The Effects of Mulching Leaves in Place on Tick Populations in Lawns and Parks

Abstract

In an effort to reduce costs on waste management, several municipalities in Westchester County are promoting efforts such as the “Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em” initiative, which encourages homeowners to mulch fall leaves in place. With this push to “leave them on the lawn”, questions have been raised about the effect this practice may have on tick habitat. Assessing tick populations on lawns will help determine if mulch mowing can affect tick populations and thus vector-borne disease incidence.