Ticks are nuisance pests that can cause severe toxic allergic reactions and are vectors of numerous viruses, bacteria, and protozoa that can impact humans, companion animals, and domestic livestock. A wide variety of personal protection measures and tick control strategies have been used or investigated to reduce contact between ticks and humans, reduce tick abundance, or lower the prevalence of tick-borne agents in the ticks 

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 At Westchester Organics, we use an organic chemical compound made up of cedar oils and other natural ingredients, to kill ticks on contact with a residual effect of 21 days, without adding any additional harmful risk to your family or pets. This spray not only immediately eliminates the pest but repels others in the area of application, as well. Westchester Organics is motivated to completely eliminate the problem rather than just help the problem. With the combination of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and strategic regular spray application, the tick elimination success rate is extremely high among our clients.  

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Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

 

 Rather than simply eliminating the pests you see right now, using IPM means to look at all environmental factors that affect the pest and its ability to thrive. Armed with this information, you can create conditions that are unfavorable for the pest.

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• Pest identification

• Monitoring and assessing pest numbers and damage

• Guidelines for when management action is needed

• Preventing pest problems

• Using a combination of biological, cultural, physical/mechanical and chemical management tools

• After action is taken, assessing the effect of pest management

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Tick Tubes

Deer ticks contract Lyme disease by feeding on white-footed mice, not deer. This remarkable Lyme disease-preventing solution consists of placing small tubes filled with cotton balls. The cotton is treated with the mild insecticide Permethrin. We place the Tick Tubes in areas around your yard where mice frolic. That's it. Mice will do the rest for you by gathering the cotton to build nests in their burrows. Young ticks feeding on the mice are killed by the insecticide before they can spread Lyme Disease to you, your family, or your pets. Every mouse that uses Tick Tubes to create nests can kill hundreds of ticks each season. Studies have shown that Tick Tubes actually reduce the risk of exposure to an infected tick by up to 97%! We place the tubes in spring and fall as needed. If you have wooded areas with fallen leaves that are not fully removed near your home, then mice will be active and this product is for you.

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Where Do Ticks Live in My Yard?

A common misconception is that ticks prefer high places, such as overhanging tree branches. Many people infer this from the fact that ticks are often found nesting in human hair. Contrary to this popular belief, ticks tend to hang out in shady spots closer to the ground. They are attracted to weeds, tall grasses, low-lying shrubs, and at the outer edge of grasslands and lawns. Ticks cannot jump or fly – they attach to humans via direct contact. Once a tick latches onto skin, it usually climbs to a protected area, such as hair or armpits.

 

Any Moist Or Humid Environment

Ticks enjoy shady, moist areas near the ground. They can regularly be located 1-2 feet above the ground – clinging to vegetation such as grass, brush, bushes, flowers, and shrubs.

Wood Piles

Wood piles attract ticks for two primary reasons:

1. They offer shady refuge

2. They harbor mice and other rodents that ticks often latch onto

High Grassy Areas

Take steps against ticks by making your lawn and garden less attractive to these pests. Keeping areas free of tall grass, weeds, and garden debris will deter small rodents from trespassing onto your property. This is doubly beneficial as rodents often transport ticks.

Wooded Areas

Ticks populate around wooded areas. It is wise to take extra precautions in late spring and early summer when in such landscapes – during this time of year, the transmission of Lyme Disease undergoes a significant uptick in new cases.

Stone Walls

Ticks often dwell in or near retaining walls, old stone walls, fences, and any structural feature along the periphery of one’s yard/property. Stone walls are also attractive to ticks because they collect and retain moisture. We make a concerted effort to treat these areas.

Leaf Piles

Grass clippings, leaf mounds, and yard debris make ideal hiding places for ticks. Instead of piling large branches and sticks in a heap, we recommend putting them in the trash or taking them to the dump.

Fallen And Low-Hanging Tree Branches

Ticks like to cling to wood. Trees with low-hanging branches offer a perfect habitat. Pruning and trimming these areas can help keep your family safe.

Overgrown Shrubs

Thick, unkempt shrubs and bushes cast a dense shade that offers a refuge for ticks. Trimming and pruning these plants will allow sunlight to filter through, keeping ticks away.

Bird Feeders

When it comes to ticks, deer receive most of the blame as culpable transmitters. However, many tick experts insist birds are the primary carriers. Every springtime, migrating birds transport millions of ticks to local bird feeders, where other animals, including deer and rodents, become infected.

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