Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
It's one of those facts of life when living in the rural south that no one really likes to talk about. We have an abundance of ticks, especially during this time of year. They not only pose a threat to our pets, a tick bite can expose people to a number of diseases, such as lyme disease. There are ways you can help protect your family and get rid of these nasty little blood-suckers. Here are some helpful hints from the folks at www.tomsguide.com:
• Be sure your lawn is cut short. Ticks love to hide in tall grass and wait for a potential victim to walk by. By keeping your grass cut short, usually two and a half to three inches, according to some experts, you can deny ticks one of their hiding places. However, they say you shouldn't cut more than a third of the grass length at any given time. You should also rake up and remove any dead leaves and grass clippings. Prune any overgrown bushes and trees as well. This will help take away the ticks' hiding places, and it will discourage rodents and others who might transport ticks.
• Create a hostile barrier. Ticks are usually found within a three or four foot perimeter around your yard. By placing a layer of wood chips or gravel along this perimeter, you can put a barrier between you and the ticks. The ticks do not like crossing paths lined with wood chips or gravel because it hurts their feet. Plus, it can make a nice-looking feature to your yard.
• If you have a wood pile for the fireplace, stack it in a dry, sunny area. This will allow the wood to dry, not only making it burn easier, but it makes it less attractive to ticks and rodents. Ticks would rather stay in moist, wooded areas, while avoiding sunny, dry places.
• Make an eco-friendly tick repellent. If you want to get rid of ticks, but don't want to use harsh chemicals that could be a hazard to you, your children or your pets, there are a number of natural remedies. A cedar oil spray or neem oil are proven to kill or repel ticks by causing suffocation, dehydration, starvation and the disruption of pheromones. To mix cedar oil, mix one or two teaspoons of cedar wood essential oil to one cup of water in a spray bottle. Then spray the mixture directly on any shaded areas or the perimeter of your yard where ticks might be hiding. To mix a neem oil repellent, mix two teaspoons of neem oil with four cups of water in a spray bottle and spray on areas that may be harboring ticks. Other natural repellents include garlic oil and peppermint oil. These can be effective because ticks dislike the strong smells and could cause them to run in the other direction.
• Try using diatomaceous earth. This is a white powder which is naturally occurring and made from fossilized remains of little aquatic organisms called diatoms. This powder is effective in killing ticks and other pests by destroying the waxy outer layer of their exoskeletons, causing them to dry out and instantly die. To apply, simply sprinkle the powder around your yard, making a line approximately one to two inches thick. This will kill or repel any ticks that may try to pass through. This will also help protect your lawn and plants as well. The powder can be found at most lawn and garden centers.
Now is the time of year when ticks are most active. Their activity increases as the summer months get warmer, just about the time when many people are also enjoying the outdoors.