Simple towel trick reveals tick threat in your backyard

Contrary to common belief, ticks aren't confined to forests or parks; their presence is equally evident in gardens. Importantly, ticks remain active even during the winter months. While they may appear harmless, the repercussions of their bites, including Lyme disease, babesiosis, or tick-borne encephalitis, can be grave.

These discreet creatures favour grassy areas, lower trees, and shrubbery, making gardens a prime habitat. If you have a garden and are concerned about ticks, a simple test using a white terrycloth towel can offer peace of mind. Ticks are attracted to the towel's microfibers.

Conducting this test requires no special expertise. Wrap a white towel around a mop handle and lightly drag it across the ground and over the branches of trees and shrubs. Finding ticks on the towel indicates their presence in your garden, signalling it's time to consider tick prevention measures.

Ticks have a keen sense of smell, enabling them to detect humans from afar. However, they are deterred by certain smells, which can be used to repel them effectively.

Plants such as tansy, lavender, catnip, or rosemary emit scents particularly unpleasant to ticks. Incorporating these plants into your garden can serve as a natural deterrent. Similarly, sprays made from clove, peppermint, or lavender oil can be beneficial. It's recommended to apply these repellents to the garden's greenery and clothing for maximum protection against ticks.