JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tick-borne diseases are on the rise and now is when ticks are most active. Since they can transmit a variety of diseases and infections. A lab at Cornell University has identified 26 species of ticks along the East Coast alone -- far more than the deer ticks most of us associate with Lyme disease.
One way to help protect your family is to start in your yard, and Consumer Reports’ experts have just revealed chemical-free ways to limit them there.
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Cedar oil
A pest management company can spray a cedar oil treatment that could help keep ticks at bay.
“It’s a low-risk product, it’s an all-natural product and it’s a pesticide-free application,” explained James McHale.
Consumer Reports says studies show certain types of cedar oil treatments have been proven effective against ticks.
Grass
Consumer Reports experts say when it comes to taking care of your yard yourself, trim tall grass and weeds and keep the lawn short.
Ordinarily, Consumer Reports advises letting your grass grow a little bit on the long side but if you have ticks in your area, it’s not a bad idea to cut it down to about two to two and half inches in height.
Leaves and trees
Get rid of leaf piles with a leaf blower or rake. And pay attention to the trees on your property.
Also, ticks really love the shade. So, if you have trees with low-hanging branches, it’s not a bad idea to clip them off about 18 inches from the ground.
Build a "mulch moat"
Another trick, which Consumer Reports admits may sound odd, make a mulch moat. This can be really effective.
“Ticks really prefer densely wooded areas over open grass so running a border of mulch around your property creates one more physical barrier for them,” explained Consumer Reports Home Editor Paul Hope.
Consumer Reports says if you do this, make sure to use the wood chips or bark -- not the shredded mulch, which ends up creating the kind of damp areas they like.
Tick check
Always do a tick-check on all family members, including your pets. If you can, it's recommended you do a check before coming back into the house.
For both adults and children, the Centers for Disease Control says check the following locations of the body:
- Under the arms
- In and around the ears
- Inside belly button
- Back of the knees
- In and around the hair
- Between the legs
- Around the waist
When checking your pet for ticks, it's recommended you look in the following locations of the body:
- Under the collar
- Under the tail
- Inside the groin area
- Between the toes
- Under the front legs
- Elbow
If you find a tick, the CDC says remove the attached tick as soon as you notice it by grasping with tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and pulling it straight out. You can find step-by-step instructions here.
Tick repellent
When in the woods, remember to use a tick repellent.
Consumer Reports recommends OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent with 25% DEET, which costs about $8.
The consumer watchdog warns not all mosquito and tick repellents are created equal and has released its list of 5 types to skip -- because they aren't supported by evidence. You can see that list here.