Natural Ways to Help Reduce Ticks in Your Yard

Ticks prefer moist, shaded areas with tall grass, brush and leaf litter. Keeping your property clean, open, sunny and well maintained can help create an environment that is much less favourable for ticks.

Keep your grass cut short.
    Mow regularly, paying particular attention to areas where your dogs play, exercise and relax.
Remove leaves and yard debris.
    Regularly rake leaves and remove dead vegetation, weeds and brush. Pay special attention to fence lines, underneath shrubs and the edges of wooded areas.
Let the sunshine in.
    Trim overgrown shrubs and lower tree branches to increase sunlight and airflow. Ticks prefer cool, humid environments, so creating warmer, drier areas can make your yard less hospitable to them.
Create a barrier around wooded areas.
    Consider a 3-foot (approximately 1-metre) wide strip of gravel, mulch or wood chips between maintained lawn and wooded, brushy or heavily vegetated areas.
Keep wood piles neat and dry.
    Stack firewood neatly in a sunny, dry location and, when possible, keep it away from your dog’s main play areas.
Discourage mice, rodents and deer.
    Wildlife can carry ticks onto your property. Clean up spilled birdseed and outdoor food, control areas where rodents can nest and consider measures to discourage deer from entering frequently used portions of your yard.
Use diatomaceous earth as an additional measure.
    Diatomaceous earth works well in combination with the other efforts listed above as part of a comprehensive yard-maintenance approach. If using DE for pest control, choose an appropriate product and follow its directions carefully. Apply during dry conditions and avoid creating airborne dust. Keep dogs and puppies away while it is being spread.
Keep dog areas open and sunny.
    Whenever possible, locate dog runs, puppy play areas and outdoor resting areas away from dense shrubs, tall grasses and wooded edges.
Maintain walking trails.
    Keep trails and pathways mowed and wide. Trim vegetation so dogs and people aren’t continually brushing against tall grass and plants.
Check your dogs every day.
    Even a well-maintained property can have ticks. After outdoor activity, run your hands over your dog’s entire body and pay particular attention to the ears, head, neck, under the collar, armpits, groin, legs and between the toes.

🌿 The Lakewood Approach

We believe in being proactive. Reduce the habitat ticks love, maintain a clean and healthy outdoor environment, combine several preventative measures, and regularly check your dogs.

No single method can guarantee a completely tick-free yard, but combining these practices can help reduce tick exposure for both your family and your dogs.

Lakewood Ranch Doodles
Partnering with you for successful dog ownership.