Tick season in Nashville runs from March to November, but peak activity for species such as Lone Star and American dog ticks takes place during spring and summer. Dog ticks can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis, while Lone Star ticks can transmit ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and bourbon virus. Blacklegged ticks or deer ticks are also common in this area.

It’s best to prevent ticks from biting you in the first place, and that starts with good landscaping practices.

Maintaining a Tick-Free Yard

Most ticks prefer shady, moist environments such as in tall grass, underbrush, or leaf litter. There, they will lie in wait for their next meal to cross their path. They like the shade because they cannot tolerate heat well.

Line your yard with a five-foot wide perimeter of gravel, mulch, or wood chips. This will essentially create a barrier between your home and the wooded tick habitat around it. It also serves as a visual reminder to friends, family and guests who cross the perimeter to check for ticks after doing so.

You can also add plants that discourage ticks on your property, such as:

Annuals

• Alyssum
• Verbena
• Marigold
• Nasturtium
• Sage
• Spiderflower
• Pansy

Perennials

• Daffodil
• Snowdrops
• Hyacinth
• Iris
• Beebalm
• Columbine
• Bleeding Heart
• Foxglove
• Silvermound
• Lily of the Valley
• Poppy
• Yarrow

Shrubs and Vines

• Wisteria
• Andromeda
• Bush
• Boxwood
• Butterfly
• Weigela
• Leucothoe

More Landscaping Tips

Good landscape management will not only reduce the tick-friendly habitat near your home but will also reduce the amount of mice, deer, and other wildlife that may bring ticks closer to your home.

• Cut your grass short (about two inches).
• Mow your lawn frequently.
• Prune plants, bushes, and shrubs to allow more sunlight and to prevent them from overflowing onto walkways where pets and kids can brush against them.
• Remove underbrush and leaf litter around transition areas, including stone walls and sheds.
• Store woodpiles away from the home and off the ground, and make sure they are located in sunny areas rather than shady ones.
• Position bird feeders away from your home. Provide feed only from the months of November to March.
• Move swing sets, picnic tables, and hammocks away from the woods.
• Remove leaf debris and make sure your garden beds are clean and dry.
• Keep pets out of the woods.
• Grow plants with strong odors such as lavender and lemon balm.
• Wear long pants and sleeves when working or playing in grass or woods.
• Always check yourself, your kids, and your pets for ticks after spending any amount of time in tick habitats.
• Because ticks need between 24 and 48 hours of feeding before they can transmit infections, prompt removal is important.

Contact PureGuard Pest Solutions

If you have spotted an infestation of ticks in your yard, call our trained tick exterminators in Nashville for a free quote and consultation at 615-502-2855.