LifestyleTicks in the garden: Why you should welcome their natural predators

Ticks in the garden: Why you should welcome their natural predators

Ticks have their natural enemies, which are better not chased away from the garden.
Ticks have their natural enemies, which are better not chased away from the garden.
Images source: © Getty Images
Aleksandra Lewandowska

13 July 2024 17:31

Ticks have their natural enemies, which you are better off not driving out of your garden. To get rid of these arachnids, you need to know what animals feed on them. Thanks to these animals, you will feel much safer.

Ticks are most active during the spring and summer seasons. Their bites can transmit dangerous diseases, such as Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis. Therefore, it is worth being cautious and thoroughly inspecting your body after returning from green areas. If we have a garden, let's not shoo away these animals. Thanks to them, there will be fewer ticks, and we will feel safer.

What animals feed on ticks?

Even though we run away from ticks, some animals run to them. These animals feast on these arachnids, removing them from our area. What are these animals?

The natural enemies of ticks, which reduce their population, are primarily birds such as sparrows and tits, which often peck them out of grasses. Additionally, small mammals - rats, mice, or shrews - find ticks to be a tasty delicacy.

It is also worth remembering that ants, which we dislike, also feed on ticks. We should choose wisely if we want to eliminate ants from our garden. Ants, unfortunately, and fortunately, do more good than harm compared to ticks. Out of the two evils, they are the more pleasant neighbours.

Ticks transmit dangerous diseases

Ticks are especially dangerous to humans due to the diseases they carry. Even with a light bite, changes often appear on the skin, which is allergic, purulent, and swollen. In such cases, a doctor should be contacted.

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