Ticks are more than just outdoor pests; they are known carriers of diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Managing tick activity around your property can help reduce encounters with ticks and support a healthier outdoor environment. Explore available tick control solutions designed for residential and outdoor areas.

You can incorporate tick-repelling plants, such as garlic, mint, sage, rosemary, and marigolds, into your landscape as part of an overall tick management approach. Some animals, including domestic chickens, may consume ticks as part of their natural feeding behaviors. Another important part of backyard tick management is reducing conditions that attract common tick hosts, such as deer and mice. Birds and other wildlife may also contribute to tick activity in outdoor areas.

Unlike traps, poisons, or catch-and-release methods, preventing wildlife from accessing certain areas can be part of an overall tick management strategy. Reducing activity from common tick hosts around your property may help lower opportunities for ticks to be introduced into residential or commercial spaces. Discouraging wildlife activity can help address one of the factors that may contribute to tick presence in outdoor areas.

The Yard Gard, Solar Yard Gard, and Deer Gard are designed to help manage activity from select pest animals that may serve as tick hosts. These electronic deterrent devices use ultrasonic frequencies that are generally outside the range of human hearing and are intended for use in areas where unwanted animal activity is a concern. Target animals may include deer, rodents, squirrels, bats, feral cats, dogs, opossums, skunks, raccoons, and other pest animals that may carry ticks.

Keeping tick activity managed is an important part of maintaining a comfortable outdoor environment. Deer ticks, also known as blacklegged ticks, are associated with the transmission of Lyme disease. Because tick bites may go unnoticed, taking steps to reduce tick exposure around your property can be an important part of an overall tick management approach.

Ticks are commonly associated with a variety of wildlife hosts, including mice, rats, bats, squirrels, deer, and migratory birds. Because these hosts are found in many regions around the world, ticks can be present in a wide range of environments. Lyme disease has been reported in over 80 countries, including every state in the U.S., as well as regions across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, India, and Australia.

Over 14,000 cases of Lyme Disease are reported annually in the United States alone. Scientists estimate this number is much higher, with only about 1 in 10 being reported, since the infection is so frequently misdiagnosed as the flu.

Ticks are most commonly found in wooded and grassy areas including lawns, fields, and trees, but because they travel from animal to animal, may be found anywhere. Be aware when walking your dog, venturing into the woods, or walking under branches. Be especially careful to check through hair and skin for ticks.

In addition to host pest prevention listed on this site, the Lyme Disease Association offers additional tips to minimize exposure to ticks at home. In the U.S., The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also offers helpful information on different species of ticks and their general locations.