Some natural methods and purposefully planted plants will help keep ticks out of your garden.
Ticks are not just something you encounter on a hike in the woods. They can also lurk in city parks or even in your own home garden.
Most tick-killing chemicals can’t be used in gardens – or many people are afraid of them – but you can do a lot to keep ticks out of your home with a few targeted anti-tick measures.
Tick-free gardens
Tick repellent plants
There are some plants whose scent is hard for these tiny bloodsuckers to tolerate. The good news is that many of these plants are also particularly beautiful and can be a garden ornament as well. Examples include lavender, marigold, rosemary, sage, fragrant catnip and eucalyptus.
Short lawn
Ticks like cool, moist gardens. If the grass is too long and there are leaves on the ground, this creates favorable conditions for ticks. It is therefore a good idea to keep the lawn short so that sunlight can reach the soil. If there are any excess leaves in the garden, it is also a good idea to remove them.
Fence against ticks?
Most ticks are brought in by animals in the garden. However, if you can keep away hedgehogs, stray cats, dogs and small rodents with a proper fence, the number of ticks can be reduced.
Gravel beds, pine bark
If the garden is in a natural area – near a forest or field – ticks can easily enter the garden. A natural barrier can help to control them. If you spread a bed of gravel or mulch half a meter wide at the base of the fence, you will interrupt the natural vegetation.
Ticks are reluctant to cross the gravel or pine bark, which is easier to warm through than grass, so there is a good chance that they will not enter the garden.
Removing ticks
If you do find a tick in yourself or your child, it is important to remove it as soon as possible. If you’re observant, you’ll probably spot the tiny bloodsucker at the latest when you take your bath in the evening.
Simply hold the animal’s body as close to your skin as possible with a pair of tweezers and remove it with a firm upwards movement. It’s no problem if the animal’s head – actually its mouthparts – get torn off, the body will usually push it out as a result of a minor local inflammation.