09/01/2026
Here is something worth knowing about ticks: they do not jump or fly. They climb to the tip of a blade of grass or a piece of brush and wait for a host to brush past, a behavior called questing. That means the single highest-risk zone in most Finger Lakes yards is the boundary where your mowed lawn meets a wood line, stone wall, or overgrown fence row. Properties that border woods, fields, or farmland, common around Victor, Geneva, and the rural edges of the region, carry the heaviest tick burden. A simple fix helps a lot: create a buffer of wood chips or gravel between the lawn and any woods to discourage ticks from migrating in. More on protecting that edge here.
Cut mosquitoes and ticks in your Finger Lakes backyard this summer. Learn what works, what does not, and when to call Optimum Pest Pros.