Ticks don't really live in trees, but that does not mean that your trees don't play a role in tick control. Trees do generate shade, and ticks love shade. The way you care for your trees and the growth underneath them can also affect how many ticks you see on your property. Here are some specific, tree-related tips for better tick control.
Have your trees' crowns thinned out
Hire a tree trimming company to trim your trees about once a year. When they arrive, make sure they know one of your goals is to let more light shine through and reduce the shade. By thinning the crown, your tree trimmers can reduce the amount of shade beneath the trees, and they can reduce the number of hours the space beneath the tree is shaded. This will make the area beneath the tree less appealing to ticks. If the area gets some sun, it will often be too hot and dry for ticks to really congregate there.
Wrap your trees' trunks so you can trim around them better
Weeds growing around the tree's trunk can also invite and harbor ticks. However, trimming the grass and weeds immediately around the tree can be difficult because you don't want to injure your tree's trunk in doing so. The easiest solution is to have the base of the tree's trunk wrapped in either aluminum or vinyl. A tree care company can do this for you, or you can buy the wrap and apply it yourself. With the wrap in place, you can use a weed whacker closer to the tree's trunk without injuring the tree. You can, therefore, keep the weeds better trimmed, making the area less appealing to ticks.
Avoid low-to-the-ground and bushy trees
When choosing new trees for your landscape, focus on ones that have tall trunks and space between the foliage and the ground. Avoid smaller, bush-like trees that don't have any space under them. Ticks like to gather under these low-to-the-ground trees and bushes, and there's really no way to trim the tree or make the area less appealing to ticks. Pick trees like crabapples and ornamental cherries since these have space under the branches.
With the tips above, you can make sure your trees are not attracting ticks or perpetuating a tick problem. It's all about taking small steps, over time, to make your yard less of a tick haven. Reach out to a tick control professional for more assistance.
