As the South Central Pennsylvania snow melts, many of us are enjoying the thaw and counting down the days to spring and summer. However, as temperatures warm, homeowners in Gettysburg and York, PA, should familiarize themselves with various pests that return this time of year, including ticks.
Should you worry about ticks?
Ticks are external parasites that attach themselves to animals or humans and sucks blood to sustain life. When they “bite” an animal, they can also transmit diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The most common types of ticks in Pennsylvania are deer and dog ticks.
Ticks are small but mighty pests that carry disease and are a danger to your family, home, and pets. Even worse, they are challenging to get rid of once they take home in your backyard or house.
How to prevent ticks
Preventing ticks starts with knowing where they like to live. Ticks build homes in brush, wooded areas, and overgrown land. To prevent ticks from taking over your property, make sure you do the following.
Cut your grass regularly. Ticks love cold and wet lawns that keep them shaded. By mowing the lawn consistently, ticks are less likely to make a home in your backyard.
Create boundaries. Line your yard with gravel or mulch, which stay warm in the summertime and keep ticks from crossing to your lawn.
Keep the yard clean. Debris, trash, and excessive toys in your yard can create the perfect home for ticks. Put toys and equipment away after use and keep the yard free of debris piles to keep ticks away.
Trim trees and bushes. Overgrown bushes and trees are another area ticks are attracted to live. Keeping them trimmed and allowing sunlight to penetrate through branches is beneficial.
Grow the right plants. Plants with strong odors help deter ticks. Consider planting lavender, sage, or beautyberry in your backyard this year.
How do you kill ticks?
Even though they are small, ticks are not an insect that you can squash with your shoe to get rid of as their bodies are too hard. If you spot one, pick it up with a paper towel and drop in the toilet to flush it away.
There are likely many more ticks in your backyard just waiting for a chance to get inside. It is best to contact a professional pest control company like H.T. Treadway to treat your lawn and exterminate ticks.
For additional information on tick extermination or to learn about our tick extermination service, contact us today.
