Signs of summer are everywhere, and spending time outdoors is not only a priority but a tradition for many New Jersey families. Enjoying the outdoors means a close encounter with all that Mother Nature has to offer, from songbirds to butterflies and unfortunately, a few uninvited disease-carrying pests. Fear not, fellow Jerseyans, we have some simple landscaping techniques and tips on how to reduce ticks in your yard.
More folks from New Jersey were diagnosed with Lyme disease last year than in nearly the past two decades. And it’s not just Lyme disease we have to worry about. Ticks carry numerous other diseases as well.
Don’t get ticked off – here’s how to eliminate ticks from your yard this summer.
What Attracts Ticks To Your Yard?
Consider this chain of events that will bring ticks to your yard.
- You plant gorgeous flowers and shrubs to welcome the new season
- Bambi and his tick infested buddies say thank you by tromping across your property enjoying all the deliciousness those flowers in your garden have to offer
- Boom, just like that, the ticks have found a new home in your backyard sanctuary
It’s no secret that wildlife host and transfer ticks wherever they roam. Rewind this sequence by avoiding adding plants that attract deer and rabbits, eliminating the potential for hitchhiking on the backs, ears, and bellies of the wildlife that visit your property.
Be sure to locate and secure weak places in your property fence line to keep unwanted animals out. Finally, eliminate bird feeders and secure garbage cans to keep enterprising wildlife from setting up house on your property once and for all.
Stick to A Landscaping Schedule
Regular yard maintenance including mowing, weeding, and pruning means a significant reduction in unintended hideouts for ticks to gather and cling.
While you’re out there eliminating potential tick habitats, consider laying down a three-foot wide wood chip or rock barrier between your lawn and any wooded area to make life much more difficult for migrating ticks.
Bottom line: commit to a regular landscape maintenance schedule and stick to it to deter ticks.
Water Wisely
Overwatering is an open invitation to a tick infestation. Establish a routine that allows your yard to dry thoroughly between watering. Determine if you have any drainage problems or standing water and make the necessary adjustments to eliminate these areas entirely.
A tick-free landscape is possible in New Jersey. So, get out there and enjoy the great outdoors, the summertime clock is, well… ticking!
Get Rid of Ticks in NJ
When you need the assistance of a landscaping professional in New Jersey and New York City, contact Sponzilli Landscape Group. We have been instrumental in reflecting the individuality of our clients for more than 40 years and have proven tick control methods that can help your landscape!
