Planning on hiking with your pets when the weather warms up? While exploring nature is a great way to enjoy the outdoors (and a pillar of longevity!), it also increases your risk of encountering ticks—small but dangerous pests that can pose significant health risks to both humans and animals. These parasites thrive in wooded areas, tall grasses, and even urban gardens, making it essential to take proactive steps to keep them off your body and out of your home. Here’s a run-down:

Where do ticks live?

Ticks are typically found in:

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• Wooded and grassy areas – They thrive in forests, tall grasses, and shrubs.
• Leaf litter and mulch – Ticks often hide in piles of leaves and dense mulch around gardens.
• Animal hosts – Deer, rodents, and even household pets can carry ticks into your yard and home.
• Moist environments – They prefer humid conditions, often hiding in shaded outdoor spaces.

The risks of tick infestations

Ticks are notorious carriers of diseases, including:

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• Lyme disease – Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, it can lead to fatigue, joint pain, fever, headaches, and neurological issues such as facial paralysis or memory problems. A characteristic bullseye rash may also appear.
  
  • Prevalence: Approximately 10-50% of black-legged ticks in endemic areas carry Borrelia burgdorferi.
  • Treatment: Lyme disease is typically treated with a course of antibiotics. If caught early, treatment is highly effective. If left untreated, symptoms can persist and become chronic - although there are ways to improve symptoms.
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever – A bacterial infection that can cause severe illness if untreated. Symptoms include high fever, rash, muscle aches, nausea, and severe headaches. If left untreated, it can lead to organ failure.
  
  • Prevalence: Around 1-5% of the American dog tick/Rocky Mountain wood tick carry Rickettsia rickettsii.
  • Treatment: Immediate antibiotic treatment is essential. Delayed treatment increases the risk of severe complications.
• Babesiosis – A tick-borne parasitic infection that affects red blood cells, leading to fever, chills, sweats, fatigue, muscle aches, and in severe cases, anemia and organ complications.
  
  • Prevalence: About 2-20% of black-legged ticks in the Northeast and Upper Midwest carry Babesia microti.
  • Treatment: Antiparasitic medications are used. Mild cases may resolve on their own, but severe cases require medical intervention.
• Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis – Infections that impact the immune system, causing flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, and confusion.
  
  • Prevalence: Anaplasmosis is found in approximately 5-15% of black-legged ticks, while ehrlichiosis is found in 1-3% of lone star ticks.
  • Treatment: Doxycycline is the primary treatment. If untreated, symptoms can worsen, leading to severe complications, but with timely antibiotics, recovery is typically complete.

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Keeping ticks out of your home is crucial for reducing these health risks. Here’s how:

When are ticks the most active?

Spring (April to June): As temperatures rise, ticks become more active. This is when adult ticks, especially black-legged ticks (the primary carriers of Lyme disease), are most likely to be encountered. The warmer, humid conditions are ideal for their survival, and they start seeking out hosts to feed on and reproduce.

Summer (June to August): This is another peak period for tick activity, particularly in areas with abundant vegetation. While adult ticks are still active, this time also sees an increase in nymphal ticks, which are smaller and harder to spot but still pose a risk of carrying diseases like Lyme disease.

Fall (September to November): Tick activity starts to decrease as temperatures drop. However, depending on the location, some ticks, like the lone star tick, may still remain active if the weather is warm enough.

Winter (December to March): Tick activity significantly slows down in the winter due to colder temperatures. However, black-legged ticks can remain active in mild winter conditions, particularly in areas with warmer climates or during warmer-than-usual winter spells.

Holistic prevention strategies to start today:

To naturally prevent ticks from entering your home, consider the following methods:

1. When it comes to your yard:

If you are lucky enough to have a yard, here are some tips:

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• Maintain landscaping – Keep grass short and remove leaf litter where ticks can hide.
• Create a tick barrier – Use wood chips or gravel to create a buffer zone between wooded areas and your lawn.
• Plant tick-repelling plants – Garlic, rosemary, lavender, and chrysanthemums naturally repel ticks.
• Introduce natural predators – Chickens, guinea fowl, and certain birds feed on ticks.

2. When it comes to your outdoor spaces:

• Essential oils – Use diluted eucalyptus, tea tree, and citronella oils as sprays for clothing, pets, and outdoor spaces.
• Diatomaceous earth – Sprinkle this natural powder around your yard to dehydrate and kill ticks.
• Apple cider vinegar spray – Mix apple cider vinegar with water and spray it on pets and outdoor furniture.

3. When it comes to your pets:

• Regular grooming – Check pets for ticks after walks and hikes.
• Natural flea and tick collars – Use herbal-infused collars with cedarwood and neem oil.
• Healthy diet – A nutrient-rich diet, including apple cider vinegar in safe amounts, can make pets less attractive to ticks.
• Oil treatment – Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has been shown to repel ticks and fleas. You can apply a small amount to your dog's coat.
• Flea and tick medication – the vet will give you flea and tick medication which will cause any tick to die once it bites your dog.

4. When it comes to your home and you:

• Check clothing and gear – Always inspect and shake out clothing, bags, and shoes before entering the house.
• Invest in a natural tick-repelling bracelet – These bracelets typically contain essential oils or other plant-based ingredients like geraniol, lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus and lavender that naturally repel ticks. They can be worn on the wrist or ankle and are a chemical-free option.
• Shower after a hike – Ticks can take several hours to find a suitable spot to bite, so washing them off quickly can reduce the risk of disease transmission. Using a washcloth or loofah can help dislodge any that might be clinging to your skin. Also, be sure to do a thorough tick check, especially around warm, hidden areas like behind the ears, underarms, waistband areas, and between the toes.
• Use natural tick repellents indoors – Essential oil diffusers with lavender or cedarwood can help keep ticks away.
• Wash and dry clothing on high heat – Ticks cannot survive high temperatures.
• Vacuum frequently – Clean carpets, pet bedding, and upholstery to remove any stray ticks.

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Preventing ticks from entering your home requires a combination of yard maintenance, natural repellents, and diligent pet care. By incorporating these holistic strategies, you can help protect yourself, your family, and your pets from the dangers of tick-borne illnesses. A proactive approach ensures that your home remains a safe and tick-free environment all year round.