Ticks are definitely not a welcome insect in the backyard. Not only can their bites hurt, but they also carry a lot of different diseases. Ticks can make you sick in a lot of ways, from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever to Lyme disease and a lot of other things in between.
For all of these reasons and more, it is important to keep their numbers in check. But it’s a shame that many of the commercial pesticides that kill ticks also kill good bugs. Worse, they can be harmful to humans and animals if they eat them or get them on their skin.
The good news is that there are a few organic, natural ways to get rid of ticks that work very well. Not only can they keep these dangerous bugs out of your backyard, but they can do it without having to use harsh or dangerous chemicals.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is an all-star performer when it comes to defending plants from pests and diseases of all kinds! Neem tree seeds are pressed into oil to create this all-natural treatment. In addition, it has a plethora of useful qualities spread across the landscape.
Fruit trees can be protected from scab, leaf spot, fungus, and more if they are sprayed with this product. In addition, it can be used to kill lawn grubs.
It’s not just neem oil’s antibacterial properties that make it useful. Aphids and whiteflies can also be controlled with this product, which is great for flowers and vegetables. Mosquitoes and fleas are also killed by it.
Not only that, but it also kills immature Japanese Beetles, preventing their development into adult insects. And, as you may have realized by this point, it also kills ticks!
Even while neem oil can kill a wide variety of insects, it has no effect on bees or butterflies, two of the most important pollinators on the planet.
How Does Neem Oil Keep Ticks Away?
Neem oil is a proven winner when it comes to protecting plants from insects and diseases.
If you spray neem oil on a tick, the oil stops the tick from being able to breathe. When that happens, the tick can no longer do its job and will soon die.
Mix one gallon of water with six tablespoons of neem oil to get rid of ticks on lawns. Add a teaspoon of olive oil or vegetable oil to the mixture and shake it well to help the spray stick to grass and plants.
A pump or backpack sprayer can be used to put the mixture directly on lawns. Make sure the grass is covered evenly. This application will not only help get rid of ticks in your lawn, but it can also get rid of grubs, Japanese beetle larva, mites, fleas, and mosquitoes.
For the best results, apply it again once a month in late spring, early summer, and early fall. If you don’t want to mix your own natural solution, you can buy all-natural neem oil mixes that are already mixed and ready to spray.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil has been used for a long time to treat muscle pain, arthritis, and other problems. The oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-healing effects, but it is also a great tool for getting rid of ticks.
Eucalyptus oil can be used both to keep ticks away and to kill them. By mixing 30 drops of eucalyptus oil with 6 ounces of water, you can make a spray that will keep animals away.
It can be sprayed on clothes and skin to keep ticks from climbing on and biting. You can also use it safely on dogs, but always test a small area first, because it can irritate the skin of some people.
You can also add Eucalyptus oil to the neem oil to make an even stronger insecticide to keep bugs out of your yard and landscaping.
Free Range Chickens
Believe it or not, a small flock of backyard chickens is one of the best and most effective ways to kill ticks and get rid of them from your yard.
There’s no doubt that having a few chickens in your yard can be one of the best investments you can make. Not only do they give you eggs and free manure for your compost pile and garden, but they can also kill ticks quickly and keep them from coming back.
