It’s Tick Season

Yes, it’s Tick season. Tick season in Indiana runs from late May to August but can start earlier, depending on the weather. Trees surround our backyard, and woods are directly behind our fence. My wife is convinced that ticks will wait for her in the trees and jump down on her. However, ticks are arachnids, not insects, and they are unable to jump or leap. Since they don’t jump, they climb on vegetation, like grass and shrubs, and wait for a passing animal or my wife to brush against them, allowing them to latch on to her, I mean them.

Did you know there are several types of ticks? “Besides the black-legged tick, other tick species in Indiana include the Lone star tick, the American dog tick (a.k.a. Wood tick), the Brown dog tick, the Asian longhorned tick, and the Gulf Coast tick. Certain species of ticks carry specific pathogens.” — Purdue Extension — Do All You Can to Prevent Tick Bites.

Reducing Ticks in Your Yard

So, to reduce ticks in your yard, the best thing you can do is maintain a well-groomed lawn, remove debris, and create barriers. Because ticks can be found in tall grass, leaf litter, and along wooded edges. Ticks in your yard can be a concern because they carry diseases like Lyme disease and can pose health risks to both pets and humans. Here are some tips to manage and prevent ticks in your yard:

How to Minimize Tick Populations Around Your Home

1. Create Tick-Free Zones

Mow the Lawn Regularly: Keeping your grass short (we recommend 4nches) reduces tick habitats.
Trim Overgrown Shrubs and Trees: Ticks often dwell in shaded areas, so trimming these areas reduces their hiding spots.
Use Mulch and Gravel: Because these materials discourage ticks and other pests from nesting in your yard.

2. Remove Leaf Litter and Debris

Ticks hide in leaves, wood piles, and other organic debris. so always, rake up leaves and remove other potential hiding spots.

3. Use Tick-Control Products

Pesticides: You can apply tick control pesticides specifically designed for yards. Always read and follow instructions carefully.
Natural Alternatives: Essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, and cedarwood can deter ticks. Products containing these oils can be sprayed around your yard.

4. Create a Barrier

Fencing: Deer and other wild animals can be tick carriers. Consider installing fencing to limit their access to your yard.
Tick Barrier: A strip of wood chips or gravel can create a barrier around your yard, making it harder for ticks to migrate in.

5. Check Pets and Family Members

After spending time outside, check pets and family members for ticks, especially in high-risk areas like the neck, behind the ears, and between the toes. My wife does not like me to do this to her.

6. Promote Wildlife Control

Limit Rodent Populations: Ticks often travel with small animals like rodents. Securing trash cans and eliminating food sources can help keep rodents in check.

7. Consider Professional Help

If you have a severe tick problem, you may want to consult with a pest control expert who can use stronger methods to treat your yard.

Ticks can be a problem—just ask my wife. If they get out of control, they can be dangerous to you, your family, and your pets. So, if we can be of any service, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re just a tick… I mean a click away.

How Can We Help You?

Berger Hargis has a company philosophy of providing personal excellence for all our services. Our growth and success have been due entirely to our commitment to honest, excellent customer service. The company is built on the referral business we have received due to this philosophy.

So, if we can answer any questions about pest control or landscaping in general, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.

About the Author

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management.

Photo by Erik Karits on Unsplash

Go Back