Tickborne diseases are on the rise and now is when ticks are most active. Since they can transmit a variety of diseases and infections, keeping ticks at bay is a smart idea. Consumer Reports’ experts reveal chemical-free ways to limit the number of ticks crawling through your backyard.
This pest management company sprays a cedar oil treatment that could help keep ticks at bay.
Consumer Reports says studies show certain types of cedar oil treatments have been proven effective against ticks.
You can also cut down on ticks by taking some chemical-free steps in your yard.
First, trim tall grass and weeds and keep the lawn short.
Next, get rid of leaf piles with a leaf blower or rake. And pay attention to the trees on your property.
Consumer Reports Home Editor Paul Hope advises, “ticks really love the shade so if you have trees with low hanging branches it’s not a bad idea to clip them off about 18 inches from the ground.”
Another trick which may sound odd - make a mulch moat. This can be really effective.
Hope says, “ticks really prefer densely wooded areas over open grass so running a border of mulch around your property creates one more physical barrier for them.”
Consumer Reports says sure to use the wood chips or bark and not the shredded mulch which ends up creating the kind of damp areas they like.
