Shading

Ticks cannot survive in especially hot or dry areas, which is why they tend to favor long grasses, where they can stay hidden in the shadows of the grass. They also take cover under bushy shrubs. To kill ticks, mow your grass as low as you can -- 3 inches or less -- and trim back overhanging shrubs. This will expose the soil to intense sunlight, increasing the heat and drying out the grass to kill ticks. Your lawn may suffer a little, but it will be safer.

Moisture

There are other factors that contribute to moisture in your lawn, providing safe havens for ticks. Obviously, watering your lawn keeps it moist, so cut down on watering. In high summer most lawns need to be mowed once or twice a week -- cut that down to once every two weeks. This will dry out your grass, but combined with the extra sunlight, the ticks will have nowhere to go. Mulching also increases moisture in your lawn and garden, which is why many homeowners use it to prevent their plants from drying out. Refrain from mulching so that the ticks have no moist haven to hide.

Prevention

Ticks like to hide in debris around your home, from wood piles to compost mounds to fallen leaf litter. Keeping your lawn generally cleaned up will help eliminate ticks. Rake your yard every time you mow and dispose of the debris in lawn bags to prevent the ticks from infesting grass clippings and leaves. Keep birdbaths, bird feeders and wood piles as far away from your home as possible and in an area where kids and pets don't normally play. If you get deer, racoons or other wildlife in your backyard, consider building a fence to keep them out -- they carry ticks with them and may be the source of your infestation.

Pesticides

Use tick-prevention pesticides anytime you go outside if you fear you have ticks. Spray your shoes, pant legs and any exposed skin with anti-tick products to prevent them from jumping on you. However, when it comes to treating your entire yard for ticks, most of the products that will be effective are available only to professional exterminators. If all your efforts fail to help kill the ticks, contact a professional before someone gets sick.