Tips for Tick-Proofing Your Yard and Staying Safe Outdoors
Consumer Reports has provided guidance on reducing tick populations in residential yards, as ticks and the diseases they carry have been spreading in recent years. Ticks thrive in cool, shady areas, particularly in tall grass and damp spots. To make your yard less inviting to ticks, experts recommend keeping grass trimmed to about 3 inches, clearing away piles of leaves and brush, and creating a three-foot barrier of dry wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas. Additionally, discouraging animals like deer and mice, which can carry ticks, may help reduce their presence. This can be achieved by installing tall fences or using bait boxes designed to kill ticks on mice without harming the animals. 
