If You Choose Not To Spray…You Can Reduce Your Risk by

Making the Following Changes in Your Yard…

University of Michigan

http://www.maxforcetms.com

Ticks thrive in shady moist areas

Make Your Lawn Less Appealing to Ticks

• Keep grass mowed• Remove leaf litter• Remove brush at the

edge of the lawn• Move woodpiles

away from the house• Move birdfeeders

away from the houseS. Perlotto

• A three-foot wide woodchip (Nugget) barrier helps to reduce the number of ticks on your lawn

• The barrier also reminds people who cross it that they are entering a high risk area

http://www.caes.state.ct.us

Place a woodchip or gravel barrier around your lawn’s edge

Nugget barrier

GROUNDCOVER

• Ticks love to hide in shady moist places!

• Avoid the use of ivy, myrtle or pachysandra near entryways or outdoor faucets.

CAES

PLANTINGS

Use deer resistant plants such as daffodils instead of tulips.

S. Perlotto

Relocate Picnic Tables and Swing Sets

• Move picnic tables and swing sets away from the woodland edge, and into direct sunlight.

• Surround these areas with a woodchip barrier.

CAES

• Stay away from the transition area between the lawn and the brush or woodland edge.

• Stay on dry lawns rather than wet lawns.

• Stay in areas that have low cut grass.

• Avoid fields with tall grass.

• Walk on wide paths - don’t take “short-cuts”!

STAY AWAY FROM TICKS !

Want to learn more?• Check out these websites:

– www.cdc.gov– www.aldf.com– www.tahd.org– www.ct.gov/caes– www.ct.gov/dph