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is your lawn a breeding ground for ticks

As the weather warms up across the country, families will begin to spend more time outdoors in their backyards and lawns playing, grilling, picnicking, and having fun. Unfortunately, ticks are also out this time of year - and their idea of fun is feasting on you and your loved ones. Not only do ticks bite people and animals, they potentially carry Lyme disease, which can have severe and long-lasting effects if left undianosed.

Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep your favorite grassy area free of ticks (and other pests!).

Keep it Clean

Ticks, and most bugs, love overgrown lawns with lots of leaf debris. They live in it, hiding out and waiting for their next meal. A tick can hitch its way into your yard via an animal, so if you often have deer, raccoons, or even stray cats, your yard may have been exposed to ticks.

The best thing you can do is keep your lawn clean and mowed. Short grass doesn’t collect moisture which ticks need to thrive. It’s also easier to spot ticks in short grass. Getting rid of old leaves and cleaning up the yard will also help with mosquitoes, flies, and other unwanted guests.

Discourage Animals from Visiting

You may not mind the squirrels and enjoy the sight of deer, but ticks can travel on any animal. Even field mice that occasionally visit may carry ticks. To stop most of these animal pests, you can use a fence around your property line. You may also plant certain flowers and herbs like rosemary, lavender, or sage that repel deer and other creatures. You may also resort to leaving poison but if you’d prefer to naturally repel these creatures try making your house less welcoming.

Ground Coverings that Deter Ticks

Ticks hate wood chips and gravel. It makes it difficult for them to travel into your yard, hurting their feet. Think of the human equivalent of walking on glass. You can use gravel or wood chips to line your property, effectively separating your lawn from any other wild wooded areas.

In the same spirit, you can also use a mulch to create a barrier. It gets too hot, which ticks do not like. A few feet of it into your property will create a cushion between your lawn or backyard and any wishful ticks.

Call an Exterminator

If you do see a tick this spring or summer, don’t wait - call an exterminator right away. At Eagle Pest Services, our professionals have years of experience helping community members keep their property pest-free. Dial 1-888-616-8739 to talk to an expert that can help you keep your yard free of potential bug hazards. Once you’ve seen one tick, chances are there are thousands more that you don’t see.