Ticks are more than just tiny nuisances here in New Jersey. In fact, with numbers on the rise, these little critters pose a significant risk to our health and are responsible for transmitting a wide variety of diseases.
Fun news, right?
On a more positive note, there are plenty of proactive steps you can take to drastically reduce their population around your home. The key lies in combining both lawn maintenance and pest control. Let’s explore how these two methods work together to create a tick-free environment.
Understanding Ticks: Habitats and Lifecycle
Before we can talk about effective treatments, let’s get a better understanding of ticks overall and their specific lifecycle:
- Spring: Nymphs are most active, making it a critical time for tick treatments.
- Summer: Both nymphs and adults are active, continuing the need for vigilant tick control.
- Fall: Adult ticks are on the prowl, seeking hosts to feed and mate. With the drop in temperature, people might assume ticks aren’t active. However, many ticks, especially the black-legged or deer ticks, remain active even when it’s cold. Fall treatments are essential to prevent these ticks from laying eggs that will hatch the following spring.
- Winter: In areas with mild winters, ticks can still pose a threat. However, in colder regions with snow cover, tick activity significantly decreases.
The biggest takeaway here? Most New Jersey homeowners assume that tick control is only important in the spring and summer months, but fall treatments are actually a key part of the strategy. Ticks are still active, and this is your window for stunting the SPRINGTIME population boom.
Ticks also thrive in unkempt brush and grass, including leaf litter. Piles of leaves, tall grass at the perimeter of your yard, overgrown bushes… All are havens, and that’s where routine lawn maintenance comes in.
The Role of Lawn Maintenance in Tick Control
Here are a few practical takeaways:
- Grass Length: Keeping your grass mowed to the appropriate height can make it less hospitable to ticks. Ticks prefer longer grasses where humidity is higher.
- Lawn Aeration: Regular aeration not only helps in making your lawn healthier but indirectly reduces areas where ticks can thrive.
- Regular Cleanup: Piles of leaves, tall weeds, and brush are tick havens. By cleaning up regularly, we eliminate these breeding grounds.
- Proper Watering: Overwatering creates a moist environment that ticks love. Consistent but moderate watering is the key to keeping ticks at bay.
A well-maintained lawn is a tick’s worst enemy, amplifying the effectiveness of your other tick prevention methods. Think of it as the perfect 1-2 punch, plus your yard looks amazing.
Have More Questions About Pest Control and Lawn Maintenance in New Jersey?
Contact us at Elements Lawn & Pest! We’re here to help, offering a full suite of mosquito and tick control services alongside our lawn care expertise.
