Looking for a few simple tips and tricks to keep ticks out of your yard this spring and summer?
Ticks are more than just a nuisance. The tiny insects can pose serious dangers to both your family and your pets. They carry diseases such Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and more – all of which can cause severe health issues to children and adults.
And for pets, it can be just as bad. When a tick latches onto your pet, it can spread bacteria through its bite. And if ticks are present in your lawn – that can happen more frequently than you ever thought possible!
It’s easy to see with all of the issues ticks can cause why keeping them out of your yard is so important. Fortunately, you don’t need harsh chemicals or complicated methods to protect your yard.
In fact – here is a look at three simple, easy and natural ways to eliminate ticks from your yard for good this year – with ease!
3 Simple Ways To Keep Ticks Out Of Your Yard This Spring & Summer!
1. Keep Brush & Thick Grass Out Of Your Yard
One of the easiest ways to reduce ticks is to keep your yard well maintained. Ticks thrive in areas with tall grass, thick brush, and piles of wood or leaves. And the more of it you have around, the likelier they are to make it their home.
They love hiding in dark, damp spaces to wait for a host (you, your kids, or your pets) to walk by. But regular lawn and landscape maintenance can go a long way to eliminate this issue.
Start by mowing your lawn regularly. Short grass makes it difficult for ticks to survive because they prefer shaded, moist environments. In addition, trimming bushes and overgrown plants back will not only keep your landscape tidy, but also help limit the places where ticks can hide.
Last but not least, remove leaf litter and wood piles – or keep them far, far away. These are prime tick breeding spots, especially if they stay damp. If you must store wood, keep it stacked neatly in a dry area away from high-traffic spots.
The simple fact is, the more clean and clear your lawn and landscape is, the less likely you are to have ticks!
2. How To Keep Ticks Out Of Your Yard With Neem Oil
Once that lawn is all nicely mowed and cut, it’s time to turn to all natural neem oil to get rid of the ticks already there. Neem oil has been around for centuries, and its all natural pest control qualities are actually quite amazing.
Neem oil is an all-natural solution that works wonders for repelling and killing ticks. This plant-based oil is extracted from the neem tree and has been used for years and years as a natural pesticide. Not just for ticks, but for all kinds of pests. See our article: How To Use Neem Oil On Plants – Control Pests Organically!
So how does neem oil work? Its success comes from how the oil disrupts a tick’s life cycle. It works by interfering with their ability to grow and reproduce, reducing tick populations over time.
Neem oil is effective against mosquitoes, fleas, and other insects, making it a great all-around yard treatment. In fact, regular treatments of your lawn and yard can all but eliminate issues with all of the above pests!
How To Use Neem Oil On Your Yard To Keep Ticks Out
Not only is neem oil easy to use, when used correctly, it’s also safe for people, pets, and even pollinators! All you need to do is mix it with water and a little bit of mild soap to help it stick to plants. Then, spray your lawn and garden! Affiliate Link: HARRIS Neem Oil Cold Pressed Water Soluble Concentrate
For best results and to keep pollinators safe, it’s best to spray early in the morning or late in the evening. This timing is crucial because it helps protect pollinators like bees and butterflies. Neem oil can be harmful to beneficial insects if applied when they are active during the day. But by applying when they are not out – it can dry and then is completely safe.
When spraying, in addition to coating the lawn, spray any areas where there is excessive vegetation or wood or leaf piles. These are tick hot spots, so give them extra attention when spraying. Apply the solution every three to four weeks to keep your yard tick-free all throughout the season.
3. Chickens – Another Natural Secret To Tick Control!
Believe it or not, one of the most surprising and effective ways to eliminate ticks from your yard is with backyard chickens. Chickens are natural pest hunters and absolutely love eating ticks!
A single chicken can actually eat hundreds of ticks every day. As they scratch and peck around your yard, they naturally reduce the tick population. Imagine how many a small flock of three or four hens can do.
Listen In To Our Podcast Below On How To Control Ticks For Even More Great Info!
But even better, chickens also help control other pests like mosquitoes, beetles, and grasshoppers. Not only will chickens help control your tick problem, but they also provide fresh eggs and are fun to have around. And are they ever easy to keep!
So there you have it – three simple and easy ways to keep ticks in your yard under control – without having to resort to man-made chemicals to do it. Here is to keeping your yard free of ticks this year, and to keeping you, your family, and pets safe too!
Simple Garden Life
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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.