How To Control And Repel Ticks Safely In Your Backyard Safe!

Looking for a few simple and safe methods to control and repel ticks in your backyard this spring, summer and fall?

Ticks are one insect that can create a long list of issues for the health and well being of humans and pets alike. The tiny insect with a unique look all to its own can carry infection from bacterial disease as well as viruses and parasites.

That is exactly why keeping ticks out of your backyard and off of your skin is so important – and what today’s in-depth article and corresponding podcast are all about! You can listen in below to our podcast or read on for the entire full length article. As always, all of our podcast and article resource links are provided at the end of each article.

Listen In To The Podcast : How To Safely Control & Repel Ticks In Your Backyard

The Problems Ticks Cause

Unfortunately, ticks can pass disease and illness along quite easily. A single tick bite can cause everything from a severe rash to more menacing illnesses such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Fever. And that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potential diseases that can be transmitted!

So how can you limit your exposure to them? And how can you reduce the population living in your lawn and landscape? The answer to all of the above questions really comes in a 3 prong approach.

First and foremost, you have to be diligent in checking for ticks regularly. Beyond that, treating your backyard spaces safely to eliminate as many ticks as possible can help greatly too. After all, it is where you and your family and pets spend the most time.

Finally, the 3rd part of the equation in staying safe from tick bites by using safe repellents when heading to areas where ticks love to be most.

How To Control & Repel Ticks Safely

Check For Ticks Regularly

No matter how hard you try to eliminate ticks from your yard, there is always a chance a few can be around. In addition, if you like to camp or be outdoors anywhere, your risk of coming in contact with a tick increases.

control and repel ticks — *If you like to be outdoors, chances are you will eventually run into ticks. That is why it is vital to check skin daily when you have been outside.*

Because of that, your best line of defense is to always check for ticks. On you, your family and your pets. The good news is that even if a tick finds it way on to someone, if you find it early enough, many of the most dangerous issues can be avoided.

It is currently thought that a tick has to be on you for at least 24 to 48 hours before Lyme disease and other serious ailments can pass on. If you can simply locate and remove the ticks soon enough, it is the best way to stay safe!

How To Eliminate Ticks – How To Control & Repel Ticks Safely

Backyard Chickens

Believe it or not, one of the best ways to rid your backyard of ticks is to raise a few chickens. Not only will they give you delicious eggs and wonderful manure for your garden, they are tick eating machines!

A few free range chickens can devour a tick population quickly. As they roam about, they peck and eat all kinds of insects, with ticks being a favorite. It is not always practical in every situation, but if you can raise a few chickens, your tick issues will most likely be history.

Neem Oil, An All Natural Tick Solution – How To Control & Repel Ticks Safely

Neem oil, which is made by pressing the seeds of a neem tree to remove the oil, is a great all natural solution for ticks and for many other insect issues too.

When neem oil spray touches a tick, it prevents the insect from being able to take in air. When that happens, the tick dies quickly from a lack of oxygen. A simple mixture of one gallon of water, 6 tablespoons of neem oil, and a teaspoon of olive oil will do the trick.

Why the olive oil? The oil helps the spray stick to grass and plants. Just add in a teaspoon of olive oil (you can use vegetable oil instead) to the mix and shake well.

You can then apply the mix directly to your lawn using a pump or backpack sprayer. Try to coat the surface evenly to get the best coverage. This mixture will not only help kill the ticks, it can help to get rid of grubs, mites, fleas and Japanese beetle larvae in your lawn too. Perhaps best of all, it also kills mosquitoes too! See: The Best Plants To Grow To Keep Mosquitoes Away

How To Keep Ticks Off – How To Control & Repel Ticks Safely

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil happens to be a great weapon in the fight against ticks. It is both a repellent and an insecticide for ticks. They absolutely hate the smell of the oil, and when it touches their skin it can actually kill them.

You can mix 3 teaspoons of oil in a gallon of water to spray lawns. It acts in much the same method as neem oil to kill ticks that it comes in contact with.

free range chickens and insects — *Chickens are one of the best tick controllers of all!*

As a deterrent, you can create an effective repellent spray by mixing 30 drops of eucalyptus oil with 6 ounces of water. Then simply spray on clothes and exposed areas of skin. As with any mix (even natural ones) always test a small area to make sure there is no reaction to you or your clothes.

You can use the oil spray on dogs but not cats. With all natural minerals etc., cats cannot process the enzymes and can become very sick. Eucalyptus oil should also not be used on infants.

Tickwise All Natural Repellent – How To Control & Repel Ticks Safely

When it comes to off-the-shelf natural repellents, Tickwise is extremely effective. The highly rated spray is DEET free and all natural. It contains pure natural oils that include cedar wood, geranium, citronella, peppermint, rosemary, and lemongrass.

It can be great when traveling, camping, gardening, hiking, or taking part in any other summer outdoor adventures. Simply spray on the lemony herbal scent and it can provide protection from ticks for one to two hours.

Just as with eucalyptus oil, you can apply it to dogs but not cats. It should also not be used on infants. Here is to keeping you and your family safe this year from ticks!

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Podcast / Article Links

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Simple Garden Life is a website dedicated to keeping gardening fun, simple and enjoyable! We publish two new articles each week along with a new garden podcast episode every two weeks. This article may contain affiliate links.