Tick Prevention Tips for Your Yard This Season
Ticks, known for carrying diseases, are becoming an increasing concern not only in wooded areas but also in residential backyards. According to Consumer Reports, ticks thrive in cool, shady, and damp environments, such as tall grass and yard debris. To reduce the risk of ticks in your yard, experts recommend keeping grass trimmed to about 3 inches, clearing away leaves and brush, and creating a three-foot barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas. Additionally, discouraging animals like deer and mice, which often carry ticks, can help minimize their presence. Measures such as installing tall fences and using bait boxes designed to kill ticks on mice are suggested. Personal protection, including wearing long clothing and using EPA-registered insect repellents like DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or picaridin, remains essential when spending time outdoors. 
