Remember these tips for flea and tick control this summer.
Spring and summer are the seasons when your landscape jumps back to life. This means beautiful gardens and lush trees and shrubs, but it also means an abundance of wildlife, insects, and pests. In particular, many homeowners are concerned about flea and tick control for the summer. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, while fleas can cause substantial discomfort and potential allergic reactions. Fleas and ticks affect humans and pets and can be challenging to spot and manage. Fortunately, you can do your part to prevent flea and tick infestations from derailing your summer. Consider the following tips and contact Scientific Plant Service for more guidance on pest prevention this season.
Yard Maintenance
Maintaining your yard is one way to practice flea and tick control. Maintenance includes mowing your lawn regularly to about 2.5 to 3.5 inches, which makes it less attractive to fleas and ticks. Remove leaf litter, brush, and tall weeds, which also serve as habitats for pests. Checking that your lawn mower blades are sharp, not rusted or dull, is also essential to ensure a healthy, clean cut of your grass blades.
Create Non-Inviting Boundaries
You can use landscaping materials to create barriers against these pests and keep them away from your family and pets. For instance, you may line the perimeter of your lawn with gravel, mulch, or other landscaping materials to create a barrier against ticks. You can seal holes and other spaces to prevent rodents and other wild animals from spending time on your lawn. Rodents frequently host fleas and ticks in their various life stages and can transport these pests to your property. Finally, consider planting flea-repellant plants like marigold or lavender.
Reduce Wildlife Access
Make your property unappealing to stray wildlife by securing garbage cans and removing bird feeders. These keep wildlife away, which carry fleas and ticks into your landscape. You can also install fences to keep out deer and other large animals. Deer carry ticks into your landscape and wreak havoc on your garden. If you need deer repellent techniques, contact Scientific Plant Service for specialized service.
Manage Water on Your Landscape
Fleas, ticks, and other pests are attracted to moist areas of your landscape. You might install stone or brick pavers or sidewalks to limit moisture retention and discourage fleas and ticks from invading your property. When outside, try to stay in bright, sunny, and airy areas of your lawn. Fleas and ticks prefer damp and shady environments. Finally, don’t overwater your lawn. Excess moisture on your lawn may attract these insects. Lawns are healthier when they are watered as the soil becomes dry, rather than on a regular schedule.
Call the Professionals
If you are still concerned about fleas, ticks, and other pests on your landscape, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Scientific Plant Service. Our technicians can spot signs of pest infestations and recommend specific solutions tailored to your landscape to prevent these insects from becoming a nuisance or danger to your family and pets. Investing in flea and tick control for the summer is always worthwhile.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest.