As tick season peaks across eastern Australia, so too do warnings from health authorities urging people to be prepared.
Health Direct, the government-funded health advice service, is sharing a timely reminder to be on the lookout for ticks.
“Summer = tick season,” the post begins. “Most bites usually only cause pain, redness and inflammation. But if the tick is still stuck, or you start getting headaches, blurred vision, fatigue or weakness, see your GP,” they write.
Adding: “Check your skin and scalp after spending time in long grass or bushland. You can also reduce your risk by wearing long sleeves and using insect repellent.”
In Australia, ticks live in bushy coastal areas, scrubland, tall grass, and eucalyptus forests along the eastern seaboard, with the paralysis tick particularly common in humid regions from North Queensland down to Victoria, especially within 20 kilometres of the coast.
Where ticks are hiding in your backyard
While it’s important to check yourself after being in the bush, ticks can also be found closer to home, like in your backyard. Here’s where they’re hiding.
1. Long grass and unmowed lawn areas
Grass over 10cm provides the perfect height for ticks to reach your legs or pets, which is why keeping your lawn mowed short is one of the most effective prevention strategies.
2. Leaf litter and mulch
Leaves and organic mulch create the ideal microclimate for ticks – dark, moist, and protected from hot weather. The humidity trapped beneath leaf litter prevents ticks from drying out and attracts the small mammals they feed on in their earlier life stages.
3. Dense shrubs and bushes
Thick, bushy plants are the perfect height, offering ticks plenty of opportunities to jump onto you or your pets.
4. Edges of bushland or scrub
This boundary is one of the highest-risk areas, as wildlife such as possums, wallabies and neighbourhood cats use these edges to travel between food sources and shelter, dropping ticks along the way.
5. Shaded areas under trees
These spots maintain higher humidity levels throughout the day, even in hot weather, providing ticks with the moisture they need to survive while waiting for a host.
6. Garden beds with ground cover
Low-growing, dense ground covers create thick mats that trap moisture and provide countless hiding spots at exactly the level where you’re kneeling and weeding.
7. Around fence lines
Fence lines are one of the most overlooked tick hotspots because wildlife use them as highways, travelling along them at night and depositing ticks as they go.
8. Compost heaps and wood piles
These structures generate heat and moisture while attracting the small animals and insects that ticks feed on. Both maintain consistent humidity and protect ticks from the weather while you’re reaching in to turn compost or grab firewood.
9. Between pavers and in cracks
The gaps between pavers and stepping stones trap moisture and organic debris, creating miniature ecosystems where vegetation sprouts just tall enough for ticks to jump from.
Understanding tick behaviour
Now that you know where ticks are hiding, here’s how they actually hunt.
It turns out they don’t jump, fly, or drop from trees as many people believe – instead, ticks use a hunting technique called “questing.”
They climb to the tips of grass blades, leaves, or low plants and wait with their front legs extended, ready to grab onto anything that brushes past, whether it’s a human, pet, or wildlife.
This patient ambush strategy means ticks can wait for days or even weeks in the same spot until a host comes within reach.
What is the fastest way to get rid of ticks in your backyard?
If you’re dealing with a tick infestation in your yard, the quickest control method combines immediate chemical treatment (permethrin-based sprays for fast knockdown) with longer-term environmental management, such as keeping grass short, clearing leaf litter, and creating barrier zones with wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas.
For severe infestations, professional pest control can treat large areas quickly and effectively.
How to make your garden less tick-friendly
- Keep lawns mowed short (under 10cm)
- Clear leaf litter regularly
- Create a barrier between the bush and the lawn
- Trim vegetation along fence lines
- Remove ground cover in high-traffic areas
- Consider tick-deterrent plants [if research supports this]
- Regular garden maintenance schedule
What to do when you find a tick
If you do find yourself in the company of a tick, don’t try and yank it out with some tweezers.
Queensland Health advises that you should kill the tick first, while it is still embedded in your skin. This is particularly important in Australia, where the paralysis tick can cause severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, when disturbed.
To kill the tick, use an ether-containing spray, such as Wart-Off Freeze or Elastoplast Cold Spray. Give it a second spray after a minute, then allow the tick to drop off naturally after around 24 hours.
Showering within two hours of being outdoors can help wash off unattached ticks, but it won’t remove ticks that have already latched onto your skin. Once attached, they need to be physically removed with tweezers, as water pressure isn’t strong enough to dislodge their barbed mouthparts.
Protecting your pets from ticks
Unlike humans, pets rarely develop allergic reactions to tick bites, so the removal approach is different.
For dogs and cats, the primary concern is tick paralysis from prolonged attachment, making quick removal the priority.
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool to grasp the tick as close to your pet’s skin as possible, then pull straight upward with steady, even pressure without twisting.
Don’t use ether sprays or other chemicals on pets, as these products aren’t designed for animal use and can be harmful.
After removal, monitor your pet closely for signs of tick paralysis, which can include weakness in the hind legs, difficulty breathing, or changes in bark or meow.
If you notice any concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. Regular tick prevention treatments are also recommended – speak to your vet about suitable products for your pet, especially during tick season.
Signs of tick paralysis in pets:
- Weakness in the hind legs
- Difficulty breathing
- Changes in bark/meow
- When to contact the vet immediately
Prevention:
- Regular tick prevention treatments
- Speak to the vet about suitable products
- Daily checks during tick season
How to protect yourself from ticks
When gardening or in tick-prone areas:
- Wear long sleeves, long trousers, and tuck your clothing in
- Choose light-coloured clothing
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat
- Use DEET repellent (specific brands)
- Permethrin-treated clothing for regular gardening
- Brush clothing before entering the home
After outdoor activities:
- Daily body checks
- Focus areas: hairline, neck, scalp, behind ears, armpits, groin, skin folds
- Check children thoroughly
- Include pets in daily checks
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