Why Fall Leaf Cleanup Can Put New Berlin Homeowners Closer to Tick Habitats

The perfect backdrop to sipping a pumpkin spice latte wearing your favorite cozy sweater are the vibrant hues of changing fall leaves. Soon, though, those leaves will cover your yard, and if not maintained, those beautiful leaves will leave your yard quite a mess. Underneath those crunchy leaves may be a damp environment, giving ticks the perfect place to call home as they wait for their next meal. If you are looking for New Berlin WI tick control, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of tick bites while maintaining your yard in the fall months.

Why Leaf Cleanup Is Important for Homeowners

As the temperatures drop, your backyard trees start going into survival mode. As chlorophyll production begins to fade, the leaf colors change, and they will start dropping from the trees. The trees will go into dormancy to prepare for new spring growth. If you have large, mature trees, the leaves will begin to layer on the ground, blocking sunlight and suffocating the grass underneath. With rainfall, the area underneath the leaves will become an ample environment for mold and mildew. That moisture is an ideal place for ticks and other outdoor pests to hide and even breed. Fall leaf cleanup is a necessary task to keep your yard healthy, lower your risk of tick bites, and keep your yard looking great throughout the autumn season.

Tick Habitats in your Backyard

Where there are leaves falling there are trees, and ticks love these wooded areas. They love the shade, the cool temperature, the moisture, and all the creatures that also make wooded areas their home, which they can make into their next meal. As you clean up fall leaves, you are also brushing against and maybe even entering their habitat. Thankfully, there are precautions you can take to lower your risk of tick bites. While completing fall yard chores like leaf cleanup, be sure to wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck your pants into your socks or boots. Always wear closed-toe shoes. When you are done outside, tumble your clothes in the dryer on high for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks that have hitched a ride. Be sure to check yourself for ticks with a mirror or have a loved one check you.

Tips for Deterring Backyard Ticks

If you have multiple trees in your backyard, you can add wood chips, gravel, or cedar mulch around them and around the wooded areas to deter ticks from making those areas their home. Keeping branches pruned and clearing yard debris can also help deter ticks and other pests. If you have any wood piles around your yard, put them in a dry, sunny area and remove any damp wood. If you have a swingset or other play equipment, keep them away from wooded areas. Fencing can help keep rodents and other animals out of your yard that could potentially bring in ticks that have made them a host. Taking all of these steps can reduce your risk of tick bites, but if you want extra peace of mind and protection, call the professionals at Mosquito Squad Plus of Waukesha County and Milwaukee North Shore. We can apply our barrier treatment that can help reduce up to 85-90% of ticks and other outdoor pests. We also have specialized tick treatments like tick tubes and granular applications for a targeted approach.

Call us at (262) 333-0395 or contact us for a free, no-obligation quote. Enjoy autumn and complete those yard tasks like fall leaf cleanup with peace of mind!