5 Effective Tips for Getting Rid of Ticks in Florida

Are you tired of these ticks latching onto you and your pets? Learn how to protect your home and loved ones from these tiny threats, and stick around to uncover more handy tips throughout this post.

Key Takeaways

• A short lawn cleared debris and a sunlit perimeter can help prevent tick infestations.
• Vet-recommended tick control for pets and EPA-approved repellents on skin and clothing can reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases.
• Regular tick checks, protective clothing, showers after outdoor activities, and high-heat laundry are effective preventive steps.
• Professional pest control services offer thorough, long-term solutions when DIY methods fall short.

1. Maintain Your Lawn to Prevent Tick Infestations

In Florida, types of ticks like deer ticks or gulf coast ticks love tall grass and cluttered areas. With proper landscaping, you can reduce shade to maintain a tick-free zone. Mow to keep the grass short. Clear leaves and debris promptly since ticks thrive in such environments. Trim bushes and shrubs to reduce suitable habitats further.

2. Create a Tick-Free Perimeter Around Your Yard

Designing a tick-free perimeter involves strategic measures. Gravel or wood chip barriers between lawns, gardens, and wooded areas work wonders. A two to three-foot border is also effective.

3. Apply Tick Repellents to Outdoor Spaces

Different insect repellents work in different situations. For instance, permethrin products are highly effective for treating clothing and outdoor gear, making them ideal for activities like hiking or camping.

Meanwhile, sprays designed for grass and bushes are better suited for yard maintenance or outdoor gatherings.

4. Treat Pets with Vet-Recommended Tick Control Products

Pets can often bring ticks into the home if not protected. In Florida, various tick species, like the brown dog tick and the lone star tick, are common on pets. They can cause tick-borne illnesses like ehrlichiosis.

Vets may offer oral medications, tick collars, or topical treatments to remove and prevent ticks effectively.

5. Use EPA-Approved Tick Repellents on Skin and Clothing

Applying EPA-approved tick repellents is essential for avoiding tick bites. Look for products that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and follow label instructions for safe application on skin and clothing. Reapplying as directed ensures effective protection when spending time outdoors in tick-infested areas.

How to Protect Your Florida Home and Family from Ticks

The Florida Department of Health emphasizes the importance of preventing tick bites to reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF)

Here’s how to guard against ticks effectively:

Check for Signs of Returning Tick Activity

Check your property for signs at different stages in the life cycle, such as eggs, nymphs, and adults. If you notice signs of a resurgence, apply appropriate tick control measures immediately to keep tick populations under control.

Wear Protective Clothing When Outdoors

Choose long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and close-toed shoes. Light-colored clothing helps with spotting ticks more easily. Wearing a hat can also prevent ticks from attaching to your scalp. Combined with EPA-approved repellents, this approach can maximize your defense against ticks.

Conduct Regular Tick Checks After Outdoor Activities

After being outdoors, especially in heavily wooded or grassy areas, performing tick checks is vital. Ticks often attach where the skin is thin and warm, such as behind the knees, ears, around the waist, and between the legs. Use fine-tipped tweezers for tick removal, and clean the area with rubbing alcohol.

Shower Immediately After Outdoor Exposure

Showering soon after returning indoors can help wash away ticks that haven’t attached and allow checking for ticks in harder-to-see areas. Focus on washing regions between toes, underarms, and hair to remove ticks effectively.

Wash and Dry Clothes on High Heat

After outdoor activities, wash and dry clothes on high heat to kill any remaining ticks. Use hot water for washing, as cold or medium settings may not be as effective. Drying clothes on high for at least 10 minutes ensures ticks cannot survive.

Schedule Professional Services for Long Term Solutions

Living with the fear of ticks in Florida can be unsettling. When you find your DIY methods aren't cutting it or notice increased tick activity, it might be time to contact professional pest control companies (like us at Native Pest Management).

As professionals, we offer regular inspections and treatments that address the root of the problem, not just the surface-level infestations. Our services tailor plans according to the specific needs and property conditions.