Today we are talking about some parasites, the ones that can cause some of the nastiest sicknesses you may ever encounter if you get bitten or infected by them. Most specifically, we are talking about ticks, those eight-legged things that suck blood just like vampires. And while you may think that a human can’t get that sick with a bite from such a tiny creature, think again! The ticks are responsible for some illnesses like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and tularemia that, in some cases, can be life-threatening. At this point, you might be wondering – are there any plants that attract ticks that I should be particularly cautious about?
Outdoors, it is quite normal to see these little animals crawling over some surfaces and weeds, which may be the main reason why some people ask which are the plants that attract ticks. We may be tackling this answer the other way around, by looking for the ones that could deter ticks from appearing and attacking in the first place.
Are there any plants that lure ticks to appear?
We may understand why so many people think that ticks are attracted to plants and even ask if any plants that attract ticks. It is fairly understandable just because these little creatures can cause some very worrying issues to animals we have around, and to us because we are mammals as well.
The truth of the matter is, there is no such thing as any plants that lure ticks to appear in the first place. The thing that may make people think they do exist is the fact that is in the ticks’ behavior to crawl on tall grass, other plants, or surfaces that match the height of a certain target, to then transfer into those unsuspecting victims.
And note that we are saying “transfer” instead of “jump” or “fly”. Ticks cannot jump or fly from said surfaces to get over their targets. They are opportunistic, just like most parasitic creatures are. They would expect a victim to just fall over them while being supported by some of their legs from the surface. It is quite an ingenious way to do it, and it works most of the time.
Brushing some bushes and other plants when you are trekking out is one way to get these creatures to crawl over you, so remember to keep walking in the middle of the trail. They would not waste the opportunity to get stuck into your clothes, shoes, or even your skin so, watch yourself after coming home.
How to avoid ticks in the garden?
After already figured out that there is no such thing as plants that attract ticks, you may be wondering what you can do to deter these parasites from appearing in your life. How to avoid ticks in the garden?
According to a reputable source like the CDC in the United States, you are better off with a clean environment for your garden. Having many fallen leaves, dry bushes, tall weeds, and some other things that may indicate some level of neglect, would be amazing places where ticks may appear.
Having any barriers that deter any wild animal to come into your yard is a must. You do not know where they have been, or if they carry any diseases or parasites on them. They may look cute like a deer or a bunny, but be careful. If they carry something like ticks, it would be fairly easy to create an infestation that can push forward to your pets, your beloved ones, or even you. Scary stuff!
Finally, good old fumigation and pest control services. You may ask for some of the services they offer, including preparing your home and garden to avoid things like ticks, fleas, and other harmful animals that may be walking around these places.
What plants can deter ticks?
While we may not be able to answer what are the plants that attract ticks, we can turn it around and ask: What plants can deter ticks? And, before you ask, there are way more plants than you may think which features are not nice for ticks.
You may have read some of these names before in the previous articles about the plants that deter ants. Unsurprisingly, having plants with a strong scent like lavender, citronella, and garlic, apart from spooking ants and flies, can do the same to ticks and fleas.
Remember that we are similar to some animals in the world, but some have way better senses than we may ever dream of having. In this case, ticks have a superb sense of smell that allows them to detect when you or your dog entered its territory.
This is fairly useful for an animal that is blind, and just like many other examples in nature where a sense may be weaker, the others enhance by a lot. Ticks may sense the humidity of a body approaching, which can make them prepare for an attack. It is, after all, survival even by doing it in a nasty way in which we may not even notice they are there.
Conclusion
Finally, we need to wrap things up about the plants that attract ticks by saying that they are not any of those. There are, however, the kind of plants that would just make ticks run and avoid you.
Plants with a strong smell like lavender or garlic would be hard on the senses of many insects and parasites like ticks and fleas. You could use some of them to deter these creatures from entering your home or even climbing on to you.
However, you should always be prepared when going outside to the wild for a walk. Trekking outside of the designated route, apart from risky, can give you some unwanted guests in return. Guests may trigger some bad illnesses and diseases you may want to avoid.
As always, speak with your doctor and stay informed with your local health authorities. They know way more than we do and it is their recommendations that helped us to make this article. Stay safe!
