Preventing Lyme Disease: Essential Tick Control Tips

• Preventing Lyme disease starts with reducing exposure to infected ticks.
• Wear long sleeves and pants in wooded or brush-filled areas.
• Use DEET-based repellent to help reduce the risk of tick bites.
• Check for ticks daily after spending time outdoors.
• Mow grass and remove yard debris to reduce tick hiding spots.
• Remove attached ticks quickly because transmission risk rises over time.

When the weather warms up, most of us want to get outside and enjoy it. Unfortunately, ticks feel the same way. With peak activity running from April through September, this is the time of year when understanding how ticks behave becomes especially important. Preventing Lyme disease starts with simple steps you can take at home, on the trail and right in your own backyard.

Whether you love gardening, hosting backyard barbecues or just relaxing outdoors, a few smart habits can go a long way. When you want added confidence, TruGreen is here to support healthier, more enjoyable outdoor spaces. 

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It can only spread to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. These ticks don’t jump or fly. Instead, they wait on tall grass or brush and attack when people or pets pass by. It only takes one unnoticed bite to create an issue, which is why prevention matters so much.

Ticks prefer damp, shaded environments. If your property backs onto woods or natural areas, or if you enjoy hiking in tall grass, your risk may be higher. Removing an attached tick quickly is one of the most effective steps in preventing Lyme disease, since transmission increases the longer a tick stays attached. 

Even if you do everything right, tick bites can still happen. Some redness around the bite is normal, so don’t panic if you see minor irritation. What you want to watch closely are the symptoms that can appear days later.

Common Early Symptoms Include

• An expanding rash called erythema migrans.
• A noticeable “bullseye” pattern.
• Fever, chills and headache.
• Fatigue.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Swollen lymph nodes.

Most symptoms appear 3 to 30 days after the bite, but the earlier you spot potential signs, the better. If you notice symptoms or suspect a tick bite, contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Diagnosis typically involves reviewing your symptoms and, if needed, completing a two-step blood test recommended by the CDC.

Early treatment is usually very effective, which makes early recognition key. 

Even if you stay on top of yard care, ticks can still find their way in. The CDC recommends professional support in areas with high tick activity because trained specialists can identify where ticks are likely living and apply treatments designed for long-term reduction.

That’s where TruGreen comes in. 

DIY steps are helpful, but for families who spend a lot of time outside, consistent professional treatments create a stronger barrier of protection.

TruGreen Flea, Tick and Outdoor Nuisance Pest Control is designed to help reduce active populations of ticks, fleas, chiggers, earwigs, spiders and other outdoor pests. Treatments are targeted, seasonally timed and applied by technicians who understand the local conditions in your area. 

Can You Prevent Lyme Disease Completely?

There’s no guaranteed way to eliminate risk, but combining personal protection, smart yard habits and professional pest control greatly reduces your chances.

What Is the Best Way to Avoid Tick Bites?

Use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, check for ticks daily and keep your yard maintained. Professional lawn care services add another layer of protection.

Where Are Ticks Most Common?

Ticks are found throughout the United States, but are highly prevalent in the South and Southeast. They also thrive in humid, wooded regions and grassy or brush-filled areas, including parts of the Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest.

How Do I Safely Remove a Tick?

Use fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward steadily. Clean the area with soap and water after removing the tick.

Take the worry out of tick season. Contact TruGreen and get expert protection for your yard today.