You check by dragging a light-colored cloth slowly over the shaded, brushy, and wooded-edge parts of your yard. Pennsylvania has high rates of Lyme disease, so this is worth doing because it can help you measure risk in your own living spaces.
Pennsylvania is one of the highest risk states for Lyme disease. The wooded suburbs of West Chester and Delaware County are prime territory for the blacklegged ticks that carry the disease. It’s a smart idea to check your yard for the presence of ticks and isn’t an overreaction.
The method we recommend is the tick drag. You can do this by attaching a square of light-colored cloth or an old white pillowcase to a stick or rope. Then drag it through leaf litter, tall grass, groundcover, and the wooded edges of your property. Stop and check every few feet. Ticks waiting for a host grab the cloth and you can see them easily against the light fabric.
Focus on the zones where lawn meets woods or brush. If you notice mice or chipmunks running around in specific areas, check those areas too. Mice and chipmunks are common hosts for ticks and they tend to shed them as they travel.
If a tick drag confirms you have a lot of ticks, there are things you can do. First is maintenance like mowing the grass and clearing leaf litter. You might also try adding a three-foot dry mulch or gravel barrier between lawn and woods. But beyond that, it may be time to call for help with tick control. Lyme disease is risky, and there’s no reason to chance it.
If you're tired of wondering what's in your grass in a state with PA's Lyme numbers, Mosquito Squad of Southeast PA can help. Mosquito Squad treats the shaded, brushy edges where ticks gather, helping protect your family with up to 90% reduction in pest activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
