Protect Your Backyard: Simple Tips for Controlling Ticks

As the weather warms up and we spend more time outdoors, it’s important to stay alert to the presence of ticks. These small, spider-like arachnids are often mistaken for insects, but their eight legs and round bodies give them away. Ticks are more than just a nuisance, they can carry harmful diseases like Lyme disease, so managing their presence around your home is key to protecting your family and pets.

Ticks become active in spring and stay active through fall, typically from March through November. They thrive in vegetated areas such as forests, meadows, parks, and even backyards. Often, they latch onto people or pets when they brush past tall grass, shrubs, or leaf litter. Fortunately, there are several simple, effective ways to reduce the risk of ticks in your yard.

1. Mow Your Lawn Regularly

Short grass gives ticks fewer places to hide. Keep your lawn trimmed and make sure to promptly remove any cut grass and fallen leaves to avoid creating tick-friendly cover.

2. Clear Tall Grass, Brush, and Leaf Litter

Ticks love shaded, moist environments. Clear out brush, tall grass, and leaf piles around your yard and along any trails to make the area less hospitable for ticks.

3. Don’t Feed the Deer

Deer are common carriers of ticks. To help keep them away, avoid feeding wildlife and consider installing fencing or other barriers around your yard.

4. Move Play Equipment to Sunny, Open Areas

Ticks prefer cool, shady spots. Place swing sets, picnic tables, and other outdoor furniture away from wooded edges and tall grass, ideally in sunny areas where ticks are less likely to thrive.

5. Use Wood Chips or Gravel as a Barrier

Create a clear boundary between your lawn and wooded areas by laying down wood chips or gravel. These materials not only look nice but also serve as a dry buffer zone that ticks don’t like to cross.

6. Store Firewood Properly

Piles of moist wood in shady spots can attract ticks and the rodents that carry them. Keep firewood stacked neatly in a sunny location, off the ground if possible.

By taking a few proactive steps, you can significantly reduce the chance of ticks invading your yard. For more detailed tips and tick safety resources, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Tick Bite Prevention page.