Tick Prevention Tips for Your Backyard as Illnesses Rise
Ticks and the diseases they carry are becoming an increasing concern, not just in wooded areas but also in residential backyards. According to Consumer Reports, ticks thrive in cool, damp, and shaded environments, often hiding in tall grass, leaf piles, and yard debris. To reduce the risk of ticks in your yard, experts recommend keeping grass trimmed to about 3 inches, clearing away brush and leaves, 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, is advised. Measures such as installing tall fences to keep deer out and using bait boxes to control ticks on mice can help mitigate the problem. These steps are particularly important as tick-borne illnesses continue to spread. 
