This story was originally published in May 2019. In many regions of the country, disease-ridden ticks are a major concern, serious enough to convince some people to douse their lawns with pesticides and chemically treat their outdoor clothing. Yet many people are opposed to introducing synthetic chemicals into the environment, even to combat a particularly dangerous pest.
Over the past two decades or so, this conundrum has led researchers around the world to search for natural methods of repelling ticks from property and people, and they’ve found some success. Before engaging in combat, you should “know your enemy,” according to the Chinese philosopher and military strategist Sun Tzu. This is particularly important when dealing with ticks, which have important habits and weaknesses that can be exploited.
Two of the most common ticks in the U.S. — the American dog tick and the blacklegged tick — search or “quest” for hosts by perching on vegetation and waiting for them to pass by.
They then snag the fur, hair or clothing of the animal (or person) with their front legs and climb aboard. “That’s what we call an ambush strategist,” said Kirby Stafford, chief scientist and state entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Ticks also use vegetation as protection from the sun, which can dry them out.
Blacklegged ticks, in particular, are susceptible to desiccation, Stafford said. For this reason, simply mowing your lawn can reduce the number .