How to tick-proof your garden: Plants to avoid and embrace
Ticks are unwelcome guests whose presence in the garden can pose a threat to the health of both people and animals. Certain plants can attract these arachnids, creating ideal conditions for them to thrive. Discover which plants to avoid planting in your garden to minimize the risk of their presence.
Ticks prefer moist and shady environments, making dense shrubs, tall grasses, and overhanging tree branches ideal for their presence. They can hide in leaves and patiently wait for a potential host to come along.
Which plants attract ticks? Plants like ferns, ivy, hazel, blackberry, and elderberry can create convenient hiding spots for ticks. They can also dwell in ground cover plants due to the suitable environment provided. However, if you want to keep these plants in your garden, proper care is essential.
How to avoid ticks in the garden?
Proper garden maintenance can help reduce the number of ticks. Regularly mowing the lawn and trimming shrubs are basic actions that can help limit their presence. During the spring and summer seasons, if it's not too hot, it's best to mow the lawn at least once every two weeks. Don't forget to use tick-repelling products before going outdoors.
Some plants may repel ticks. Examples such as lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, mint, and lemongrass produce scents that can deter ticks from inhabiting the garden. Ticks also dislike plants like onions, garlic, horseradish, thyme, and wormwood. Introducing these into the garden can be a natural way to limit tick presence. It's beneficial to combine different species to create a scent barrier.
How to remove ticks from the garden?
Beyond planting tick-repelling plants, other methods can deter these arachnids. Diatomaceous earth is a natural agent that can be spread in the garden to discourage ticks from settling. Alternatively, you can use chemical preparations, but it's worth considering ecological alternatives that are safer for the environment.
