Explore

Consumer Reports Advises on Tick-Proofing Yards to Prevent Illnesses

Consumer Reports Advises on Tick-Proofing Yards to Prevent Illnesses

Consumer Reports has highlighted the increasing threat of ticks and the illnesses they carry, which are not limited to hiking trails but are also prevalent in backyards. According to Paul Hope from Consumer Reports, ticks thrive in tall grass and damp, shaded areas. To mitigate this risk, it is recommended to mow grass to about 3 inches high, trim tall grasses and weeds, and clear away piles of leaves and brush. Additionally, creating a three-foot barrier of dry wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas can help prevent ticks from entering yards. The report also suggests discouraging animals like deer and mice, which can carry ticks, by using tall fences and bait boxes that kill ticks on mice without harming the animals.

Consumer Reports Offers Yard Maintenance Tips to Reduce Tick Exposure

Consumer Reports Offers Yard Maintenance Tips to Reduce Tick Exposure

Consumer Reports has released a set of guidelines aimed at reducing tick exposure in residential yards, as tick-borne illnesses continue to rise. Paul Hope from Consumer Reports emphasizes the importance of maintaining short grass, as ticks prefer cool, shady areas under tall grass. Homeowners are advised to trim tall grass and weeds, especially around walkways, and to remove leaves and debris that can provide shelter for ticks. In areas bordering woods, a 3-foot barrier of dry wood chips or gravel is recommended to deter ticks. Additionally, reducing wildlife such as deer and mice, which can carry ticks, is suggested. Personal protection measures, such as wearing long clothing and using insect repellent, are also advised during yard work.

Tick Prevention Tips for Homeowners in Manchester, NH

Tick Prevention Tips for Homeowners in Manchester, NH

Ticks and the illnesses they carry, such as Lyme disease, are becoming increasingly prevalent, with some species expanding into new areas. Consumer Reports has shared practical yard maintenance tips to help reduce tick exposure. Shaded areas under tall grass are particularly attractive to ticks, so keeping grass trimmed to a height of 3 inches is recommended. Homeowners are advised to bag grass clippings in areas with high tick populations or after delayed mowing. Additional measures include trimming tall grass and weeds, removing debris like leaves and brush, and creating a 3-foot barrier of dry wood chips or gravel along wooded edges to deter ticks. Wildlife such as deer and mice, which can carry ticks, should also be discouraged from entering yards using high fences or bait boxes. Personal protection during yard work, such as wearing long clothing and using insect repellent, is also emphasized.

Protect Your Yard from Ticks: Key Tips for Prevention

Protect Your Yard from Ticks: Key Tips for Prevention

Ticks, known for carrying diseases, are increasingly becoming a concern not just in wooded areas but also in residential backyards. According to Consumer Reports, ticks thrive in damp, shaded areas, particularly under 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 trimming tall grasses and weeds near walkways and play areas. For properties bordering wooded areas, creating a three-foot barrier of dry wood chips or gravel can help prevent ticks from migrating into your yard. Additionally, animals like deer and mice, which often carry ticks, can be deterred with measures such as tall fencing or bait boxes designed to kill ticks without harming the animals.

Tips to Keep Ticks Out of Your Yard Amid Rising ER Visits

Tips to Keep Ticks Out of Your Yard Amid Rising ER Visits

Emergency room visits due to tick bites have reached their highest level in a decade, according to Consumer Reports. Ticks, which can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, are becoming a growing concern for homeowners. Consumer Reports offers practical advice to minimize tick presence in yards, including keeping grass trimmed, removing leaf litter, and creating barriers between wooded areas and recreational spaces. These measures aim to reduce the risk of tick bites and protect families from tick-borne illnesses.

Tick-Borne Illnesses on the Rise in Northern Illinois

Tick-Borne Illnesses on the Rise in Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois is experiencing an increase in tick-borne illnesses as tick activity rises during the warmer months. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the state is home to 13 tick species, with six commonly encountered by humans, including the Lone Star Tick, which can transmit the Heartland Virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that ticks bite approximately 31 million Americans annually, with Illinois accounting for over 620,000 bites. The Heartland Virus, spread by Lone Star Ticks, can cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle pain, and in rare cases, lead to an allergy to meat and dairy products. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for the virus, making prevention critical.

Climate Change Expands Valley Fever's Reach, Threatening New U.S. Regions

Climate Change Expands Valley Fever's Reach, Threatening New U.S. Regions

Valley Fever, a fungal disease historically confined to the arid regions of the Southwest U.S., is spreading to new areas due to changing weather patterns. The disease, caused by the coccidioides fungus, thrives in dry soil and becomes airborne during dust storms and floods. Recent climate changes, characterized by hotter, drier conditions interspersed with extreme rain events, have facilitated the spread of these spores beyond their traditional habitats. According to Dr. John Galgiani, director of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence, the disease is now being reported in states like Oregon and Washington, with potential expansion into the Midwest and even Canada in the coming decades. California has already reported a significant number of cases in 2026, nearing the total for the previous year.

Consumer Reports Offers Tips to Keep Ticks Out of Yards Amid Rising ER Visits

Consumer Reports Offers Tips to Keep Ticks Out of Yards Amid Rising ER Visits

Consumer Reports has released guidance on how to prevent ticks from infesting residential yards, as emergency room visits due to tick bites have reached their highest level in a decade. The report emphasizes the importance of maintaining a tick-free environment to reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, which have been on the rise. The advice includes keeping grass short, removing leaf litter, and creating barriers between wooded areas and lawns. These measures aim to minimize the habitat for ticks and reduce human exposure to these parasites.

Tick Bite ER Visits Reach Decade High: Tips for Yard Protection

Tick Bite ER Visits Reach Decade High: Tips for Yard Protection

Emergency room visits due to tick bites have reached their highest level in ten years, according to Consumer Reports. This concerning trend highlights the growing prevalence of ticks and the associated risks of tick-borne illnesses. Ticks thrive in grassy, wooded, and shaded areas, making residential yards a common habitat. Consumer Reports emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to reduce tick populations in outdoor spaces. Strategies include maintaining a well-trimmed lawn, removing leaf litter, and creating barriers between wooded areas and recreational spaces. These steps can significantly lower the risk of tick encounters and bites, which are often linked to diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Consumer Reports Ranks Top Tick Repellents for 2026

Consumer Reports Ranks Top Tick Repellents for 2026

Consumer Reports (CR), a trusted independent product review organization, has released its rankings for the best tick repellents of 2026. Topping the list is Ben's 30 Tick and Insect Repellent Wipes, followed by Ben's 30 Tick and Insect Repellent Pump Spray Wilderness Formula and Off Sportsmen Deep Woods Insect Repellent III. The report highlights the effectiveness of DEET, a chemical developed by the U.S. Army in 1946, as the active ingredient in these products. DEET is widely recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency for its ability to repel ticks and mosquitoes. CR conducted rigorous lab tests, simulating outdoor conditions, to evaluate the repellents' performance against mosquitoes, with confidence that similar results apply to ticks. Ben's 30 Wipes, containing 30% DEET, earned high marks for repelling both pests, though it showed average performance in terms of material damage, such as staining nail polish and car paint.

Dr. Seth Vogel Provides Guidance on Immediate Actions After a Tick Bite

Dr. Seth Vogel Provides Guidance on Immediate Actions After a Tick Bite

Dr. Seth Vogel from Allina Health has shared crucial advice on the immediate steps to take if bitten by a tick. As tick bites become a common summer concern, knowing how to respond promptly can prevent potential health complications. Dr. Vogel emphasizes the importance of removing the tick as soon as possible using fine-tipped tweezers, cleaning the bite area with antiseptic, and monitoring for symptoms of tick-borne diseases. This guidance is part of broader efforts to educate the public on managing tick bites effectively.

New York's Tick Season Expected to Be the Worst Yet in 2026

New York's Tick Season Expected to Be the Worst Yet in 2026

Experts are warning that New York's tick season in 2026 could be among the worst on record. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emergency room visits for tick bites are exceeding historical averages across most U.S. regions, with the Northeast experiencing the highest levels. During late April, approximately 114 out of every 100,000 ER visits nationwide were related to tick bites, marking the highest rate for this time of year since at least 2017. Factors contributing to this surge include a mild winter, which allowed more ticks to survive, and the 'acorn effect,' where increased acorn production boosts populations of tick-hosting wildlife such as deer and mice. New York has seen a significant rise in tick activity, with nearly 19,000 Lyme disease cases reported in 2024 alone. The state is also observing an increase in species like lone star ticks and dog ticks, alongside the prevalent deer ticks.