try spreading some tick graduals (ortho I think) and your yard every 4-6 weeks. We did that in the country. Seemed to work fair. still see a few but not every day. we had those seed ticks really bad one year.
Someone else might have a better idea.
Bonnie

wpooh, hope someone knows about the forest service helping out, tho i doubt that they will help, Their funds have been cut drastically.
Like you i live out in the forest and i guess with all the rains the ticks are really bad this year. Found 3 ticks on me this evening. Guess i'll have to start using Off. I've too much land to use chemicals, also hate to use the stuff. Appreciate the idea tho Bonnie.
Vickie

sorry guess I didn't word that right. We used it in the yard not every where. I don't love chems eather, but ticks make one awful bite on me. so I'll take my chances w/putting the chems on my yard area. Sorry.
Bonnie

So far, I am not having a problem here in Missouri. Hope it stays that way!

We rarely find a tick just going out into our yard but we're mostly surrounded by hay fields. If I work along the edge of the field where there's brush, I have to use Off. My daughter went to a friend's house down the road and came home with several ticks attached. They have a wooded area surrounding their yard like you do and have their yard treated occasionally. I don't know how often they have it done but apparently not enough.
I wouldn't want to use chemicals myself if there were another option.
I've heard of some people getting guineas to eat the ticks but I don't know how well it would work or how much trouble it would be. I guess you would let them out during the day and shut them up at night like you do with chickens.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardenweb search on guineas and ticks

Guineas would work well if they don't get eaten by dogs/cayotes/etc. They eat ticks all day long and roost in trees at night. They can make an awful racket though. Some people say they make good watchdogs (watchfowl). I'd love to hear if anybody has any experience with them.

Bonnie, hope i did'nt offend you. I did'nt mean anything ugly. Am famous for opening mouth and inserting foot. LOL :^(
vickie