Maintenance of your home landscape is an important step in creating tick safe zones.

• Reduce leaf litter, brush and weeds at the edge of the lawn.
• Keep grass cut on the short side.
• Restrict use of groundcover, such as pachysandra.
• Remove brush and leaves around stone walls and wood piles.
• Seal stone walls that could be nesting sites for mice.
• Seal small opening around the home that could be entrances for mice.
• Rake up leaves in the fall and during the year as needed.
• Keep brush piles out of the tick safe zone.
• Use wood chips to help keep the buffer zone free of plants.
• Trim tree branches around lawn edge to let in more sunlight.