Keep the grass cut, use wood chips, and place your playground in the sun.
Summer is all about fun, (or at least a bit of fun with a pandemic still on). With great weather and longer days pulling us outside there are things in addition to COVID-19 to be vigilant about, however. One of these is ticks.
There are various kinds of ticks and some of them are relatively harmless to humans. According to LymeDisease.org, there are about 900 different known types of ticks throughout the world. Thankfully, only a few transmit diseases to humans. Some of those diseases can be pretty damaging. One of those is Lyme disease. Lyme disease is an infection that can damage your heart, joints, and nervous system with lasting consequences if left untreated. It’s characterized by a fever, headache, fatigue, and a noticeable circular skin rash.
Lyme disease is transmitted to humans via the deer tick, also now known as the black-legged tick. The tricky thing is, its name is misleading. This tick doesn’t only live on deer. For a long time, you, like me, might have thought if you stayed on the beaten path in the forest and didn’t go deer hunting, you’d stay safe. Unfortunately, that’s not quite accurate thinking. Black-legged ticks can also live on rabbits, mice, chipmunks, raccoons, squirrels, lizards, and popular song birds. In fact, up to about 60 different species can act as their host.
But you don’t want to miss out on all the backyard summer fun in an effort to avoid Lyme disease. Thankfully, you don’t have to. Here’s a list of ways you can reduce the chance of having ticks near your home, and in turn, your chances of contracting infectious diseases like Lyme disease.
Related: Why People Are Being Hospitalized With COVID-19 After Vaccination
Keep the Grass Cut
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some basic tips for preventing ticks in your yard. One of them is consistently mowing the lawn. Ticks like to hang out in long grass and brush. By keeping your grass cut and brush away from your home, you can reduce their presence.
Lay Down Wood Chips
It is also suggested that you put a 3-foot barrier of wood chips or gravel between your grass and any wooded areas bordering your property. In addition, it is good to have wood chips around your patio and playground equipment. The CDC says this can reduce the chances that ticks will move from the wooded areas into your recreational home base.
Place Playground Equipment Strategically
Put your deck, patio, and playground fun areas in the sun. Keep these away from trees and the edges of your property.
Stack Wood Neatly
A messy wood pile provides the perfect place for mice and other animals to take up nesting. Keep your wood stacked neatly to avoid encouraging a home for tick hosts.
Get Tick Tubes
A final simple solution is to invest in some tick tubes. Companies like Thermacell sell these tubes that you can place around your property twice a year. The tubes are stuffed with cotton balls soaked in chemicals that will kill off ticks. The idea is that mice, who are hosts for ticks, will find the cotton, take it back to their nests, and inadvertently kill off the ticks they may be hosting. It’s not a solution that targets all potential hosts but it can help. The simple technology was developed at Harvard University School of Public Health, and some people swear by it.
Summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors and it’s good to be able to do so worry-free. Prevent your chances of becoming a tick target by following these simple steps. Have fun in the sun!
photo credit: KPixMining/Shutterstock.com
