June is National Mosquito Control Awareness Month, which makes now a great time to look at your yard the way mosquitoes and ticks do: as prime real estate.
Here in New England, warm weather brings more time on the deck, in the garden and around the fire pit. Unfortunately, it also brings the tiny outdoor party crashers that can make your backyard feel less like a retreat and more like a buffet. The good news? A few smart habits, paired with professional mosquito and tick prevention, can help make your outdoor space less inviting to the bloodthirsty uninvited.
At a Glance
- Mosquitoes and ticks are best managed with a layered approach: yard maintenance, bite prevention and professional service.
- Mosquitoes need water to breed, so weekly “dump and drain” checks can make a real difference.
- Ticks like tall grass, leaf litter and brushy edges, so focus on the border zones around your yard.
- Braman’s MultiPest+ Plan can be bundled with mosquito and tick protection for more complete year-round pest prevention.
Start with Water
Mosquitoes do not need a pond or swamp to multiply. Small amounts of standing water can be enough. Once a week, take a lap around your yard and empty anything that collects water, including flowerpot saucers, buckets, toys, birdbaths, tarps, wheelbarrows and clogged gutters.
We like to think of it as a backyard reset. Dump it, drain it, flip it or cover it. Your future self, sitting outside without the constant arm-slap routine, will thank you.
Tidy Up Tick Habitat
Ticks are not usually hanging out in the middle of a sunny, freshly mowed lawn. They prefer shaded, damp areas with tall grass, leaves and brush. Keep grass cut short, clear leaf litter, trim back overgrown vegetation and move woodpiles away from high-use areas.
Pay extra attention to yard edges, fence lines, wooded borders and spots where pets or children play. These transition zones are often where people and ticks are most likely to cross paths.
Protect People and Pets
When you are spending time outside, wear light-colored clothing, use an EPA-registered repellent as directed and check yourself, kids and pets after coming indoors. Ticks can hitchhike on clothing or pets before attaching later, so a quick check after yardwork, hiking or playtime is a smart habit.
For mosquitoes, repairing window and door screens also helps keep the outside where it belongs.
Why Professional Prevention Helps
DIY habits are important, but they are only one layer of protection. Our trained technicians can inspect your property, identify conditions that may support mosquito and tick activity and recommend a targeted prevention plan.
With Braman’s MultiPest+ Plan, homeowners can bundle year-round pest prevention with mosquito and tick protection. That means seasonal service for 20 common pests, plus added help for two of summer’s most frustrating outdoor pests.
Ready to take back your backyard? Talk to us today.