How do you reduce the number of ticks

[WhiteTara]

around your property?

[tjwash]

1. Throw your clocks away?

Sorry...do you have long grass that is pretty dry? Ticks just love long dry grass, and found that after I started keeping it whacked way down their numbers reduced.

You can also use tick-granules mixed with some ammonium nitrate fertilizer on the grass if you want to go the chemical route.

[bvar22]

2. Mowing helps a lot.

Ticks climb up weeds 6 - 8" high, and then wait for something to come walking by, and then jump off on their new home.
We keep the grass around the house and garden and usable areas mowed short.

Guinea Hens are know for their ability to clear out tick infestations.

We kept some for a while, but they can be noisy (very loud), and the males can be cranky. Ours didn't mix well with the chickens either. We weren't upset when they decided to leave.
There are people who live in our area that keep large flocks of free roaming Guineas specifically as a deterrent to ticks.

We take precautions when working or walking in the brush....boots, long jeans, and long sleeve shirts.
Immediately afterward, a hot, soapy shower or bath ASAP, and quarantine any clothing worn in the brush until it can be washed. We try to never re-wear clothing that has been in the brush. Ticks (and chiggers) can hide in this clothing, and bite the next day.

Hope this helps.

[MajorChode]

3. Put up a bluebird nesting box!

Ticks like to live in places where they can get out of the sun and find moisture. As previously mentioned, keeping your grass mowed closely and remove lawn debris like leaf and brush piles is one of the best things you can do. Make particularly sure you keep weeds and grass short around the perimeter of your property. Consider putting up some type of barrier like gravel or mulch.

While guineas and other type of domestic fowl will readily keep your ticks away, they are not for everyone. There are many varieties of wild birds that eat bugs. One of the easiest to attract is bluebirds. Bluebirds eat bugs almost exclusively, especially in the spring and summer. The time to put up a bluebird house is NOW in most areas. Make sure you get a nesting box specifically designed for bluebirds. The box should be made of very thick wood and most of them look something like this...



I have a nesting box I designed and built myself, but you can buy them. There are other types of birds that will make their home in your nesting box. Most common is the House Sparrow, which you will want to keep away. You will also want to put up a bird bath to attract other wild birds.

[bvar22]

4. Love the Blue Birds!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=140x1057

[MajorChode]

5. I got a pair this year

I checked my nesting box this weekend and I have a clutch of 5 little blue eggs. I'm looking forward to seeing the fledgelings at my bird bath.

[WhiteTara]

6. All of you have given me some really helpful info

Thanks!

I love the bluebird solution! I think the guineas will be cool also and I am using this to justify getting a riding lawnmower.

Thanks all