Factors affecting backyard tick control - what pest management professionals have to consider

Ticks appear to have an increased presence in media particularly around Lyme disease. Given the increased awareness it is natural for a pest control company to consider offering an outdoor tick service particularly for residential customers. It may sound simple- read a label, confirm the pest and site, and offer a new service but it is more complicated than just the label. Ticks like mosquitos are considered a public health pest not a structural pest. This means that state licensing and lawn posting requirements need to be reviewed. There are many misconceptions about ticks in a yard including where they are located and how they get into the yard. Educating the customer is not just about the ticks but also about the customer actions including yard maintenance and protecting themselves and other family members including pets that go outdoors. This talk will discuss factors affecting backyard tick control including animal movement, licensing, customer actions, and others.