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    How to Control Mosquitoes and Ticks in Your Yard

    These anti-pest tips can help protect your health

    Blurred photo of group of people at picnic table in backyard Photo: Getty Images

    Ticks love tall grass and cool, damp areas. On the "Consumer 101" TV show, Consumer Reports expert Catherine Roberts explains how to make your yard less inviting to these pests.

    more on ticks & mosquitoes

     More people are becoming ill with diseases carried by ticks and mosquitoes, biting pests that arrive with warmer weather.

    The annual number of these infections, such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus, reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more than tripled between 2004 and 2016 in the U.S. But before you spray your yard with pesticides, opt for effective yet less drastic methods. Here are some of the best ways to thwart the bugs.

    To see our tips, hover your cursor over the gray circles in each area of the yard illustration below.

    Click dots to learn more.

    Illustration: Chris Philpot

    Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the May 2019 issue of Consumer Reports On Health.


    Joan Muratore

    As a test program leader, I lead CR's testing of insect repellents and a variety of other products, including flooring, water filters, and strollers. It keeps me on my toes!