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Want to get rid of ticks in your backyard without resorting to chemicals? Here are some natural and eco-friendly ways to keep your property tick-free this season.
5 Natural Tick Remedies for Your Yard
Cedar Oil
Cedar oil kills and repels ticks by causing dehydration, inhibiting breathing, disrupting pheromones, and emulsifying body fats.
You can find cedar oil spray at most garden stores, or you can also make it yourself. In a spray bottle, mix 1–2 teaspoons of cedarwood essential oil with 1 cup of water. Apply the mixture around the perimeter of your property every few weeks (or as needed) to keep ticks at bay.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is another effective natural insecticide. When ingested, neem oil causes ticks to lose their appetite, become infertile, and starve to death. When applied directly to a tick’s body, neem oil clogs the tick’s airways and causes suffocation.
To protect your yard from ticks, add 2 teaspoons of neem oil to 4 cups of water in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture on the ground, especially in shady areas with lot of grass and weeds.
Garlic Oil
Garlic oil works as a tick repellant because of its pungent odor, which discourages ticks from feeding and laying eggs.
To make garlic spray at home, finely mince 2–4 bulbs of garlic and let it soak overnight in 1 cup of water. The next day, add the mixture to a spray bottle and apply it around your yard or lawn.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is another essential oil with a strong scent that can be used to repel ticks.
In a spray bottle, mix 8 drops of peppermint oil with 1 cup of water. Spray the mixture around the perimeter of your yard and in areas where ticks are active. Reapply it when the scent starts to fade, which is typically around 1–2 weeks.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally-occurring substance made from sharp, microscopic fossils of marine algae. This abrasive powder can be used to kill a variety of pests, including ticks, by destroying the waxy outer layer of their exoskeletons, causing them to dry out and die from dehydration.
You can sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your home and yard to keep ticks out. Make a line around 1 to 2 inches thick around the perimeter to kill any ticks that try to pass through.
Landscaping Tips to Keep Ticks Away
Trim Weeds and Grass
Areas with tall grass and thick weeds provide an ideal environment for ticks, providing them with cover and shade. Mow your lawn and trim weeds regularly to help reduce tick activity.
Reduce Shaded Areas
Trim large bushes, trees, and shrubs to allow more direct sunlight in your yard. Allowing sunlight to reach the soil and grass around your home makes it dry and warm, which is a less hospitable environment for ticks.
Create a Barrier
Create a 3-foot wide barrier of wood chips or gravel around the perimeter of your yard to keep ticks out. Ticks prefer moving around cool and moist areas with plenty of cover, so they’ll avoid crossing through your barrier.
You can construct it along walls or fencing in your yard, or around patios and recreational areas. This type of tick barrier is especially helpful if your property is adjacent to a wooded area.
Grow Tick-Repelling Plants
While some plants are a food source for insects, others produce toxins and oils that keep pests away. Here are some common plants that can help kill or repel ticks in your yard:
- Rosemary
- Beautyberry
- Mint
- Garlic
- Sage
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Lemongrass
- Marigolds
Professional Tick Control in New York City
Need help with ticks? At MMPC, we use eco-friendly pest control methods that are safe for families with children and pets. Our experienced team of pest professionals can keep your property free from ticks all year-round.