There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sunshine on your skin and the smell of fresh grass. However, amid the allure of nature, there’s an unseen enemy waiting to hitch a ride on you: ticks.
These pesky parasites are not just an itchy annoyance but can also transmit serious infections like Lyme disease. One way to mitigate the risk is to know which plants and trees are likely to attract ticks.
1. Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Japanese Barberry is a popular ornamental shrub known for its beautiful foliage and ease of care. However, it is also a notorious tick magnet. This plant creates a humid environment close to the ground, which ticks love.
Studies have shown that areas with dense barberry growth can harbor higher tick populations compared to areas without it. (ref)
Ticks find shelter in the thick, thorny branches of the Japanese Barberry, where they wait for a passing host. The plant’s dense foliage provides an ideal microclimate for ticks to thrive, offering protection from predators and harsh weather conditions.
2. Wild Grape (Vitis spp.)
Wild Grape vines are often found in forests and along roadsides, creating a lush green canopy. Unfortunately, these vines can be a haven for ticks. The vines provide cover and moisture, essential for tick survival. They also attract wildlife like deer and rodents, which are common tick hosts.
The intertwined vines and leaves offer a perfect hiding spot for ticks, which can then latch onto animals and humans passing through. If you’re hiking in areas with abundant wild grapevines, it’s important to stay on well-cleared paths to minimize the risk of tick exposure.
3. Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
Honeysuckle is known for its sweet fragrance and beautiful flowers, but it’s also known to attract ticks. These climbing plants provide an ideal habitat for ticks by creating dense, shady thickets. Ticks thrive in these conditions, making honeysuckle-covered areas particularly risky.
The presence of honeysuckle can also attract tick-carrying wildlife, further increasing the likelihood of encountering ticks. While honeysuckle is a lovely addition to any garden, it’s important to manage its growth to prevent it from becoming a tick hotspot.
4. Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
Autumn Olive is an invasive shrub that has spread widely across many parts of the United States. While it is valued for its hardiness and ability to improve soil quality, it’s also a magnet for ticks. The dense, bushy growth creates a humid microclimate perfect for tick survival.
Ticks find refuge in the thick foliage, and the plant’s berries attract birds and other wildlife that can carry ticks. Managing Autumn Olive in your yard can be challenging due to its invasive nature, but regular trimming and monitoring can help keep tick populations in check.
5. Tall Grasses
Tall grasses are a common sight in meadows and along roadsides, but they are also prime real estate for ticks. Ticks climb to the tops of tall grass blades, waiting for a host to brush by. These grasses provide the moisture and cover ticks need to survive and reproduce.
Walking through tall grass can significantly increase your risk of picking up ticks, so sticking to mowed paths and avoiding overgrown areas is a good strategy to minimize exposure. If tall grasses are a feature of your property, regular mowing can help reduce tick habitat.
6. Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus)
Blackberry bushes are loved for their delicious fruit, but they can also be a haven for ticks. The dense thickets and thorny branches create an ideal environment for ticks to hide and thrive. Wildlife that feeds on the berries, such as birds and small mammals, can also bring ticks into the area.
When picking blackberries, it’s essential to be vigilant about checking for ticks. Wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent can help reduce the risk of tick bites in these areas. Regular pruning and management of blackberry bushes can also help keep tick populations under control.
7. Leaf Litter & Underbrush
Leaf litter and underbrush in wooded areas are prime habitats for ticks. The decaying leaves and organic matter provide moisture and protection, making it an ideal environment for ticks to thrive. Ticks can easily latch onto animals and humans passing through these areas.
To reduce the risk of ticks, it’s crucial to keep your yard clean and free of excessive leaf litter and underbrush. Regularly raking and clearing these areas can help disrupt tick habitats and lower the chances of encountering ticks.
8. Oak Trees (Quercus spp.)
Oak trees are majestic and provide excellent shade, but they can also attract ticks. Ticks are commonly found in oak forests because of the dense leaf litter and the presence of acorns, which attract rodents and deer. These animals are common hosts for ticks, increasing the likelihood of tick presence.
If you have oak trees on your property, it’s essential to manage the leaf litter and be vigilant about tick checks, especially during peak tick season. Regular yard maintenance can help minimize tick habitat around these trees.
9. Juniper (Juniperus spp.)
Juniper shrubs and trees are popular for their hardiness and aesthetic appeal, but they can also attract ticks. The dense, evergreen foliage provides a perfect environment for ticks to hide and find hosts, and ticks can thrive in the moist and shaded conditions created by junipers.
Proper pruning and maintenance of juniper plants can help reduce the risk of ticks. Keeping the area around juniper plants clear and dry can also make it less attractive to ticks.
10. Dogwood (Cornus spp.)
Dogwood trees and shrubs are known for their beautiful flowers and berries, but they can also harbor ticks. The thick, leafy canopy and the presence of wildlife attracted to dogwood berries create an ideal habitat for ticks.
If you have dogwood plants in your yard, regular maintenance and wildlife management can help keep tick populations in check. Being aware of the potential for ticks in these areas can help you take preventive measures to avoid tick bites.
Knowing which plants and trees attract ticks can help you make informed decisions about your garden and outdoor activities. By managing these green tick magnets and taking preventive measures, you can reduce the risk of tick bites and enjoy the great outdoors safely.
Read Next:
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.