Do you spend a lot of time outdoors? Do you worry about ticks? We know the summers are fun to get out and about, and in North Carolina, hiking and spending time in nature is at the top of all of our lists. Something that we all think about when out and exploring are… ticks! We make sure to check ourselves, our pets, and our children after our adventures, but do we consider that ticks are also in our own neighborhoods and backyards, and not limited to wooded areas?
The first line of defense for humans — homeowners and PMPs — is to prevent tick bites with appropriate personal protection. Ticks do not fall from trees. Instead, you can pick up a tick from tall grasses and bushes, as well as in natural areas.
Here are our top tick management approaches to keep you, your family, and your furry friends safe:
– Avoid tick habitats, and avoid creating a tick habitat in your own backyard… mowing and removing leaf debris is a great way of clearing areas that ticks like to live.
– Tuck pant legs into socks when you are outside if you are worried about picking up “friends” when you’re out playing or exploring the woods.
– Apply skin repellents (percent concentrations). DEET (25-30 percent), Picaridin (20 percent), Oil of lemon/eucalyptus (30 percent), and Permethrin-based clothing tick repellents (0.5 percent) are all effective repellents.
– Tick checks and bathing are extremely important in preventing disease, particularly after being in potentially tick-infested “tick zones.”
Worried about your yard? We can help. Our mosquito treatment not only treats for the mosquitos that drive us crazy, but also takes care of ticks and fleas that reside in your yard. Give us a call to learn about how we can help you and your family enjoy your yard again!
