Ticks in the Garden: Practical ways to protect people and pets

Ticks in the garden pose a health risk to people and pets, particularly during warm, humid spells. These parasites take advantage of long lawns, shady corners and areas where lots of organic material has built up, using them as hiding places while they wait for a host. For that reason, control starts well before you spot the first insect on skin or in an animal’s coat, bringing together environmental upkeep, vegetation management and everyday protection for pets.

How do ticks arrive and establish themselves in the garden?

Ticks most often get into gardens by hitching a ride on dogs, cats, birds and small wild mammals. After feeding on blood, many drop off and remain in the vegetation or on the ground, beginning new life cycles and spreading quickly where conditions suit them.

Gardens with long grass, dense shrubs and damp corners provide the shelter, shade and moisture this arachnid needs. Living close to green spaces, vacant plots or strips of woodland increases the risk, because there is more movement of hosts that act as “bridges” into the back garden.

Watch a video on the YouTube channel Horta do Ditinho about applying natural repellents in the garden and looking after physical barriers to help keep pests and insects away from your family:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX_jY8dK2aM

Which environmental measures help reduce ticks in the garden?

Among the most effective environmental steps is keeping the lawn neatly cut. Regular mowing reduces moisture near the soil and lets more sunlight reach the ground, making the area less suitable for ticks and making it harder for them to reach people and animals.

Clearing away organic debris also plays an important part in controlling the parasite. To keep your garden-maintenance routine straightforward, it helps to follow a few simple practices that reduce shelter and damp:

• Collect fallen leaves regularly to prevent them accumulating on the ground.
• Dispose of pruning and cuttings properly, away from children and animals.
• Avoid leaving stacks of logs directly on the soil for long periods.
• Keep flower beds well ventilated, without plants packed too tightly together.

How can you deter animals that bring ticks into the garden?

Managing the presence of wild animals is part of prevention, without harming local wildlife. Rodents, opossums, hedgehogs, rabbits and some birds come onto the property looking for food or shelter and can continually introduce ticks into the garden.

The aim is to make the space less appealing by reducing food sources and hiding places. A few everyday actions can help cut down the traffic of these unwanted visitors:

1. Store pet food and other food in sealed containers, with no leftovers left out.
2. Use bins with lids and keep rubbish bags tightly tied, especially overnight.
3. Seal gaps and holes in walls, decking, under stairs and timber structures.
4. Keep storage areas and garages tidy, avoiding piles of boxes on the floor.

How can you protect dogs and cats from ticks in the garden?

Even when the garden is well maintained, dogs and cats remain the main route by which ticks enter the home. Prevention needs to be ongoing, using anti-parasite collars, tablets, sprays or spot-on drops applied to the skin, selected with a veterinary surgeon according to the animal’s age, weight and routine.

Alongside these products, a hands-on check after walks is an important step for catching parasites early. Checking ears, the neck, armpits and between the toes, brushing the coat, and cleaning blankets and beds regularly helps break the cycle in the garden and reduces the risk of diseases carried by these arachnids.