Longer days and more and more hours of sunshine – hobby gardeners are drawn back outside into the garden. There's a lot to do, from mowing the lawn and pulling weeds to planting vegetables and flowers. But there is already a danger lurking outside – the ticks. The small bloodsuckers like it moist and can often be found in grass, bushes and any vegetation close to the ground, especially after rain or morning dew. The tick bite itself is not dangerous, but the arachnids transmit diseases such as TBE and Lyme disease and it is therefore important that you protect yourself appropriately. Today we'll reveal how to protect yourself from ticks in the garden using some clever onesTips and tricks.
What can you do against ticks in the garden?
You may already be wondering whether and how you can do your...Make the garden area tick-freecan. On the one hand, there are many chemical agents that you can use to treat your green areas against pests. But if you don't want to use chemicals in the garden, you can also consider some of the following tips.
- Mow the lawn regularly in spring and summer:Tall grass is a favorite habitat for ticks, so you can keep them away from your lawns by always keeping the lawn short.
- Limit wild growth of plants:TheWildflower gardenis on the rise, but overgrown shrubs will cast shade and make your yard tick-friendly. Cut back plants regularly and don't let your garden get too wild, otherwise you will create the ideal living conditions for uninvited guests.
- Clean up the garden:Are there still leaves from winter in your garden? The pile of leaves is the ideal location for a tick nest, so it should be removed in spring at the latest or moved to a remote location in the garden.
Are there ticks in my garden? A test
Ticks are small animals that are difficult to notice in your garden. If you are not sure whether they are currently in your outdoor area, a simple test can help. Take a stick and attach a white cloth to it. Then move the cloth along the areas where ticks are usually found, such as grass, bushes or damp lawns. Then take a closer look at the cloth: the ticks look like small black dots, and from a short distance you can recognize them by their eight legs.
When it comes to mosquitoes, ticks or fleas, pharmacy repellents are the first thing that comes to mind. While these have been shown to be effective, they have a limited effect and you need to reapply them, about every 30 to 60 minutes, or their effect will wear off. In addition, these protectants contain chemical ingredients such as DEET and Icaridin, which have an unpleasant smell and can even cause allergies. That's why we recommend using these tick repellents as a last option and, if possible, using natural alternatives.
Important: If you have discovered ticks in your yard, be sure to check your skin after every time you spend outside, even if you have applied a repellent. The animals primarily choose thin and warm areas of skin, such as the backs of the knees, armpits, head, neck and intimate area.
A clever trick with tape
Gardening can't wait and even ticks shouldn't stop you from properly caring for your plants and green spaces. Luckily, there is a simple trick you can use when gardening to protect yourself from the bloodsuckers. All you need is a piece of wide tape. Here's how:
- Put on long pants and long socks.
- Tuck your pants into your socks so that no part of your skin is visible.
- Wrap a piece of tape around the ankles, sticky side out, before going into the garden.
- Before you come back into the house, check the tape for trapped ticks and then throw it away.
Proper clothing is a must
If the ticks cannot access your skin, they cannot bite you. This means that the right clothing is usually sufficient protection against ticks when you work in the garden. Long pants and sleeves are a must, shoes should fit snugly and leave no exposed skin. The color of clothing also plays a role - wear light, smooth fabrics on which the black creepy crawlies are easily recognizable or cannot even crawl on.
Use well-known home remedies for ticks in the garden
Home remedies are a good alternative to chemical repellents because they do no harm and should have a similar effect at the same time. Here are the best three that are used to repel ticks.
- Coconut oil against ticks:We like this tick repellent best because it has a pleasant scent and is also good for the skin. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which studies show can deter ticks. So, apply coconut oil on your legs and arms to protect yourself.
- Keep animals away with black cumin oil:Although its effect has not yet been scientifically proven, black cumin oil should also repel ticks. It is often used on animals such as dogs as tick protection.
- Repel ticks with garlic:Ticks are bloodsuckers, so it makes sense that they don't like garlic, right? Consuming garlic is also said to reduce the likelihood of a tick bite.
You might also be interested in:What helps against ticks in the garden when infested and preventively
Can you get vaccinated?
You cannot be vaccinated against ticks, but you can be vaccinated against one of the diseases they transmit. There is a vaccination against the viral disease TBE (stands for tick-borne encephalitis) that is also available for children from the age of 1. Lyme disease, the other dangerous disease transmitted by ticks, is a bacterial disease for which unfortunately there is no vaccine protection.
Read more:How should you treat a tick bite??
