What should be done about ticks in the garden? - briefly
Maintain a tidy garden by regularly mowing grass, trimming vegetation, and clearing leaf litter, then treat the area with a pet‑safe acaricide or natural repellents such as cedar oil. Install a wood‑chip or gravel border around beds and inspect pets and children after outdoor activity.
What should be done about ticks in the garden? - in detail
Ticks thrive in moist, shaded vegetation. Reducing suitable habitat is the first line of defense. Keep grass trimmed to a maximum height of 5 cm, remove leaf litter, and eliminate tall weeds and brush piles. Replace dense ground cover with low‑growth plants that receive full sunlight, such as ornamental grasses or drought‑tolerant groundcovers.
Create a physical barrier between lawn and wooded areas. Install a strip of wood chips, gravel, or crushed stone at least 1 m wide to discourage ticks from migrating into the garden. Ensure the barrier is regularly maintained and free of debris that could shelter insects.
Apply targeted acaricides when necessary. Choose products registered for tick control, follow label instructions precisely, and treat only the perimeter and high‑risk zones. Spot‑treating leaf litter and shaded borders minimizes chemical use while maintaining effectiveness.
Introduce natural predators. Encourage populations of ground beetles, spiders, and certain bird species by providing nesting boxes and diverse plantings. Nematodes (e.g., Steinernema spp.) applied to soil can reduce tick larvae and nymphs without harming non‑target organisms.
Protect humans and pets during garden activities. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed shoes; tuck pant legs into socks. After exposure, conduct a thorough body check, focusing on scalp, behind ears, and groin. Use tick‑removal tools to extract attached specimens promptly, grasping the mouthparts close to the skin and pulling steadily upward.
Maintain regular monitoring. Inspect vegetation weekly during peak tick season (spring through early autumn). Record tick presence and density to assess the effectiveness of control measures and adjust strategies accordingly.
By integrating habitat modification, barrier installation, judicious chemical application, biological agents, personal protection, and systematic monitoring, the garden can be rendered inhospitable to ticks while preserving ecological balance.