Sasha CampbellTicks are more than just a nuisance—they can pose serious health risks to you, your family, and your pets. If you’re dealing with ticks in your home or yard, here’s a comprehensive guide on natural ways to get rid of them.
Identification
Ticks are small, oval-shaped parasites that can be difficult to spot. They range in size from a poppy seed to an apple seed, depending on their age and whether they’ve been fed recently [1].
Their color varies from reddish-brown to dark brown or black. Adult ticks have eight legs, making them arachnids, and their bodies can swell significantly after feeding.
These pests are known carriers of various diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever [2]. These illnesses can have severe, long-lasting effects if not treated promptly.
Adult ticks attach to the skin of their host and feed on blood, sometimes for days, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
How to Get Rid of Ticks in House and Yard Naturally
By making use of the home remedies and natural solutions below, you can effectively reduce and eliminate ticks from your home and yard. Keeping your family and pets safe from the dangers these pests pose.
1. Maintain a Tidy Yard
Leaf litter and other yard debris provide an ideal environment for ticks to hide.
Therefore, regularly removing leaves, grass clippings, and other organic matter from your yard can help reduce tick habitats. This will also prevent them from making a home near your house.
2. Salt
Salt is a natural desiccant, meaning it dries out and kills by dehydrating. It works great at killing tick eggs and larvae.
Therefore, sprinkle salt on carpets, rugs, and other areas where ticks might hide. Leave it for a few hours or overnight, then vacuum it up thoroughly.
3. Boric Acid
Boric acid is another natural tick killer. It works by dehydrating and ultimately killing the larvae and eggs that encounter it.
Therefore, apply boric acid powder to carpets, rugs, and other target areas. Like salt, let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming.
4. Lemon Oil
Ticks also hate the smell of lemon oil. Therefore, you can mix lemon oil with water and spray it around your home.
You can also use it directly on your skin to help keep ticks at bay. For this recipe, add one part lemon oil with 10 parts witch hazel. Shake well and apply to your body, focusing on exposed areas.
5. Cedar Oil
Cedar oil is a natural repellent for tick nymphs [3]. You can use it both indoors and outdoors to repel them.
Mix 20 drops of cedar oil in a cup of water. Spray it in areas where ticks are likely to be, such as your backyard, around dog and cat bedding or resting areas, and on carpets.
You can also use it to lightly mist your clothes, curtains, and other fabrics.
6. Oregano Oil
This oil also works great at killing and deterring ticks. In high doses, it can kill ticks that come into contact with it.
You can also use oregano oil to make a DIY tick repellent for your skin. Just add 10 drops of oregano oil to two tablespoons of carrier oil. Shake well and apply to your skin to help keep away ticks.
7. Practice Good Pet Hygiene
Cats, dogs, and other pets can bring ticks into your home, so it’s important to regularly treat them with tick prevention products. You can use natural options like essential oil sprays or periodically check and remove any ticks from their body.
To make an essential oil spray for ticks on dogs, add 10 drops of oil of choice to one cup of apple cider vinegar. Shake well and use it to mist your dog’s fur.
8. Mow the Lawn and Keep It Hydrated
Some ticks will hide in tall grass, so keep your lawn mowed short. Some species of ticks also prefer dry areas, so a hydrated lawn is less likely to harbor them.
9. Discourage Unwanted Animals from Entering Your Property
Ticks often get into your yard on wildlife like deer, rodents, horses, cattle, and stray animals. If possible, discourage these animals from entering your property or keep them as far as possible from your house.
10. Rubbing Alcohol
Dropping ticks in rubbing alcohol is also an effective way to kill them on contact.
If you find a tick on yourself or your pet, use a tweezer to pick it off and drop in some rubbing alcohol. It will kill the tick immediately.
11. Diatomaceous Earth
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is deadly to ticks but safe for humans and pets.
You can spread it in areas where ticks are likely to be found. This includes the perimeter of your yard, in gardens, and in cracks and crevices in your home.
This product works by dehydrating and killing these pests upon contact.
12. Wash Bedding and Clothes in Hot Water
Ticks can latch onto bedding, clothing, and other fabrics.
To kill any ticks that might be hiding in these items, wash them in hot water. The intense heat will instantly kill these parasitic feeders and their eggs.
13. Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that can also be used to kill ticks.
You can mix 2 teaspoons with your pet’s shampoo. Massage the shampoo into the pet’s coat before rinsing it out.
14. Declutter and Clean the House Thoroughly
A cluttered house provides plenty of hiding spots for ticks.
Therefore, regularly declutter and deep clean your home to eliminate potential tick hiding spots. Pay special attention to areas where pets spend a lot of time.
15. Vacuum Regularly
Regular vacuuming is one of the best ways to remove ticks from your home.
Focus on areas like carpets, rugs, furniture, and pet bedding. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag or canister immediately after vacuuming to prevent ticks from escaping.
16. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is often used as a natural tick and flea repellent.
Use it to create a spray by mixing equal parts apple cider vinegar and water. Next, apply it to your pet’s coat.
You can also add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s water bowl.
17. Natural Predators
Certain animals and insects prey on ticks, helping to keep their population in check.
Encourage natural predators like birds, frogs, dragonflies, opossums, ladybugs, and spiders to live in your yard. These animals can help control the tick population by feeding on them.
You can attract these predators by creating a welcoming environment with water sources, shelter, and food.
18. Seal Gaps Between Windows and Doors
Ticks can enter your home through tiny gaps in windows, doors, and walls. Therefore, seal these gaps to prevent ticks from getting inside.
19. Repellent Plants
There are several plants known to repel ticks. Consider incorporating these into your yard or using them in homemade sprays.
Rosemary, lavender, marigold, and mint are great tick-repellent plants. Planting these around your yard can naturally deter ticks.
Moreover, some chrysanthemums contain Pyrethrum, a natural insecticide that repels ticks and other pests.
20. Eucalyptus Oil
You can also use this essential oil to make a homemade tick repellent spray for your home.
Just mix 20 drops of eucalyptus oil with 4 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Spray this solution around your home.
Focus the spray on areas where ticks are likely to be found, like doorways, windows, and baseboards. They dislike the scent of it.
21. NemAttack™ and NemaSeek™ Nematodes
These beneficial nematodes will happily feed on tick larvae and other pests. You can apply them to your yard, where they will seek out and kill ticks in the soil.
22. Dr. Earth Final Stop Pest Control Killer Spray
Dr. Earth’s Final Stop Pest Control Killer Spray is an organic product that can be used to kill ticks and other pests. It works fast and can be applied indoors and outdoors.
Takeaway
By combining these natural methods, you can significantly reduce the tick population in your home and yard. While no solution is entirely foolproof, one or more of these remedies can go a long way in protecting you, your children, and your pets from these pests.
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