looking for ways to reduce the presence of ticks on your lawn, you can start by mowing the grass and raking leaves. This helps more than most people expect. You can also cut back brush along the edges of your yard and thin out landscaping by your house. If you have play equipment and seating near those transition zones, consider moving it into sunnier areas.
If you’re still having trouble, many people deal with it by putting a three-foot band of wood chips or gravel where lawn meets the woods. Ticks are reluctant to cross that barrier to dry ground. And if you happen to use firewood, stack it away from your home so ticks don’t shelter in it right by your house.
If ticks are turning up in your yard, Mosquito Squad of Chelmsford & Cambridge can help. Mosquito Squad treats the shaded edges and ground cover where ticks wait for a host. This will help you protect your family with up to 90% reduction in pest activity on a recurring cycle.
