Landscaping and Gardening.info

Who doesn’t love trees in their landscaping? Although woods are lovely and we all like, or would like, to have our lots back right up to them, there is a problem we must be aware of. With the prevalance of diseases that deer ticks provide, we certainly don’t want this denizen of the woods in our home landscaping. Ticks can be found in the grassy areas near woods and that could be your lawn, or a park, if you have that wonderful lot that backs up to the woods. Some landscaping suggestions to reduce the
ticks around your home in such a situation are:

• Keep grass cut short. Ticks are susceptible to dehydration. A well-mowed lawn will dry out more quickly.
• Remove leaf litter and brush from around your homethat can act as a moist environment in which ticks can thrive.
• Keep woodpiles in a dry, sunny area and preferably off the ground.
• Keep the ground under bird feeders clean so as not to attract small animals, which may carry ticks.
• Create a three-foot barrier of wood chips between your lawn and bushy vegetation or surrounding wooded areas. This barrier can help prevent ticks from entering your lawn. It can also be a physical reminder that you’re entering an area that may have many ticks.
• Place patio furniture, swing sets and other outdoor items away from the wooded sections of your property.

Keep these tips in mind when landscaping your home and keep the number of ticks down.