The weather is getting warmer, the sun is shining brighter, and after being inside our homes for so long, our desire to go outside is stronger than ever. Although, keep in mind that we are not the only living things that are becoming more active because ticks are also making a grand reappearance this spring. However, there is no need to worry! The experts at East End Tick Control® are here to inform you of an unorthodox way to reduce the number of ticks on your property; by allowing an animal that is a natural predator to ticks to consume any ticks they encounter outside your home.
Natural Tick Predators
- Possums
- Ducks
- Squirrels
- Chickens
Possums are known to be experts at killing ticks. To be exact, WideOpenSpaces.com states that possums are capable of killing around 5,000 ticks in one season! Possums naturally pick up several ticks in their travels, and as they groom themselves, they swallow all the ticks they find.
Ducks naturally eat bugs, including ticks. As explained by FamilyFarmLivestock.com, what sets ducks apart from other birds is that they are comfortable exploring places that other birds won’t, such as wet and muddy areas. Therefore, ducks will cover more ground and potentially find more ticks to eat.
Squirrels effortlessly attract ticks because ticks feed on squirrels and can live in their fur. An advantage that squirrels have over other animals that eat ticks is that squirrels do not have to seek out the ticks they eat. Instead, BugLord.com explains that squirrels eat the ticks that are attempting to feed on them.
Chickens eat a variety of foods, including ticks. When chickens are allowed to roam freely, they will eat the ticks that they find in the grass. However, Sciencing.com warns chicken owners never to let their chickens roam in areas that have been treated with chemical pest control products because this can be fatal.
East End Tick Control® Keeps Ticks Away All Season
Ticks are at their most active between April and November, so it is crucial to have an effective tick control method. Though encouraging a possum to eat the ticks on your property may be effective, it is currently illegal to own such animals. For a long-term, practical solution, trust East End Tick Control® to protect you and your loved ones from ticks by regularly spraying your property during tick season. We use a variety of products including organic options that are not harmful to the environment. No matter where you are in Eastern Suffolk County, you can always email us. You can also call our Southampton office at (631) 287-9700, our East Hampton office at (631) 324-9700, or our Southold office at (631) 765-9700 to get started today. We look forward to hearing from you!
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