Homes in and around the dunes do tend to deal with more ticks. Dune grass and brush, as well as the abundant wildlife, give ticks everything they need for a comfortable habitat. With more ticks comes a higher risk of tickborne disease.
Risk of catching a tick-borne illness comes down to how often you’re exposed to ticks. Living beside the dunes increases your odds of running into ticks, which also means your odds of illness go up too.
The main reason comes down to habitat. Dune grasses and brush are good places for ticks to hide since they are shaded and hold humidity. Ticks would otherwise dry out in the sun and heat. But also, these vegetated areas are host to deer, mice, rabbits, and birds, all of which are hosts for ticks.
Dune communities also tend to be outdoorsy. People walk the trails and garden. They let their kids and dogs roam the yard. That means that not only are there more ticks, but people tend to do things that put them closer to ticks more often.
That doesn’t mean that you have to choose between your outdoor lifestyle and illness prevention. Personal protection with a repellent helps, as does checking for ticks after time outdoors. Keeping pets on vet-recommended preventatives is also a great idea. Beyond that, if you have tick problems on your property, a professional tick control company can come by to treat those areas to help tamp down on the population.
If you're tired of the extra tick worry that comes with living near the dunes, Mosquito Squad of Northwest Indiana can help. Mosquito Squad treats the brushy, vegetated edges where dune ticks gather. This can help you to protect your family with up to 90% reduction in pest activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
