Ticks live in overgrown areas - tall grass, weeds, and brush. They do not survive well in sunny, dry areas, such as well-maintained lawns. They are most likely to be troublesome in areas that border overgrowth. Keep grass and shrubs in your yard trimmed, and clear overgrown vegetation (as much as possible) along lawn edges.
Treating entire lawns for ticks generally is unnecessary. Insecticide applications may be useful in areas where ticks are found and where pets, rodents, and other potential wild hosts of ticks are likely to stay. Contact your local Extension office for insecticide recommendations.
Free-roaming pets can pick up ticks and bring them into the yard. Several products used for flea control also help reduce tick problems.
