Ticks are small parasites known primarily for biting and attaching to people and pets that pass through their forested homes. Ticks can carry disease, most notably Lyme disease, and as such should be treated carefully and avoided wherever possible. Awareness of the potential for ticks, most commonly found in underbrush, is key to avoiding them. Checking clothing and pets for ticks after spending time in the habitats where they are common will help to avoid allowing the tick to become established.
Discouraging ticks in your yard can include several steps. Firstly, removing the kinds of underbrush and leaves that they like. Maintaining the trees to allow sunlight to reach the ground as much as possible will help discourage ticks, as they dislike sunlight. Finally, checking pets and keeping pets out of heavy underbrush helps prevent ticks from reaching the house in their fur.
