Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Grmmff t1_jdtpe4b wrote

Reply to comment by fattius_maximus in Maine Yard Care by AppointmentNo3240

Please forgive me I'm new here. I would prefer to hold off mowing as long as possible for economic and ecological reasons, but what about ticks?
Someone told me that leaf litter and tall grass would increase ticks.

1

PencillCat t1_jdtrxdd wrote

depends on your lawn I would imagine. Lawns generally don't get that tall during May to be tick infested, and I mow over any leaf litter to mulch. My backyard is surrounded by woods, so I'm going to have ticks around regardless. Lawns in more suburban/urban areas are less likely to have a problem.

but yes the taller the grass the more ticks it will attract.

7

Grmmff t1_jdtybsf wrote

Thank you! I'm mostly concerned with keeping ticks of my 7 month old. I want to spend as much time outside as possible. But I also worry that finding ticks on my baby will break my poor sleep deprived mind.

Our backyard is also surrounded by woods...

2

PencillCat t1_jdtzg4s wrote

Understandable. Generally ticks like to hang out on shrubs and tall grasses (where they can jump onto people/animals that walk by). I've only encountered ticks on my property when dealing with the tall weeds that grow along the edges of the woods, never just hanging out on my lawn. They kind of like wet/shaded areas the most. So as long as long as you take precautions in areas like that you'll be fine. But it's also a good idea to get in the habit of doing a "tick check" everytime you come inside. It takes a little while for the buggers to really latch on, so routine checks are a good habit.

4

fattius_maximus t1_jduvzdi wrote

Honestly, that’s never a concern for me. I have just 4 chickens. They provide more than enough protection from ticks for my 2 acres of a bit of woods and almost 1.5 acres of grass. Ticks suck, before I had those lovely ladies on my side property we had a lot. However we never sprayed pesticides because it doesn’t do anything but harm your land. I’m not on the up and up on how to destroy those little demons. But they are great feed for my chickens!

3

Grmmff t1_jduyvdp wrote

Honestly, I'm so tempted, but the thought of MORE living creatures to be responsible for right now is too much. Maybe next year.
Yea, no pesticides. Need bugs for baby to catch when he's older.

3

fattius_maximus t1_jdw8xij wrote

Yeah, I get the MORE part. I have a household of dogs, birds and even Guinea pig or two or 3. I was sure glad to have the ladies when egg prices went up. I had to buy eggs once in the last 2 years. Just not the same.

2

ComplexLeather986 t1_jdxcouw wrote

I’ve heard that Guinea hens eat the hell out of tick populations but also know their “scream” is um.. obnoxious, and that everything startles them. Husband and I just bought my aunts house with a great coop and definitely want to get some birds in there so I’d love some info on types.

Also - ticks give me anxiety. I had late disseminated Lyme in 2018 and it took years for the symptoms to go away. Also have a toddler so spraying is out.

2

fattius_maximus t1_jdxjylt wrote

They sure do, my aunt used to raise them! They are entertaining as well! Also annoying most of the time. But they can out eat chickens when it comes to insects. The problem is they eat a lot of the beneficial insects as well.

2