Lyme Disease Awareness Month: Tips To Reduce Tick Exposure At Your Own Home From The Squad

RICHMOND, Va., May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Wondering how to protect yourself and your family from ticks this spring and summer?  Mosquito Squad, the national leader in tick and mosquito elimination has teamed up with licensed contractor, TV host and yard expert Jason Cameron to create easy DIY tips helping homeowners eliminate disease bearing ticks from their yards.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 14 significant diseases, including Lyme disease, are carried by ticks.  While tick species vary by region, the black-legged tick that causes Lyme disease is most prevalent in the Northeastern and upper Midwest regions of the United States and is responsible for the majority of Lyme disease reports.

"Ticks are insidious and can really affect your health without you knowing about it," Cameron said. "I live in one of the most tick infested areas of the country and I know first hand how difficult it can be to create and maintain a tick-free living space.  Together with The Squad, we're teaching homeowners how to take care of their outdoor spaces for their ultimate enjoyment, comfort and wellness."

Advice from Cameron and The Squad for tick proofing yards include:

CLEAR OUT. Reduce your tick exposure by clearing out areas where lawn and tree debris gathers. Ticks thrive in moist, shady areas and tend to die in sunny, dry areas.  Locate compost piles away from play areas or high traffic areas. Separate paths or play areas with wood chips or gravel. Don't position playground equipment, decks and patios near treed areas. Cameron also recommends rubber mulch under playground sets and faux turf for smaller areas that take a lot of wear.

CLEAN. Eliminate leaf litter and brush by cleaning it up around the house and lawn edges, mow tall grasses and keep your lawn short.  "Keeping your yard clean means more than just a spring and fall clean up," Cameron said. "Before you mow, take a walk around your house and yard to determine what needs to be fixed, cut or thrown away."

CHOOSE PLANTS. If you have deer in your area, you likely have ticks.  Select plants and shrubs that are not attractive to deer and/or install physical barriers to keep deer out of your yard. Cameron recommends bellflower, corydalis and big root geraniums, but check with your local nursery to determine the best choices for your area.

CHECK HIDING PLACES. Know tick hiding places and check them frequently. Fences, brick walls and patio retaining walls are popular hiding places. Rake, and keep yard trash and plants at least 12 inches away from the fences, walls and foundations.

CARE FOR FAMILY PETS. Family pets can suffer from Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and also carry infected ticks into the home. Talk to your veterinarian about using tick collars and sprays. As with all pest control products, be sure to follow directions carefully. "If you personally wouldn't spend time in your yard due to ticks, then please, don't send your pets out there. Be sure to check your dog each time they are in the yard, so ticks don't make their way into the house," Cameron added.

CALL THE PROS.  "With more than 30,000 new cases of Lyme disease diagnosed annually, consider professional help to ensure your yard is tick-free," Cameron said.  Pros utilize both barrier sprays that can kill live ticks on the spot as well as "tick tubes." Strategically placed, "tick tubes" prompt field mice to incorporate tick-killing material in their bedding, effectively eliminating hundreds of tick nymphs found in each mouse nest.

About Mosquito Squad 

With more than 160 franchise locations nationwide, Mosquito Squad specializes in eliminating mosquitoes and ticks from outdoor living spaces, allowing Americans to enjoy their yards, outdoor living spaces, special events and green spaces. The Squad has been a proud supporter of Malaria No More since 2011.  For more information, visit www.MosquitoSquad.com, www.MosquitoSquadFranchise.com and www.OutdoorLivingBrands.com.   

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150504/213637

SOURCE Mosquito Squad

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