Does Mowing The Lawn Kill Ticks?
Ticks are easily the scariest arachnids besides spiders, and they can be quite harmful to humans and animals alike. The sight of a tick on your body is enough to make you think twice about going outside during spring and summer. Most homeowners would do anything to keep ticks off their property. So, does mowing the lawn kill ticks?
Mowing the lawn can kill ticks if your grass is tall and unkempt. Ticks like to sit atop tall blades of grass, weeds, and low, dense shrubs. You can keep ticks out of your yard if you mow your lawn at least once a week, dethatch your lawn, remove creeping vines, and spray the grass with a mixture of vinegar and water.
Start taking care of your lawn as soon as spring hits because that’s when ticks become active. Avoid spraying your lawn with heavy chemicals as it can kill your grass and harm animals and small children. Follow along as we explore how you can kill ticks by mowing the lawn and highlight what else you can do to get rid of ticks.
Do Ticks Live In All Grass?
Ticks typically prefer tall grass, but you can find them in short grass as well. You are most likely to find ticks in tall grass and dense shrubs on your property. Ticks gravitate towards grass in heavily wooded areas, but you may find them in open fields or large lawns.
Ticks often travel from trees and shrubs to the grass in your yard. They typically crawl to the top of blades of grass and wait to latch onto animals and people.
Does Cutting Grass Kill Ticks?
Cutting grass can kill ticks, especially if your grass is overgrown. A lawnmower’s blades can kill ticks that sit atop tall blades of grass. With that said, you can’t guarantee that mowing the lawn will kill all the ticks in your yard.
Ticks may migrate to lower blades of grass or sit atop the soil and survive. However, you can reduce the risk that ticks will return to your lawn if you mow it regularly. Make sure to mow your lawn at least once a week or as needed when the grass gets tall to keep ticks away.
Do Ticks Like Mulch?
Ticks don’t like mulch because the surface is too dry and rough for them. Mulch typically contains bark and wood chips that are unpleasant for them to crawl over. Some homeowners fortify their properties with mulch to discourage ticks from hanging around.
If you already have mulch, you can make it less appealing to ticks by adding extra bark and wood chips. There is still a chance they will make their way to the mulch if they latch onto an animal, however.
What Attracts Ticks To Your Yard?
Tall grass and trees on your property can attract ticks to your yard. Ticks also love thick shrubs that sit low to the ground. They typically like to hide somewhat elevated off the ground so they can latch onto animals that pass by.
Thick and tall weeds also attract ticks because they are great hiding spots for them. While it’s nice to have trees around your yard, they are likely to attract ticks. Make sure to wear a hat if you venture into the surrounding woods as ticks typically latch onto people’s heads.
Ticks will also gravitate to your lawn if you live in a humid climate. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to change your surrounding climate, but you can be proactive and take care of your yard during this time. Warmth and moisture attract ticks, so it’s best to mow your lawn and pull weeds as much as possible during spring and summer.
How To Get Rid Of Ticks On A Large Property
Keep your lawn as clean and clear as possible to keep ticks out of your yard. Rake leaves, pull weeds, and remove fallen branches from your lawn as they are likely to attract ticks. Start mowing your lawn as soon as the grass starts to grow in spring.
Try to mow your lawn and keep up with it before it gets too hot and humid. This will mitigate the risk that ticks reproduce and start a colony near your home. It also helps to dethatch your lawn during the spring, and that typically costs between $150 and $220.
While creeping plants look great in your yard, they can also attract ticks. Either trim your creeping plants and vines or remove them altogether to get rid of ticks. While this is a big commitment, you are unlikely to find ticks in your yard if you switch to artificial grass. Not only will this get rid of ticks, but it can save you thousands of dollars per year in lawn care.
Is Spraying Your Yard For Ticks Safe For Dogs?
Spraying your yard for ticks with traditional chemicals is not safe for dogs. Standard chemicals and pesticides can kill a dog because of their low body weight and how much time they spend in the grass. These chemicals are also unsafe for children, so you should only treat your lawn with pesticides if you don’t have kids or pets.
However, you can make a pet-safe tick-killing solution at home with household items like water and vinegar. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water. Thoroughly spray your tall grass, low shrubs, and trailing vines that hang low in your yard.
The water will neutralize the vinegar to mitigate any grass damage. You may need to repeat this process several times throughout spring and summer when ticks are most active.
Are Ticks Harmful To Humans?
Ticks are harmful to humans because they can carry diseases. Humans can contract Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever from ticks. They are also dangerous to pets and can transmit diseases to them as well.
Tick bites aren’t dangerous every time, but they can be dangerous if you don’t catch them soon. They slowly imbed themselves deeper into your skin. It’s much easier to remove a tick when it first enters your skin.
Some people accidentally pull the body out of their skin and leave the tick’s head embedded. That’s why it’s important to grip the tick tightly and pull it out so the head doesn’t stay in. Search your head and body for ticks after you spend time outdoors so you can catch them early. It also helps to search your dog’s body after they’ve been outside for a while if you find many ticks in your area.
Summing It Up
Mowing the lawn can kill ticks. Ticks are attracted to tall grass and messy lawns where they wait to latch onto humans and animals. Mow your lawn at least once per week in the spring and summer because that’s when ticks are the most active.
Dethatch your lawn, rake the leaves, and pull weeds regularly to discourage ticks from nesting in your yard. Avoid spraying your lawn with chemicals to get rid of ticks if you have pets or kids, as the chemicals can harm them. Instead, you should spray your grass and shrubs with a mixture of white vinegar and water ,as they are safe and won’t harm your lawn.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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