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22 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ticks in House and Yard

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22 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ticks in House and Yard

Ticks are more than 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. Depending on their age and whether they have been fed recently, they range in size from a poppy seed to an apple seed [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]. If not treated promptly, these illnesses can have severe, long-lasting effects.

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 using 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 they pose.

1. Maintain a Tidy Yard

Leaf litter and other yard debris provide an ideal environment for ticks to hide.

So, regularly removing leaves, grass clippings, and other organic matter from your yard can help reduce tick habitats. It can also prevent them from nesting near your house.

2. Salt

Salt is a natural desiccant, which 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 overnight, then vacuum it up thoroughly.

3. Boric Acid

Boric acid is another natural tick killer. It dehydrates and ultimately kills the larvae and eggs that encounter it.

Therefore, boric acid powder should be applied to carpets, rugs, and other target areas. 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 to ten 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]. It can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Mix 20 drops of cedar oil in a cup of water. Spray it on carpets and areas where ticks are likely to be, such as your backyard, around dog and cat bedding or resting areas, and rugs.

You can also use it to mist your clothes, curtains, and other fabrics.

6. Oregano Oil

This oil also works great for killing and deterring ticks. It can kill ticks that come into contact with it in high doses.

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 ticks away.

7. Practice Good Pet Hygiene

Cats, dogs, and other pets can bring ticks into your home, so it’s important to treat them regularly with tick prevention products. You can use natural options like essential oil sprays or periodically check and remove ticks from their bodies.

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 from wildlife like deer, rodents, horses, cattle, and stray animals. If possible, discourage these animals from entering your property or keep them as far away 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 it in 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, gardens, and 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.

Wash these items in hot water to kill any ticks hiding in them. 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 two 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 hiding spots for ticks. 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.

Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water to create a spray. Then, 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, and dragonflies, to live in your yard.

Also, invite opossums, ladybugs, and spiders. 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.

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 found, like doorways, windows, and baseboards. They dislike its scent.

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 quickly kills ticks and other pests. It can be applied indoors or outdoors.

Takeaway

Combining these natural methods can significantly reduce the tick population in your home and yard. While no solution is entirely foolproof, one or more of these remedies can protect you, your children, and your pets from these pests.

Picture via commons.wikimedia.org

Sasha Campbell

Sasha Campbell is an experienced blogger in the organic gardening and natural health niches. She's also a lover of all things natural.

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