Be a perfectionist when it comes to woodpiles, and do the yard work that makes ticks uncomfortable.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—Ticks are nasty little critters. Not only is your blood their preferred food, in the process of sucking it they can transmit Lyme disease into your system. Infection can produce headache, fever, and other unpleasant symptoms. If not properly treated, Lyme can linger on for years with a wide range of side effects, from sore joints and memory problems to panic attacks and acid reflux, according to the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society. While some lawn-lovers turn to chemical interventions to keep ticks out of their yards, there are safer ways to make your property less appealing to those wee bloodsuckers. Here’s how.

# 1: Mow the lawn. Get rid of tall grass and brush, especially at the edge of your lawn, to eliminate ticks’ favorite hangout spots. Also clean up leaf litter. Instead of tossing grass clippings and leaves into the garbage, compost them and use the rich soil amendment in your garden. After they dry, grass clippings also make great mulch, keeping weeds from sprouting and helping the soil retain water.