The “No Mow May” movement has grown in popularity over the past few years, with well-meaning homeowners embracing the idea of leaving their lawns untouched for the month in an effort to support early-season pollinators like bees. On the surface, this sounds like a great initiative for the environment. However, what many people don’t realize is that “No Mow May” can create serious unintended consequences, especially when it comes to your family’s health and safety.

At ohDEER, we’re all about protecting the environment. Our All-Natural solutions help keep families safe while minimizing harm to beneficial insects. But when it comes to letting grass and weeds grow unchecked in May, the risks can far outweigh the benefits. One of the biggest dangers? Ticks.

Here’s why “No Mow May” can be a bad idea, and how it can create a perfect storm for tick populations, putting your kids, pets, and even you at risk.

Tall Grass is a Tick’s Dream Home

Ticks thrive in tall grass, weeds, brush, and unkempt landscapes. Unlike bees and butterflies, ticks don’t need flowers; they need shady, moist environments to survive and quest for hosts.

When you leave your grass to grow wild during May:

You create the perfect habitat for ticks. Ticks wait in tall grass and low-lying vegetation, using a method called “questing“. They cling to blades of grass with their back legs and extend their front legs to grab onto passing hosts, like people, wild animals, and pets.
You increase moisture retention. Taller grass holds moisture better than short, trimmed grass. Ticks rely on moisture to stay alive; dry environments can kill them. Allowing your lawn to grow tall and thick gives ticks the perfect, humid environment they need to flourish. When you cut your grass short, it becomes too hot for ticks to hang out there.
You make your yard more dangerous. Once ticks are established in your yard, they’re very hard to get rid of. One month of neglect can create an infestation that lasts all summer long.

By participating in “No Mow May,” you could be unintentionally inviting ticks into your yard and closer to your family.

May is Peak Tick Season

Timing matters. May is not just the start of spring; it’s also the beginning of peak tick season. Deer ticks, also called black-legged ticks, which are responsible for transmitting Lyme disease and other serious illnesses, are particularly active in the spring.

During May:

Nymph ticks are abundant. Nymphs are the second stage of the tick life cycle and are about the size of a poppy seed, making them incredibly hard to spot. Despite their tiny size, nymphs can transmit Lyme disease to humans and animals.
More host animals are active. Mice, chipmunks, rabbits, deer, and other mammals that ticks feed on are more active in May. Taller grass offers them cover, making your yard even more appealing to both ticks and the animals that carry them.
Children and pets start playing outside more. Warmer weather draws families outdoors. Unfortunately, an overgrown yard increases the chance that your child or dog will brush up against a blade of grass harboring a tick, and get bitten.

Skipping lawn care during this critical month dramatically increases the risk of a tick encounter during a time when the stakes are highest.

Ticks Carry Dangerous Diseases

It’s not just the idea of ticks that should concern you, it’s what they carry. A single tick bite can transmit a number of serious diseases, including:

Lyme Disease: The most common tick-borne illness, Lyme disease can cause fatigue, joint pain, neurological issues, and heart problems if not treated promptly.
Anaplasmosis: Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches.
Babesiosis: This disease can cause flu-like symptoms and can be especially dangerous for people with compromised immune systems.
Powassan Virus: Though rare, Powassan virus can cause severe neurological damage and even death.

Children and pets are particularly vulnerable because they’re closer to the ground, more likely to play in grassy areas, and less likely to notice or communicate about a tick bite.

Overgrown Yards Hurt, Not Help, Pollinators

While the intention behind “No Mow May” is noble, it’s important to understand that tall grass doesn’t actually do much to support the pollinators we want to help. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects rely on specific types of flowering plants, not just any weeds or grass.

Dandelions and other common weeds are not sufficient. While some pollinators will visit dandelions, they are not the preferred or most nutritious food source.
Native plants are better. Planting native wildflowers, maintaining pollinator gardens, and reducing pesticide use are far more effective ways to help pollinators thrive than simply letting your lawn grow unchecked.
Tall grass can be harmful. Invasive weeds that thrive in tall grass can choke out native plants, making your yard less hospitable for the beneficial species you’re trying to support.

If your goal is to help pollinators, there are better ways to do it, ways that don’t increase the risk to your family.

A Better Solution: Mindful Yard Care and Natural Tick Control

You don’t have to choose between supporting the environment and keeping your family safe. Here’s how you can do both:

Keep grass trimmed. Mowing your lawn regularly, ideally keeping it under 4 inches, helps create a less hospitable environment for ticks without harming pollinators.
Plant pollinator gardens. Set aside dedicated areas with native, flowering plants that bloom early in the season. These gardens support bees and butterflies without encouraging tick infestations.
Use all-natural tick control. At ohDEER, we offer all-natural tick control solutions that are safe for kids, pets, and the environment. Our treatments help reduce tick populations dramatically without the use of harmful chemicals.
Create a tick-safe zone. Maintain a 3-foot wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas, and place play equipment away from shrubs and tall grasses.
Protect pets with vet-recommended tick preventatives. Pets that spend time outdoors should be protected year-round to minimize the chance of bringing ticks inside.

Your Family’s Safety Comes First

While it’s admirable to want to help the environment, your family’s health and safety should always come first. Participating in “No Mow May” might feel like a small, positive action, but it can have serious consequences that last far beyond the month of May.

At ohDEER, we’re here to help you strike the right balance, supporting nature while protecting your loved ones from the very real dangers of ticks.

If you want to learn more about safe, all-natural tick control options for your yard, contact us today for a free consultation. Together, we can create a safer, healthier outdoor space for your family to enjoy all season long.