Tick Prevention Tips for Your Yard Amid Rising Tick-Borne Illnesses
Ticks and the diseases they carry, such as Lyme disease, are becoming more prevalent and spreading into new areas, according to Consumer Reports. These pests often hide in cool, shady areas, including tall grass and yard debris. To reduce tick populations in your yard, it is recommended to keep grass trimmed to a height of three inches, clear away leaves and brush, and create a three-foot barrier of dry wood chips or gravel if your property borders wooded areas. Additionally, discouraging animals like deer and mice, which can carry ticks, is essential. Measures such as installing high fences for deer and using bait boxes for mice can help. Consumer Reports also emphasizes the importance of personal protection when outdoors, advising the use of EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or picaridin. 
