severe tick infestation - Ask Extension
We have a severe tick infestation. We can no longer use the patio, swing set or tree house in our back yard. We grow blackberries and blueberries and ...
Knowledgebase
severe tick infestation #879114
Asked July 28, 2024, 1:29 PM EDT
We have a severe tick infestation. We can no longer use the patio, swing set or tree house in our back yard. We grow blackberries and blueberries and are covered in ticks after picking. Both are enclosed to keep out wildlife. The ticks are bigger than deer ticks if that matters.
We purchased a yard spray that is advertised as child and wildlife safe. However, is it safe to use on the berries?
We will spray all the areas in our yard except the berries. But what can we do about the ticks in the blackberries and blueberries?
Beth
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
We are sorry you are dealing with this problem and hope we can assist you with some information.
We would approach your situation with habitat/yard modification and personal protection.
Here is our Ticks in Maryland page that explains more:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/ticks-maryland/
We do not recommend a blanket pesticide spray of the yard. This is environmentally unsound and will kill all beneficial insects and pollinators and other organisms that are meant to be in a healthy ecosystem. Many of these insects help control other problem pests, as well as are beautiful (butterflies, bees, lightning bugs) and important to feed our songbirds etc. (Some ingredients may be toxic for humans as well).
Given the use of fencing to protect the fruits, we wonder if that allowed a lot of grassy weeds to grow around the plants. Ticks don't like dry, hot ground where they are more apt to die and the weeds would have allowed a shaded, cooler, more humid area to thrive.
Personal protection is the best way to go when spending time out in your yard where you know they are. You can find permethrin sprays for clothing at local stores that last through multiple washes, as well as clothes that are ready to wear or even places online that will apply the permethrin and mail the items back to you.
Sprays or lotions containing DEET or Picaridin can be used with good effect as well (and work on mosquitoes too).
In our area it is good make 'tick checking' a regular part of your day, especially around hairlines, groins/armpits/ears and snug places like where belts or bras are tighter. Showers are useful too.
Christine
We would approach your situation with habitat/yard modification and personal protection.
Here is our Ticks in Maryland page that explains more:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/ticks-maryland/
We do not recommend a blanket pesticide spray of the yard. This is environmentally unsound and will kill all beneficial insects and pollinators and other organisms that are meant to be in a healthy ecosystem. Many of these insects help control other problem pests, as well as are beautiful (butterflies, bees, lightning bugs) and important to feed our songbirds etc. (Some ingredients may be toxic for humans as well).
Given the use of fencing to protect the fruits, we wonder if that allowed a lot of grassy weeds to grow around the plants. Ticks don't like dry, hot ground where they are more apt to die and the weeds would have allowed a shaded, cooler, more humid area to thrive.
Personal protection is the best way to go when spending time out in your yard where you know they are. You can find permethrin sprays for clothing at local stores that last through multiple washes, as well as clothes that are ready to wear or even places online that will apply the permethrin and mail the items back to you.
Sprays or lotions containing DEET or Picaridin can be used with good effect as well (and work on mosquitoes too).
In our area it is good make 'tick checking' a regular part of your day, especially around hairlines, groins/armpits/ears and snug places like where belts or bras are tighter. Showers are useful too.
Christine
