Ticks are, in a nutshell, a whole lot of trouble. According to the CDC seven new tickborne germs that can cause illness have been identified in the United States in the past two decades. The numerous types of ticks that are present in New Jersey—including Deer Ticks, Dog Ticks and more recently Lone Star Ticks—can carry the devastating Lyme Disease (Deer) and Alpha-Gal Syndrome and STARI (Lone Star). In addition, ticks can transmit diseases to and literally suck the life blood out of pets and wildlife. With winters steadily becoming warmer, fewer ticks are dying off from year to year. This leads to more ticks reproducing each year, leading to a tick population explosion.
Redeeming qualities? None to speak of, except that they do provide a food source for certain wildlife such as opossums. At best ticks are a nuisance and at worst, a danger to your family’s health lurking in tall grass, planting beds and wooded areas on your property.
Landscaping methods - tick prevention for your yard
The Centers for Disease Control has landscaping suggestions for lessening the threat of ticks in your own yard. Some of the CDC’s suggestions include:
Keep your grass short: Clear away tall grass and brush from around your home and property.
Clean up: Mow and rake lawns frequently.
Create a tick barrier for common areas: Use a 3 ft. barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas and around patios and play areas.
Use shrubbery as repellent: Plant deer-resistant varieties such as Russian sage, catmint, shrub roses, juniper, snapdragons and marigolds so deer are less inclined to visit your property.
Leave no area in your yard unturned: Limit places where mice (and ticks that feed on them) can nest. Keep wood piles neatly stacked or under cover and remove trash and clutter from the yard.
Tick spraying - organic tick control vs. chemical tick control
In addition to the above, you can take an extra precaution for tick control in the form of tick spraying on your lawn and property. You have two options here: Chemical tick control and organic tick control.
Chemical Tick Control Explained
There are numerous chemical treatments for the control of ticks. The class of chemicals that kills ticks (as well as mites) is called the acaricides and includes the popular spray permethrin. Tick spraying using permethrin is common, and safest for pets and humans when it is allowed to dry for several hours before walking on your lawn. Also, if your pets are prone to eating grass, we don't recommend this method.
How long does one application last? About 6 weeks
How much does chemical tick control cost?: $70-$120 per application
Organic Tick Control Explained
If you are concerned about the chemicals mentioned above, organic tick spraying is your best bet. Organic tick control can include essential oils such as cedar wood oil, eucalyptus oil peppermint oil, and others that kill or deter ticks. This method is safest for your family, pets, and ecosystem.
How long does one application last? About 4-5 weeks
How much does organic tick spraying cost?: $100-$150 per application
