Hot summer months are prime time for scheduling nice quality time with friends and family. No summer break is complete without bringing out the barbecue in the evening and lighting a bonfire at least once. The only problem is that it’s difficult to avoid all those pestilent ticks and mosquitos that attempt to feed on you as you’re trying to enjoy your time.
These critters aren’t simply annoying. They’re often carriers of disease, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry and get rid of them as soon as possible.
Take a look at a few things you can do to limit your exposure to ticks and mosquitos.
Decorate Your Lawn Strategically
Although many people believe that ticks get onto them by falling from trees or leaves, that’s rarely the case. In most instances, they climb up grass blades or tree trunks just high enough to reach their targets easier. They crawl through the ground until they’ve found a good location, then hang around there.
The good news is that they tend to be pretty picky about the kind of ground they crawl over. They generally avoid materials like asphalt, gravel, wood chips, and dry ground as they irritate their feet.
So, if you want to prevent ticks from reaching you and entering your home as you’re spending time with your family in the backyard, decorate your lawn with these materials.
Plant the Right Vegetation That Naturally Repel Mosquitos and Ticks
While having an open lawn does look nice and clean, it’s always better to have a few well-placed plants around your yard. It’s more eco-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and could help you get rid of mosquitos, ticks, and other insects. You just have to know which plants to place, as some might attract insects!
Plants that can help you get rid of both ticks and mosquitos (and a variety of insects like fleas, spider mites, and leafhoppers) include:
- Lavender
- Basil
- Catnip
- Lemongrass
- Mint
- Garlic
- Chrysanthemums
As a bonus, you can use many of these plants and herbs for food and cocktails.
If you can keep any of these plants in your yard, you might want to consider using essential oils. Spraying yourself and your clothes with lavender or lemongrass essential oils can keep these pests away, but they can still be present in your yard.
Keep the Water Moving
Mosquitos breed in standing waters, and ticks rely on water to survive and avoid drying out during the hottest summer months. If you want to make your home less appealing to these insects, examine it to see whether there’s any water pooling around your yard, then try to dry it out.
In case you have ponds or birdbaths, you can get rid of any mosquitos and ticks by keeping the water moving.
Place a Few Bird Feeders Around Your Property
Birds are perhaps the best mosquito and tick control. Waterfowl like ducks and geese are usually the most effective, although keeping them around it’s the best solution for everyone. If you can’t take care of waterfowl, place a few bird feeders and bird houses to attract mosquito and tick predators like swallows, hummingbirds, cardinals, and robins.
Keep the Population of Mosquitos and Ticks Under Control
Even with all these steps, your yard might be just too appealing to ticks and mosquitos, so you might need to take things up a notch. Contact RidAway for professional pest control that’ll keep your home and yard safe and sound.
