The Overlooked Solution For Keeping Fleas And Ticks Out Of Your Lawn Is So Easy

Many homeowners would typically opt for insecticides and sprays when dealing with fleas and ticks, thinking it's the best way to control these pests. However, there's actually a much simpler and highly effective way to prevent their infestation: mowing the lawn. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fleas and ticks can easily penetrate homes when the lawn is unkempt. They can hide in tall, untreated grass and hitch a ride on shoes, clothing, and pets. Before homeowners even notice, the little arthropods are already inside their homes, breeding, feeding on their blood, and spreading serious illnesses. Mowing regularly and cutting your grass short (but not too short) are overlooked solutions for keeping fleas and ticks out of your lawn. It's so easy and can make a big difference, not only in terms of keeping your lawn looking pristine, but also in reducing the chances of these creepy crawlers invading your home.

Unmanicured grass can become an ideal environment for ticks and fleas. Ticks like to climb tall blades so they can latch onto passing hosts. On the other hand, fleas enjoy the cool, shaded base of tall grass where moisture is often retained. Given these, a lawn that hasn't been maintained will be the perfect staging ground for parasitic infestation, especially when pets play around the yard regularly. If you feel you aren't treating your yard for fleas and ticks enough, it's not too late to add lawn trimming to your pest prevention checklist. 

Knowing that cutting grass can keep ticks out of your house is not enough. You also need to know how to cut it right. Over-trimming can cause stress and damage to your lawn in a way that it will become more vulnerable to other types of pests. You need to remember that the goal here is to strike a balance: make it short enough to discourage fleas and ticks from coming over, but long enough to protect your turf against other potential hazards.

Cutting the grass too short is not advised. It's one of the common mistakes when mowing the lawn that can bring more problems for you, especially during summer when the heat of the sun is stronger and the air is drier. Your grass could die out or struggle to grow back. That's why experts recommend maintaining your grass at a healthy height of 3 to 4 inches. This will discourage pest activity without sacrificing the health of the lawn.

Remove lawn clippings and debris after each mow. When left untidy, these can trap moisture and provide spots for fleas and ticks to live in, and this defeats the purpose of trimming your lawn to drive the arthropods away. Also, don't forget to eliminate weeds and brush, which can form dense patches. These can also serve as hiding spots. Finally, consider setting a regular trimming schedule; doing it once a week during the warmer seasons and every two weeks during the colder ones is ideal.

While regular mowing and basic cleanup can eliminate potential hiding places for ticks and fleas, there are plenty of other ways to make your outdoor space less welcoming to these pests — one of which is landscaping your yard with pest-repelling plants. Planting rosemary, mint, sage, geranium, lavender, and marigold will not just beautify your lawn; their smell can also naturally deter ticks and fleas. 

Another hack is to add mulch borders or gravel walkways around your yard. They heat up under the sun and act as a physical barrier, preventing pests from reaching plant roots and stems. Gravel can also suppress weeds — a welcome bonus if you don't like wild plants popping up in your yard. However, bear in mind that while gravel is effective, it can be costly. If it's out of your budget, check out gravel alternatives that are equally great for hardscaping projects, such as decomposed granite.

Finally, consider using essential oils to keep ticks and fleas off your lawn. Eucalyptus oil is a natural repellent. It's found in many pest-repelling products, including shampoos and sprays. To ward off ticks and fleas, spray the perimeter of your yard with a mixture of four teaspoons of eucalyptus oil and one cup of water. You can also do the same to the surroundings of your home, beddings, and even on your pet's fur.