Ticks are most likely to be in woods, where woods meet lawn, where lawn meets fields, tall brush/grass, under leaves, under ground cover (low growing vegetation), near stone walls or wood piles, shady areas, around bird feeders, outside pet areas.
What you can do to lower your/your pet's exposure to ticks on your property:
• Keep your lawn mowed (ticks hide in tall grass)
• Rake up leave and grass clippings (ticks hide under leaves/grass clippings)
• Keep ground cover trimmed away from walkways (ticks are close to pathways)
• Place stone walls/woodpiles as far as possible from house (rodents live there & carry ticks)
• Place a wood chip barrier between your property and wooded/field areas (ticks may not cross)
• Place swing sets and other play sets in the sunny areas, away from woods/fields (ticks hate sun)
• Keep bird feeders away from your house (rodents seek dropped bird food & carry ticks)
• Consider controls for small mammals e.g., mice (they carry ticks which get Lyme from them)
• Consider deer fencing in areas where deer populations are high (deer transport ticks)
• Keep outside pet areas cleared of leaf and other debris.(dogs can carry loose ticks inside)
More detailed information on property management can be found in these 2 publications. LDA does not endorse any products or particular practices but provides links for informational purposes.
http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/bulletins/b1010.pdf
http://twp.freehold.nj.us/ticks/public/publications/images_publications/freehold_tick_manual.p
©Lyme Disease Association, Inc. 2012
PO Box 1438 Jackson, NJ 08527
www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org
888-366-6611 (Toll free info line)
732 938 7215 (Fax)
