Fleas and ticks might be tiny, but they can be a major source of frustration during the warmer months. It can really make being outside less enjoyable when you feel like there are unwanted pests lurking.
For that reason, you might be thinking about how you can prepare your yard for flea and tick season in Tennessee. You want to do whatever you can to start your season off on the right foot and avoid having your time outdoors ruined by these pests.
In this article, we’ll talk about some effective ways that you can keep fleas and ticks out of your yard. The more that you can focus on proactive, preventative action, the better off you’ll be.
That’s important. After all, you deserve to be able to enjoy your outdoors without constantly worrying about what pests might be in your yard.
You have good reason to be concerned about fleas and ticks in Memphis, TN. Not only can they cause annoying bites, but they can also carry and transfer dangerous diseases to you, your family, and your pets.
Ticks have been known to carry Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more. Fleas are more likely to impact your four-legged family members, however, they can also carry and transmit diseases to humans, too. If your pets pick up fleas in your yard and carry them inside, you could have an infestation inside of your home.
Let’s look at some ways to keep fleas and ticks out of your yard in the first place so that you can avoid future problems with these pests.
Tall grasses and brush around your home are the prime hangout locations for these pests. A great way to avoid attracting them to your yard in the first place is to trim back tall grasses and keep overgrowth in check.
Edge areas, like those that border the natural habitat (particularly in areas that border forests or meadows), can be especially problematic as these are often how pests make their way onto a property.
You want to be diligent in these border areas. That could also include wearing long sleeves and pants to avoid being bit.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends placing a three-foot-wide barrier of wood chips or gravel in between lawns and wooded areas if possible as this will restrict migration of ticks from the wild onto a residential property. You might also consider this type of barrier around a patio or playground on your property.
You can also keep fleas and ticks out of your yard by keeping the lawn mowed regularly. Just like these pests like to hide out in overgrowth in the landscaping, they also prefer taller grass in your lawn.
But if you keep up with regular mowing and keep the grass at an appropriate height, you’ll discourage these pests from attempting to hide there.
Another way that you can keep fleas and ticks out of your yard is by keeping rodents out of your yard, as well. That’s because rodents are often an initial food source for these pests. Rodents might be the ones to bring fleas and ticks into your yard in the first place.
The good news is that keeping the lawn mowed and landscaping trimmed up can definitely discourage rodents as well as fleas and ticks. Rodents like mice and rats are also frequently in search of places to comfortably hide on your property.
They’ll also be in search of food. That’s why you also want to make sure that you’re keeping trash in the appropriate bins (and keeping the lids on them). A dumped trash can could become an invitation to unwanted pests.
Not letting yard waste or leaves pile up can also discourage rodents from attempting to take shelter on your property. These pests might try to hide under the cover of fallen leaves.
Another prime hangout spot for rodents is your woodpile. For that reason, you also want to be sure to keep your woodpile neat and dry.
The previous three cultural practices are all focused on making your yard less appealing to pests like fleas and ticks. But you know that some of these highly motivated pests are still going to find their way there.
This is where flea and tick spray can make a big difference. Professional yard flea and tick spray will target pests that have made their way onto your property, despite your best efforts to keep them away.
At Master Lawn, we use targeted applications applied approximately 45 days apart between April and October, which is the prime flea and tick season in Tennessee. This comes out to six visits. Our program is customized to address the specific habitats where these pests are likely to be lurking.
By treating some of the exterior areas around your home, the goal is to keep fleas and ticks from ever having the opportunity to make their way inside. It will also give you the confidence to enjoy your yard again without worrying about these pests hanging around, looking for their next meal.
One thing that is important to mention is that professional flea and tick control is going to be a lot more effective than any DIY options out there. Since flea and tick control products are available at the hardware store, some homeowners ask about treating these pests on their own.
But store-bought products are going to be nowhere near as effective as those used by a professional. With pests as potentially dangerous as fleas and ticks it simply isn’t worth the risk.
At Master Lawn, we are using a professional-grade, highly effective product applied by trained and skilled technicians who know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to application rates, where to apply, and how often to treat. When it comes to something as serious as disease-carrying fleas and ticks, we find that most homeowners would prefer to know they have a professional product being applied properly.
While this article was focused on how to prepare your yard for flea and tick season, we also want to mention that you should be protecting your pets, as well. Even if you are following all of our cultural recommendations and having your property treated to control fleas and ticks in your yard, we would still advise following your veterinarian’s recommendations for your pets’ protection.
In other words, flea and tick control in the yard should not be looked at as a substitute for preventative flea and tick products that your vet recommends for your pets. After all, your yard is likely not the only place where your pets hang out. If you have a dog that you take on a trail or walk anywhere off of your property, then you know he or she is at risk of getting bit by a pest in other locations.
At the end of the day, you want to be able to take back control of your yard.
You shouldn’t have to worry about pests lurking on your property every time that you go outside—and with professional yard flea and tick spray you don’t have to. When performed by a pro, these treatments are an effective way to reduce the number of fleas and ticks on your property and help you to be able to enjoy your property more fully.
Ready to say goodbye to fleas and ticks at your Memphis, TN or Northern MS home? Talk to an expert, learn more about adding our flea and tick program to one of our 3 lawn care programs, and become the master of your lawn!
