The warm summer weather means more opportunities to spend time outdoors, but it also means more disease-bearing pests are hanging around, such as ticks. Fortunately, there are plenty of expert-recommended solutions for how to get rid of ticks in your yard and avoid tick bites this summer. Here’s how to deal with these pests naturally so your whole family can enjoy your outdoor spaces safely.

What to Know About Ticks

Ticks are tiny, wingless bugs with eight legs. They are technically classified as arachnids, the same class as spiders and mites, and they are parasites that feed off a host’s blood.

While not all of the hundreds of tick species worldwide are harmful to humans and animals, many carry pathogens that cause serious illnesses, such as Lyme disease. Some of these dangerous ticks are prominent in regions of the United States.

According to Andrea Nilsson of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, ticks live on the ground and can climb grasses and bushes up to 27 inches, where “they find hosts with the help of temperature-sensitive cells.” Because tick bites are often painless, it can be difficult to sense the bug on your skin. However, you can do things in your yard to remove places they prefer and make the environment less hospitable for them.

Where Ticks Live in Your Yard

“Ticks live on the ground and prefer areas with high humidity,” says Laura Iles, director of the North Central Integrated Pest Management Center at Iowa State University. “In a backyard, this is areas with tall grass or dense plantings. Being aware that these are tick habitats is important for homeowners so they can be sure to check themselves for ticks if they were in portions of their yard with tall, dense plantings. Mowing weedy areas in or adjacent to the yard reduces tick habitat,” says Iles.

“Ticks prefer shady, wooded areas, so stick to open, sunny parts of the yard,” says Josh Payne, owner of Classic Landscapes. Ticks also love piles of leaves, stacks of mulch, and any other garden debris in a humid and moist environment.

It is best to eliminate tall grass or weeds around wood piles. “If feeding birds, select feeders and seed that minimize the amount that is dropped to the ground, as this serves as food for [tick-carrying] mice,” Iles says.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ticks

Get rid of ticks naturally by making your yard inhospitable to them.

1. Keep the yard tidy.

One way to naturally get rid of ticks in your yard is to remove what attracts them in the first place. “Clean up any leaves or fallen branches from the yard, stack any wood piles neatly (and in the sun to stay dry), and regularly mow the lawn to keep it short, so kids and pets can roam free in those areas.” Payne says.

2. Grow tick-repelling herbs and garden plants.

“To naturally repel ticks, we planted lavender, rosemary, basil, and catnip, which deter ticks with their strong oils,” says Payne. These plants, along with others, like the American beautyberry bush or mint, create an unpleasant environment for ticks.

3. Install a rock or mulch barrier.

Areas with tall grass or undergrowth are the most likely places where ticks will be. “A 3-foot-wide mulch or rock barrier placed between a tick habitat and the rest of the yard is a low-humidity area that ticks are less likely to cross. Place any play or seating areas away from likely tick-friendly habitats,” Iles says.

How to Avoid Ticks in Your Yard

If you’ve done what you can to repel ticks from your yard naturally, you still should stay vigilant and take precautions to avoid tick bites whenever you spend time outdoors.

1. Stay away from tick-prone places.

Stick to sunny areas of the yard. Ticks prefer shade. Avoid brushing up against dense vegetation where ticks may be waiting to hitch a ride. Remain in hardscaped areas such as patios and decks as much as possible.

2. Wear protective clothing and insect repellent.

If you’ve spotted ticks in your yard, Nilsson recommends wearing protective clothing with long sleeves and tucking long pants into socks or boots. It's also helpful to wear light-colored clothes to make it easier to spot any ticks on your clothing. When gardening, use insect repellent with permethrin-based insecticide on any exposed skin and apply it to socks or pant legs.

3. Check for ticks often.

“Regular tick checks are key after being outside,” Payne reminds. Check children, pets, and yourself after going out to wooded areas. Don’t forget to look behind the ears and in the hair. Do the same for visitors and guests who might not be aware of tick dangers.

Nilsson agrees that it is vital to remove ticks from the skin immediately and to always inspect the entire body for ticks. “Ticks should be removed by pulling them straight out with tweezers or a specially designed tick removal tool, or by using your fingers if the necessary tools are not available,” she adds.