With the advent of warmer weather come certain drawbacks. One of those would be ticks.

Tick exposure can occur throughout the year, but they are most active during the warmer months of April through September. No matter what region of the country you live in, it is always helpful to be familiar with the types of ticks most prevalent in your neck of the woods.

Many homeowners are interested in an organic tick control product that does not utilize dangerous chemicals and poses no threat to children, pets, and the surrounding natural habitat. Regardless of what tick control agent you choose, there are certain preventive measures that you can take as a homeowner to help reduce the tick population in your yard.

Remove Tall Vegetation and Natural Debris

It is always a good idea to remove especially tall weeds and brush growing in close proximity to the house or at the perimeter of the yard, thereby depriving ticks of the opportunity to hide there. Also, remove any leaves that remain in the yard from the previous fall and winter.

Keep the Lawn Mowed

The lawn should be mowed on a regular basis to keep the grass at a reasonable height to prevent ticks from roosting there. If you plan on being away for an extended trip in the summer, perhaps make arrangements with someone to mow the lawn once or twice.

Move Playground Equipment

If you have children and maintain playground equipment in your backyard, it should be moved away from the property lines where brush and trees tend to grow.

Stack Wood

If you keep firewood on your property, keep it neatly stacked and preferably not up against a tree line or brush growth. This discourages mice and other rodents who can carry ticks from moving in and living in the woodpile.

Implementing these remedial measures should help reduce the tick population in your yard, thereby making summer safer for your family and pets.