Burke Lake Park is easily the best part of living in our community. Between the beautiful five-mile trail, the fishing spots, and the frisbee golf course, it is the top place for fun in Burke, Virginia.
However, the same woods that make the park a local treasure also make it a primary home for ticks. These pests love the thick, green woods at the park. They are also experts at catching rides in our local neighborhoods.
Understanding how these bugs move from the park to your lawn is the first step to staying safe. If your yard has become a hotspot for these biters, getting professional pest control services in Burke can help create a strong barrier around your home.
How the Park Connects to Your Lawn
Many Burke neighborhoods sit right against the edges of Burke Lake Park. This close proximity creates a natural path for tick activity. Ticks do not fly or jump like other bugs. Instead, they wait for you to come to them.
The park has thousands of acres of deep forest and tall grass where they can breed. When you walk the trails, you are entering their territory. Even if you stay on the paved path, ticks wait at the very edge of the grass.
They use a move called “questing.” They hold onto a leaf with their back legs and reach out with their front legs. They grab onto your clothes or your skin as you brush by. This makes it very easy to bring ticks home after a simple walk by the water.
Animals Are Bringing the Park to You
You are not the only one visiting the lake. Local wildlife plays a huge role in moving ticks from the woods to your fence. Burke Lake Park is full of deer, squirrels, and mice. These animals do not care about property lines or fences.
A deer might eat near the park trails in the morning and wander through your backyard by sunset. As these animals move through your bushes, ticks fall off into your grass. Once they land in your yard, they hide in mulch or woodpiles to lay eggs.
This constant movement of animals means new ticks arrive in your yard every single day. Even if you keep your grass short, the neighborhood wildlife keeps the cycle going.
Keeping Your Family and Pets Safe
The big worry about ticks in Burke is not just that they are gross. They carry serious diseases like Lyme disease. This is a big concern for both people and our pets. Dogs are at high risk when they play in the yard or walk near the lake.
Ticks are tiny and very good at hiding under thick fur. Local vets see many cases of tick bites during the warm months because we live such active lives outside. You should check your kids and pets for ticks every time they come inside.
Keeping your bushes trimmed and clearing out dead leaves can also help. The less shade you have on the ground, the harder it is for ticks to live there.
Manage the Edge of Your Property
Living near a big wilderness area like Burke Lake Park takes a little extra work. You can protect your home by creating a “border” at the edge of your yard. Using a strip of dry wood chips or gravel can stop ticks from crawling into your play areas.
They do not like crossing hot, dry surfaces. It is also a good idea to keep swing sets and patio chairs away from the tall weeds at the edge of the woods. By making a few small changes, you can make your property much less inviting to pests.
If you are tired of worrying about ticks every time you step outside, experts like Green Pest Services can help. They can focus on keeping your yard safe so you can enjoy the outdoors without the stress of pests, so contact them today!
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