With more time spent outdoors during the summer months, concern regarding ticks and Lyme disease is becoming more prevalent. Public health agencies recommend a range of strategies to help reduce tick exposure, from using insect repellent to performing tick checks after spending time outdoors. What many homeowners may not realize is that outdoor living projects can play a role in reducing tick-friendly habitat around the home.
Hardscaping as a Tick Prevention Strategy
Ticks thrive in wooded areas, tall grasses, leaf litter and unmanaged vegetation, and Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection spread through tick bites, can cause serious health issues if not treated promptly. Well-designed outdoor spaces that incorporate hardscaping features such as patios, walkways, retaining walls and gravel borders can help reduce dense vegetation where ticks are most commonly found.
“When the weather is warm, families naturally want to spend more time outdoors, whether that’s entertaining guests on the patio, relaxing by the firepit or letting kids and pets play in the backyard,” says Laura Panetta, Director of Communications at Unilock. “While outdoor living projects are often chosen to create beautiful, functional spaces for family and friends to enjoy, thoughtful hardscape design can also help keep ticks at bay.”
Recommended Landscaping Practices
Experts recommend several landscaping practices that can help reduce exposure to ticks:
- Creating clear transitions between lawns, gardens and wooded areas using stone or gravel borders
- Installing patios and outdoor living spaces that reduce unmanaged vegetation near high-use areas
- Using paved pathways to encourage movement through designated spaces rather than through tall grass or brush
- Removing leaf litter and maintaining landscape beds around the home
“It’s never too late in the season to take a fresh look at your outdoor space and make improvements that help you feel more comfortable enjoying time outside with family, friends and pets,” adds Laura. “With so many beautiful concrete pavers and natural stone slabs to choose from today, homeowners don’t have to compromise on style when they expand hardscape areas. It’s possible to create outdoor spaces that are welcoming, functional and help keep everyone safer from ticks.”
Additional Resources
For landscape inspiration and hardscaping project ideas, visit Unilock.com. For more information about ticks, visit Health Canada resources on “How to prevent tick bites and reduce ticks around the home” and ticks and tick-borne diseases.
