Pesticides and Tick Control
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     The decision to use pesticides on your property is up to each individual homeowner.

     Although pesticides are considered to be one of the most effective ways to reduce ticks on residential property, not all pesticides are 100% safe.

     All pesticides sold must be registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the appropriate state pesticide agencies.

     The toxicity and environmental impact of chemicals used for tick control differ in their toxicity to humans, wildlife, aquatic organisms and beneficial insects.

Selecting a Tick Control Service

     Get at least 3 estimates.

     The firm must be registered with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) 
Pesticide Program.

     Ask the DEP if  any complaints or violations have been filed against the firm

     Individuals employed by the firm need to be licensed to spray for ticks. Ask to see the license.

     Ask the firm for a certificate of insurance (liability)

     Ask for references

Questions To Ask the Applicator

     Will signs be posted around the property after the application?

     Will the equipment used be safe and up-to-date?

     Will a written pest control plan be provided?

     Will the plan state exactly which pesticides will be used?

     Will information be supplied about various non- chemical  landscaping techniques?

When and Where Should Pesticide 
Sprays Be Used?

     In Connecticut , spraying once in May or early June is recommended. An application in October may be used to control the adult stage of the tick.

     Identify the area of the yard that the family uses for storage, working, playing, eating and gardening. Focus spraying on the perimeter of these areas.

     Spray the perimeter of the property where the lawn meets the wooded or brushy edge.

     There is no need to spray trees or the sunny areas of the yard.

Learn More About Pesticides!

        Specific information and reference articles on the use of pesticides for tick control can be found in the Tick Management Handbook.

     Call the National Pesticide Information Center at
1-800-858-7378 (6:30 am – 4:30 am, Mon. – Fri.)

     Visit the National Library of Medicine’s website, http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov

     Read Pest Control for Home and Garden by Michael Hansen and the editors of Consumer Reports.

     Get tips on hiring an applicator from the EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety www.epa.gov

Landscape Modifications To Be Used In Conjunction With Pesticide Control

     Create a three foot wide woodchip or gravel barrier between the lawn and the woodland edge.

     Trim tree branches around lawn edges to let in sunlight.

     Remove leaf litter, brush, and weeds at the edge of the lawn, around stone walls, and around woodpiles.

     Move firewood piles and bird feeders away from the home.

     Restrict the use of groundcover, such as pachysandra in areas of the yard that the family uses.