In a traditional sense, tick prevention has always involved a series of checkpoints. Before you head outdoors, you apply repellents to ward off insects. Once you come back inside, you scan for any ticks on your body or ones that may have attached to clothes.
The scenario is similar for pets. You apply preventative products to ward off ticks, check for these pesky insects daily in fur and remove any ticks.
What these techniques fail to address is the state of your landscape. By creating a space where ticks feel unwelcome in the first place, you’ll never have to worry about sticky repellents, frequent checks or unpleasant removals.
DIY Ways to Keep Your Landscape Tick-Free
When it comes to establishing a tick-safe zone in your landscape, there are plenty of DIY steps that can help reduce populations. Here are some common recommendations:
- Since ticks love the shade of tall grass and piles of leaves, mow your lawn on a frequent basis and rake up leaf litter
- Because moist, wooded areas are inviting to ticks, stack wood neatly in an area that gets some sun so conditions remain dry
- Use wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to create a buffer zone that discourages ticks from crossing over (these materials can feel unpleasant on their feet)
While these tactics can keep your yard safer, there is one pitfall: they fail to create a fully effective barrier around the landscape. Ticks may power through the pain of wood chips and gravel, or simply find a gap in the barrier where they can squeeze through. From here, they may travel close to your home where they can find shade under covered areas or move indoors. In either scenario, these ticks can lay their eggs and quickly expand the population in your lawn.
The Better Choice: Tick Spray for Yards
What’s unique about tick spray for yards is that you have an effective control barrier that covers every entrance to your outdoor space. A surface insect control spray will put up a so-to-speak protective fence that never gives ticks a chance to step foot in your lawn.
Not only do these products deliver high-quality results, but there are also eco-friendly options available on the market. Fewer chemicals minimize risks to children and pets and avoid harming insects that a positive impact on your lawn health.
These are the types of products we use at Weed Pro. In the hands of trained professionals, our surface insect control sprays keep your lawn free of ticks (and fleas) while ensuring that it is healthy and safe for use. These sprays, which should be applied four times throughout the season, bind to the lawn so there are no concerns about rain washing the product away.
To learn more about how we can help protect your Ohio yard from ticks and fleas, contact your local provider.