If you’ve ever found a tick crawling on your kid or your pet—or worse yet, attached— you know how upsetting (and totally disgusting) it is. “Ticks are blood feeders which can vector, or transmit, a variety of diseases to you and your pets,” says Eric Benson, PhD, professor emeritus and extension entomologist with Clemson University. “Most people have heard of Lyme disease, but different species of ticks can transmit many other serious diseases.”
While not every tick is infected with something scary, many do carry one or more diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and Powassan, which can lead to neurologic complications or death. “The goal is to prevent tick bites,” says Alvaro Toledo, PhD, associate professor, department of entomology at Rutgers University. That starts with steps to prevent ticks in your yard.
Understanding basic tick behavior helps you outsmart them. “Ticks don’t jump or fly. They quest, or crawl up onto shrubs and blades of grass, raising their arms to grab onto a host,” says Benson. Once they find a victim, which they can sense through odors, heat, vibrations and shadows, they climb onto you and wander around to find a place to embed into your or your pet’s skin.
Ahead, learn the best way to keep ticks out of your yard and protect your family from these blood suckers.
Where ticks hide
Ticks are more closely related to spiders than other insects. These tiny parasites can be found anywhere from suburban backyards to city parks. They prefer brushy areas but can be found in grassy areas, too, depending on the species. They don’t drop out of trees; the types that bite people and pets typically are found on low vegetation that’s below knee-height, says Toledo.
The source of ticks in your yard is wildlife. “Don’t assume that because you live in a suburban or even a city setting that you don’t have any. It’s amazing what lives or comes through your yard and you may not even know it,” says Benson. Visitors may include rabbits, deer, raccoons, opossums, foxes, squirrels, chipmunks, and mice— all of which can carry ticks that drop off and wait for the next host to pass by.
Typically, there are hotspots where tick numbers are higher than other places in your yard. This may be where wildlife has been resting, or where a female tick has deposited her eggs, so they’ll be concentrated in a certain area, says Benson.
What kind of ticks are found in our yards?
Not all types of ticks are interested in biting us. One of the most common species that frequently bites people is the blacklegged tick, or deer tick. “It’s the most problematic because it is the only tick that transmits Lyme. But it also can vector anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus,” says Toledo. “This virus lives in the tick’s salivary glands, so it’s transmitted almost immediately within the first 10 or 15 minutes of feeding, while other diseases typically are transmitted by 24 hours of feeding.”
Another tick that bites people often is the lone star tick. “It’s the tick that’s most active about finding a host. It transmits ehrlichiosis, and it’s the main tick responsible for alpha gal syndrome,” says Toledo. “This tick is expanding its range so more people are being exposed to it, and it’s the one that’s most likely to be in your backyard because it tolerates desiccation, or drying out, more than other species.” Alpha gal syndrome causes an allergic reaction to certain meats, and sometimes dairy products or gelatins, that come from mammals.
American dog tick is another common species that bites people (and, of course, pets). If infected, it transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be deadly if not treated early, says Toledo.
How to keep ticks out of your yard
Keeping ticks away from your family requires a multi-pronged approach, says Benson. While it’s impossible to eliminate all ticks from your yard, you can reduce the risks to your family by following these tips.
Mow your grass
Ticks generally prefer to hang out in moist, shaded areas, such as leaf litter, tall grass, and ground covers. Keep your grass short, and minimize tall vegetation near your home, especially dense ground cover plants, such as English ivy or pachysandra, which provide the ideal environment for both ticks and mosquitoes, says Benson.
Remove brush and stacked piles of wood, especially up against the house
These are perfect places for rodents to shelter, and rodents are one of the main carriers of ticks. This is one (of many) reasons to keep rodents away from your house, says Toledo.
Don’t leave food sources out
Place bird feeders farther out and not up close to your house because spilled seed attracts rodents. The goal is not to encourage wildlife in close quarters. Also, don’t leave out pet food bowls, which attract all kinds of other mammals that might be carrying ticks, says Benson.
Discourage deer from your property
This one is easier said than done, but you can choose plantings that are less appealing to deer to encourage them to go elsewhere to feed, says Toledo. You can find plants that deer are less fond of here.
Be thoughtful about where you place a playground or picnic area
For example, don’t situate it right next to the edge of your property close to the forest’s edge. You also can cut overhanging branches near these areas so there’s less shade provided for ticks, says Toledo.
Consider targeted spraying
As a last resort, you may need to have key areas of your yard treated for ticks. “Don’t blanket spray your entire yard, which harms beneficial insects, such as pollinators,” says Benson. But if you have an area of concern you can’t trim or mow and you and your pets spend time there, hire a licensed pest control professional who knows that the entire yard shouldn’t be sprayed, only areas where wildlife may travel or rest.
Don’t panic if you do get a tick
If you do find a tick attached, use tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible, then pull up vertically with steady pressure. Don’t pull sideways, or you risk the tick’s head breaking off, which can lead to a localized infection. Wash the area with soap and water, and always call your doctor if you have any concerns.
And, yes, it’s disturbing, but it’s not a reason to avoid spending time outdoors. “Ticks can be anywhere, but you don’t have to be fearful, just mindful,” says Toledo.
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
