Found this and thought it might be helpful.
Ticks are most commonly found in warmer months, but they become active in early spring when the weather is still cool. Ticks depend on man and animals for transportation and for food. The tick will attach itself to any passing mammal. After a meal (yes, of blood), the female tick will release her hold, drop to the ground and lay eggs. To continue the life cycle ticks need humidity and shade. They prefer habitats of leaves, groundcover, weeds and shady areas near woods and walls. A homeowner cannot reasonably redo their landscape to make it completely tick-proof, but there are some things you can do:
Create a "buffer" zone around your lawn and garden, especially if you are near a wooded area. An area at least three feet wide should be between your lawn and the wooded area. Fill the area with a band of bark or stone mulch.
Increase the amount of sunlight that reaches the property. Ticks do not survive long in the bright sunshine.
Keep the area weed free and keep grass mowed at its proper height.
Use plants that do not attract deer.
Examine yourself, your children and your pets after venturing into the yard.
Any time you use pesticides, make sure you choose the right one and use it safely and properly.
Observe overall pest management practices.
A tick's mouthparts are barbed and attach securely to its host. Should you find a tick embedded in your skin, carefully pull it out with tweezers. Get as near the mouth part as possible and take care not to squeeze it. Make sure you remove the entire tick. Disinfect the area.
Read more about dealing with ticks at the US Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...ickSeason.html