Imagine the feeling if you are to learn that there are ticks in the yard that you worked hard on so you can see a burst of colors as you look at flourishing plants that bear all kinds of beautiful leaves and flowers. Gardening, especially after you see the rewards of your effort, is relaxing, right? That is one of the reasons you made sure you have enough space in your yard. But a tick, other than plants and flowers, certainly is not a welcome idea. Knowing the dangers involved, you’d surely want to get rid of them immediately.
Taking control of ticks sharing your yard space could depend on several factors. There are also several ways of getting rid of ticks. You have to find out what will work best for you and on your yard.
Preventing the Presence of Ticks in the Yard
- Avoid damp, moist or over-shady areas in your yard as ticks just love to live in such. If you keep piles of compost, keep them away from where you and other members of your home regularly stay.
- Create an obstruction so that ticks can’t jump from the woods surrounding your yard into your area. Try placing a patch of gravel or sand between your fence and the edge of the wooded area.
- Keep debris away. This includes piles of dried, decomposing leaves where ticks can hide.
- Don’t allow your grass to grow tall which can provide a hiding place or shade for ticks.
- Ticks in the yard also happen when deer usher them in. Make sure you don’t keep plants that are attractive to these animals or try deer repellant sprays.
- Regularly check possible tick hiding places in your yard so you can immediately get rid of them once you discover a presence.
- Ask your vet about maintenance measures such as tick-control products to make sure your pets don’t carry ticks into your yard and eventually into your home.
Another vehicle that ticks can use to enter your yard is mice. Where there are mice, you can almost always be sure that ticks are there too. However, getting rid of mice to get rid of ticks may need the assistance of professional pest controller especially if they are too many to handle.
The Use of Repellants
To get rid of ticks in the yard, you can consult an expert about the use of pyrethrum powder, a substance that can kill the pesky critters. The powder may be dusted on some surfaces in your yard or you may opt for the spray version. There are other products that you can use directly on shrubs and trees as well as on the grass. They come in ready-to-spray preparations or in granules.
If you are not comfortable using chemicals, try planting Chrysanthemum Cineraria folium, a plant with natural pyrethrins content that helps drive out ticks. Also try planting rows of lavender, peppermint and geranium. These plants work as natural tick repellants.
Because you hate ticks in the yard that may limit your outdoor activities, try making a bottle of natural tick repellant which you can use as body spray. Boil about 500 ml of water. Slice 2 of each: lemon, orange and lime then add and continue boiling for 60 minutes. Let cool and transfer into a spray bottle. You may also spray the citrus solution on your pets and on surfaces where ticks are.
When to Call the Experts
If you already have done every possible measure and ticks continue to be a chronic problem, putting your health and that of your family at risk, it may be time to call in the experts. Professionals use treatments that can kill ticks in the yard on contact.
When contacting the experts, see that they are indeed what they claim they are and that they really do a good job at eliminating ticks. Ask for a plan written in black and white that has all the information you need to know. This includes the pesticides they intend to use and alternative products, if any, plus pre and post treatment safety measures.
After you have done all necessary steps eliminate the pests in your yard, be sure to check yourself and other family members for ticks too.