Tick yard spray: Amazon.com: Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray | Yard Treatment Spray kills Mosquitoes, Fleas, and Ticks with Certified Natural Oils | Plant Safe with Ready-to-Use Hose Attachment

The Best Tick Spray for Yard Options of 2022

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Tick bites spread dangerous diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Once they attach themselves to a host, ticks are notoriously difficult to remove without breaking off the head under the skin, which causes infection. But, the best tick spray for the entire yard kills ticks and other nuisance pests, like ants and mosquitoes.

Most yard tick sprays are packaged in containers that can be attached to a garden hose, diluted, and then sprayed. Shoppers looking for ways to reduce infestations on their property should consider these top picks and tips for the best tick spray for yard infestations.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Black Flag HG-11108 Flea & Tick Killer Concentrate
  2. RUNNER UP: BioAdvanced 700280B Complete Insect Killer
  3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawn & Landscape
  4. BEST NATURAL SPRAY: Wondercide – Ready to Use Flea, Tick, and Mosquito
  5. BEST FOR PETS: Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray

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What to Consider When Choosing the Best Tick Spray for Yards

Not every tick spray is right for every property. There are several different types of spray from which to choose—some are derived from natural ingredients and others contain pesticides, for example. Some sprays are sold in concentrate and others are ready to use, but the differences between products don’t stop there. There’s also the spray’s application method and coverage area to consider, as well as its specific active ingredients. Keep these features in mind as you choose the best tick spray for yard infestations. Finally, remember that these sprays are poison. Protect yourself and others while applying these products.

Types of Tick Sprays

When shopping for the best spray for a yard with ticks, you’ll typically find three different types on the shelves: concentrated tick sprays, premixed tick sprays, and natural sprays. The first two differ by formula; the last type differs by its ingredients.

  • Concentrated tick sprays are generally packaged in a large container and are meant to be diluted with water, either manually or by connecting the container to a garden hose to disperse the spray. This type of tick spray is the most common option for treating yards because it can be sprayed over a large area.
  • Premixed tick sprays come ready to use in a spray bottle. Just put on proper protective gear—a mask, gloves, and long pants—and start spraying problem areas around the yard. The drawback to premixed sprays is that they are really only useful for small gardens, smaller yards, and targeted spot treatments.
  • Natural tick sprays are necessary for homes with pets and kids. Instead of relying on powerful chemical poisons like permethrin or DEET to kill ticks, these sprays take advantage of essential oils’ natural tick-repellent properties. In concentrated amounts, these essential oils—among them, peppermint and cedarwood—kill ticks and other insects while creating a scent barrier that drives these unwanted pests away. The downside of these natural solutions is that they’re not as effective as the chemical treatments.

Application and Coverage Area

There are two primary methods by which tick spray is applied to a yard: via a garden hose sprayer, or with a spray bottle.

  • Garden hose sprayers connect directly to a hose. Water from the hose mixes with the concentrated tick spray and distributes the spray evenly over the yard. One 32-ounce bottle of concentrate can treat up to 5,000 square feet (0.11 acres), so two bottles would easily cover a medium-size yard.
  • Spray bottles contain a natural or a premixed chemical formula that is ready to use simply by squeezing the trigger to apply the tick spray to targeted areas around the entire yard. The disadvantage of using tick treatment in a ready-to-use spray bottle is that it doesn’t cover much area—only around 500 square feet. Connecting a spray wand to the bottle can increase the spray range, but there’s only so much spray in the bottle. Coverage range for point-and-spray bottles maxes out at about 1,000 square feet.

Safety

Safety should always be top priority when using pesticides, herbicides, and other poison treatments for the yard. Many tick sprays contain dangerous active ingredients such as permethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, zeta-cypermethrin, and bifenthrin, all of which are synthetic pyrethroids. Imidacloprid, beta-cyfluthrin, and DEET are other common ingredients in tick spray. Even the concentrated essential oils in natural tick sprays can be harmful if the spray isn’t properly applied and package instructions are not followed.

When spraying a yard with tick treatment, make sure people and pets avoid the treated area for at least 2 hours after the treatment is applied. This allows ample time for the spray to settle on the ground and in the foliage, and it reduces the likelihood that it’ll be inhaled or transferred from the grass onto a person or an animal. Though it has already been said, it bears repeating: Always wear appropriate protective gear when using tick treatments. Gloves, a mask, long pants, long sleeves, and eye protection will go a long way in protecting you from these harsh chemicals.

Our Top Picks

These top tick sprays were selected based on overall efficacy; type of treatment, ease of application, and the amount of coverage they provide were also considered. Whether you’re treating a large lawn or a small area of your garden, you’ll likely find some good options here to suit your needs.

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This flea and tick killer from Black Flag contains 32 ounces of concentrated pesticide, and it’s applied by attaching the container to the end of a garden hose and turning the hose on. This process mixes the solution, eliminating any worry about getting the proper mixture ratio before beginning treatment.

With lambda-cyhalothrin as its active ingredient, this product is effective for resolving infestations of arachnids like ticks and spiders, and it kills other pests such as mosquitoes, ants, fleas, crickets, beetles, and earwigs. The full bottle of Black Flag Flea & Tick Killer treats up to 5,000 square feet of lawn and garden, and it kills fleas for up to 12 weeks. Apply it as needed to control tick infestations.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Concentrate
  • Application Type: Garden hose
  • Active Ingredient: Lambda-cyhalothrin
  • Coverage Area: 5,000 square feet

Pros

  • Works on ticks, spiders, mosquitoes, ants, fleas, crickets, beetles, and earwigs
  • Bottle includes a garden hose connection
  • Lasts for up to 12 weeks
  • Affordable price point

Cons

  • May require multiple treatments
  • May not be safe for homes with pets

Get the Black Flag concentrate at The Home Depot and Walmart.

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With imidacloprid and beta-cyfluthrin as its active ingredients, BioAdvanced’s Complete Insect Killer means business. These two active ingredients kill affected ticks by binding to the acetylcholine receptors, creating an increasing accumulation of acetylcholine in the body that leads to convulsions, paralysis, and death.

This BioAdvanced product is a highly versatile approach to yard treatment. It comes in a 32-ounce bottle with a garden hose connection for easy DIY application, and its contents cover up to 5,334 square feet of yard. What’s more, this insect killer spray is effective for up to 3 months after treatment, and it eradicates mosquitoes, fleas, spiders, and more than 500 additional insect species.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Concentrate
  • Application Type: Garden hose
  • Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid and beta-cyfluthrin
  • Coverage Area: 5,334 square feet

Pros

  • Works on 500 insect species
  • Bottle includes a garden hose connection
  • Effective for up to 3 months

Cons

  • May be hard to attach to a garden hose

Get the BAYER CROP Complete insect killer at Amazon, Walmart, and Lowe’s.

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With a total coverage of 5,300 square feet, this inexpensive Ortho tick spray is an effective option for treating decks, patios, picnic areas, and backyard spaces. The spray contains two common synthetic pyrethrins, bifenthrin and zeta-cypermethrin. These pyrethrins kill adult and larval arachnids by damaging the nervous system, so infestations are destroyed at all maturation levels.

Ortho Home Defense’s 32-ounce concentrate treats tick infestations as well as spiders and fleas for up to 6 months. It also can be used to kill ants, mosquitoes, and 235 other species of nuisance pests. Treat the yard or garden by attaching the bottle of concentrate to the end of a garden hose. The flow of water will mix with the concentrated tick spray and dispense a potent treatment to kill and repel ticks.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Concentrate
  • Application Type: Garden hose
  • Active Ingredients: Bifenthrin and zeta-cypermethrin
  • Coverage Area: 5,300 square feet

Pros

  • Works on 237 insect species
  • Bottle includes a garden hose connection
  • Lasts for up to 6 months
  • Affordable price point

Cons

  • May not be safe for homes with pets

Get the ORTHO Home Defense insect killer at Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

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Wondercide’s natural tick spray for yard infestations is made with three different active ingredients, including cedarwood oil, sesame oil, and sodium lauryl sulfate. The combination of these three ingredients kills ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas, and repels nuisance pests for up to 2 weeks. The solution is concentrated and is dispersed by connecting a garden hose to the hose-end sprayer.

This 32-ounce tick spray is effective at treating up to 5,000 square feet of property when used according to the manufacturer’s directions. Whereas other tick treatments require users to wait hours for the product to dry before entering the area, that’s not the case with Wondercide—spray, and enjoy the yard right away. This natural tick spray is safe to use around kids and pets, making it a great option for parents, pet owners, and others who are reluctant about applying chemicals to their yards.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Natural tick spray
  • Application Type: Garden hose
  • Active Ingredients: Cedarwood oil, sesame oil, and sodium lauryl sulfate
  • Coverage Area: 5,000 square feet

Pros

  • Natural formula
  • Bottle includes a garden hose connection
  • Works on ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas
  • Safe for homes with kids and pets

Cons

  • Pricey compared to similar products
  • Must be reapplied after 2 weeks

Get the Wondercide insect killer on Amazon.

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Vet’s Best tick spray is a plant-based formula that’s designed for use around pets and kids, making it a great option for treating outdoor kennels or household areas where pets like to lay and play. This treatment’s three natural active ingredients, peppermint oil, eugenol (clove extract), and sodium lauryl sulfate, can kill and repel ticks, fleas, spiders, flies, and mosquitoes.

This 32-ounce concentrated formula needs to be mixed with water, and it’s easily applied by connecting the bottle to a garden hose. Vet’s Best kills adults, larvae, and eggs on up to 5,000 square feet of yard, yet it isn’t harmful to trees, shrubs, or flowers. It’s effective for up to 2 weeks, but heavy rain can reduce the length of the efficacy period. This product is made in the USA.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Concentrate
  • Application Type: Garden hose
  • Active Ingredients: Peppermint oil, clove extract, and sodium lauryl sulfate
  • Coverage Area: 5,000 square feet

Pros

  • Plant-based formula
  • Works on mosquitoes, flea eggs, flea larvae, fleas, spiders, flies, and ticks
  • Bottle includes a garden hose connection
  • Not harmful to backyard plants

Cons

  • Rain may dilute the effects
  • Short working time compared to similar options

Get the Vet’s Best Flea and Tick spray on Amazon and at Walmart.

Our Verdict

For a reliable tick killer that takes care of your whole yard, we recommend the Black Flag concentrate with its 5,000-square-foot coverage and the ability to repel and kill 8 pest varieties in your yard. Alternatively, the Ortho Home Defense concentrate is a budget-friendly option that covers over 5,300 square feet of yard space and lasts for over 6 months.

How We Chose the Best Tick Sprays for Yards

We researched the most sought-after sprays for repelling ticks in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are determined by their type, application method, coverage area, compatible insect types, ingredients, and other special features included by the top brands.

While searching for the best pest solutions on the market, the most popular type among users were the concentrates with their easy application and wide area coverages of 5,000 to 5,334 square feet. All of the tick sprays included in this list can be attached to garden hoses for easy application with most options including a built-in garden hose attachment for killing ticks.

For added convenience, each of these tick sprays repels and kills ticks and other pests, some reaching hundreds of other pest varieties. Finally, the list includes both pesticides and natural plant-based formulas for homes with kids and pets.

Tips for Using Tick Spray in Your Yard

Before spraying the yard, always check the manufacturer’s directions to make sure that you know how to use the product properly. For best results, users should avoid spraying the yard during or shortly after rainfall because water can dilute the poison and reduce its efficacy. Begin treating your yard in the spring after any snow has melted, and continue treating it regularly throughout the summer months. Make sure to use proper personal protective equipment (PPE), like gloves, a mask, and long pants and long sleeves, when using pesticides.

Ticks are found primarily in wooded areas, deep foliage, gardens, tall grass, and under piles of mulch. For this reason it’s important to keep the yard well maintained, and rake up grass mulch after mowing. Take away their favorite spots, and you’ll have fewer ticks to deal with. These pests also like piles of brush and wood because they prey on mice and other rodents that live in these cool locations.

It’s important to remember that some tick sprays contain dangerous active ingredients that are strictly regulated by local and state laws. Before choosing the best tick spray for yard infestations, always check local and state laws in your region to make sure that the product is approved for use.

  • For best results, begin spraying the yard after any snow has melted and the ground has dried out.
  • Use tick spray in wooded areas, gardens, dense foliage, tall grass, and other areas where ticks are likely to live and feed.
  • Local and state regulations for tick spray products vary. Always check regulations in your area before choosing a tick spray.

FAQs 

After clearing the yard of brush and other areas where ticks congregate, it’s a good idea to protect your family and pets from these parasitic arachnids by spraying any lingering tick populations or using an effective tick repellent. To learn more about why ticks are invading your yard and how effective the best tick sprays are for the yard, read on.

Q: Why do I have ticks in my yard?

Ticks are attracted to wood piles, wooded areas, piled sticks, and brush, as well as grass that is over 4 inches high. These types of areas allow ticks to prey on mice, latch onto passing pets, and stay safely away from hot, dry locations. To reduce tick habitat and the tick population, be sure to remove any garbage, wood, and sticks that have been piled in the yard and keep the grass and foliage neatly trimmed.

Q: Are yard treatments effective for eliminating ticks?

The use of tick yard treatments for the yard can greatly reduce the number of ticks. For lasting results, it’s important to keep the lawn and foliage neatly trimmed to avoid creating a dense, moist, breeding ground for these pests.

Q: Are there any residual effects of using tick sprays on lawns?

Overuse of pesticides can cause phytotoxicity in plants, which leads to symptoms like stunted or distorted growth, damage to plants’ leaves and flowers, and death. To avoid poisoning plants while treating a tick problem, always read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.

Best Tick Killers of 2022

Ticks can carry dangerous diseases like Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever and be carried into your home on your pets or children, exposing the rest of your family to a possible illness. In this guide, we explore the best tick killers on Amazon. If you prefer a preventative approach, we also provide tips on how to maintain your yard to deter these pests in the first place. Keep reading to learn more.


Top 5 Tick Killers

  • Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns Granules
  • BioAdvanced 700288S Complete Insect Killer
  • Spectrum HG-61067 Bug-Free Spray
  • Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray
  • Wondercide Ready-To-Use Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Yard Spray

Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns Granules

These insecticide-covered pellets protect against ticks, as well as other pests like spiders, fleas, ants, and mole crickets for up to three months. Because of how large the bag is, you can protect up to 10,000 square feet.

Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns Granules

Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns Granules

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BioAdvanced 700288S Complete Insect Killer

This 10-pound bag of pellets provides three months of protection for up to 10,000 square feet. It kills over 30 insects, including ticks, and starts taking effect within 24 hours of the first application. You can use this tick killer on soil, flowers, trees, shrubs, and any other penetrable surfaces in your yard.

BioAdvanced 700288S Complete Insect Killer

BioAdvanced 700288S Complete Insect Killer

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Spectrum HG-61067 Bug-Free Spray

This spray is best for small yards because of its size. Simply attach it to your garden hose, point the nozzle, and spray the solution over your yard. It applies in just a few minutes and gives you protection from a long list of insects for up to 12 weeks.

Spectrum HG-61067 Bug-Free Spray

Spectrum HG-61067 Bug-Free Spray

Buy on Amazon


Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray

This spray comes in a 32-ounce bottle that’s ready to use immediately. It has a handle on the top and a built-in nozzle that you point and spray over your yard. It also uses clove and peppermint essential oils instead of harmful chemicals, making it a natural solution to your tick problem. Once you run out of the spray, you can purchase a refill bottle and pour the solution back into the ready-to-use container.

Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray

Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray

Buy on Amazon


Wondercide Ready-To-Use Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Yard Spray

This spray comes in a 32-ounce bottle and contains natural insect repellent. It doesn’t harm you, your pets, or any other wildlife like bees and butterflies, and it covers up to 5,000 square feet.

Wondercide Ready-To-Use Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Yard Spray

Wondercide Ready-To-Use Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Yard Spray

Buy on Amazon


Types of Tick Killers

Tick killers come in a variety of forms, with sprays and pellets being the most common. Keep reading to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of each tick killer.

Sprays

Tick spray is the most common and effective tick killer for your yard and can be broken into three subcategories: Concentrated, premixed, and natural.

Concentrated

Concentrated sprays come in a large container and are full of a highly concentrated insecticide. You mix the insecticide with a certain amount of water, depending on what the instructions say, and you spray your yard to get rid of any ticks. This type of tick killer is the most economical choice if you’ll be spraying your entire yard, as a little concentrate covers a large area.

Premixed

Premixed solutions already have the proper ratio of insecticide to water. They come ready to spray and, because of their smaller size, are better for smaller yards or spot treatments.

Natural

If you want to be environmentally conscious, opt for a natural spray that has a mix of essential oils like peppermint or cedarwood—two oils that are known for repelling ticks.

Pellet/Granular

Pellets are made of coarse materials like walnut shells or clay and are coated with an insecticide. The pellets will either be ready to use out of the bag or you’ll have to mix them with water to activate the ingredients. To use the pellets, lay them over your yard like you would with fertilizer.

While pellets are easy to use and don’t pose as much of a hazard as sprays, they don’t cover the leaves on plants and trees like sprays do and they can be mistaken for food by pets and wildlife.

Skin/Clothing Treatment

While this review is focused on yard treatments, there are ways to keep ticks off of your body. Most skin treatments come in the form of a spray with DEET as an active ingredient. However, you can find body sprays that use natural ingredients and sprays that are designed for clothing.


Buying Guide

Before purchasing a tick killer, consider what other pests you have in your yard and how you’ll effectively and safely use the insecticide.

Safety

If you’re using a non-natural spray, wear protective equipment like glasses, gloves, and respirators, as well as long clothing so that the chemicals don’t touch your skin or enter your body. If you’re using pellets, consider wearing gloves, as the insecticide on the product could rub off on your hands. Once you’re done applying the tick killer, take a shower and throw your clothes in the wash to prevent any residual chemicals from coming into contact with you or others.

Proper Use

Every tick killer should come with instructions that explain how to use the product. Make sure you thoroughly read these instructions before using the product so that you understand how much concentrate you need to mix with water or how much surface area it can cover.

Other Pests

Most tick killers are designed to kill more than just ticks, allowing you to target multiple insects in your yard at once. Before making a final purchase, read the product’s list of covered insects and make sure it can target ticks and any other unwanted pests.


How To Prevent Ticks

Instead of covering your yard with tick repellents, you can take a proactive approach that eliminates the habitats they thrive in. Here are a few tips on how to prevent ticks in your yard:

  • Keep the grass short: Ticks like long grass because the blades cast shadows, creating a cool environment for them to thrive in. We recommend letting your grass grow to four inches tall and then cutting it down to three inches. Cutting it any shorter than that will confuse the grass, causing it to overcompensate by growing taller faster.
  • Make a mulch barrier: If your property is adjacent to a wooded area, put a three-foot barrier of mulch between your yard and the woods. Ticks like wooded areas, but mulch is often hot and dry, which are two things ticks like to avoid.
  • Bag grass and leaves: After mowing your lawn or raking leaves, put the clippings and other debris in a bag instead of leaving them in your yard. While these clippings and leaves act as natural fertilizers for your lawn, they’re also a natural habitat for ticks. If you don’t want to waste these nutrients, you can always create a compost pile away from your house.
  • Target tick carriers: Mice and deer are the most common tick carriers, so consider taking steps to deter them from your yard. Choose plants that deer won’t eat or fence off your yard so that they can’t get in. For mice, keep your yard clear of trash and lay out tube-like traps that are stuffed with fluff soaked in insecticide. When the mice pull out the fluff to make their nests, they’ll kill the ticks they’re carrying.
  • Welcome tick-eating animals: Wild birds like robins and bluejays are natural tick predators and they can be attracted to your yard with bird feeders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Permethrin and Talstar?

Permethrin and Talstar are the two most common chemicals used in tick and pest sprays. Permethrin tends to be cheaper than Talstar and kills pests quicker after the initial application. Talstar lasts longer, killing ticks and other pests over a longer period.

How do I keep ticks off of my dog?

Most dogs are treated with flea and tick killers a few times a year. You can buy treatments in the form of liquids, chewable pills, or collars. However, if you want extra protection against ticks, you can follow these tips:

  • Keep long-haired dogs groomed so that ticks can’t hide in their fur.
  • Mix seven drops of lemon eucalyptus oil in a 32-ounce bottle of distilled water. Spray the mixture on your dog’s fur before a walk in the woods to deter ticks.
  • Use a lint roller on short-haired dogs after a walk in the woods to pick up ticks.

Do tick killers come with a garden hose concentrate?

Yes, some tick sprays come with an attachment that connects the container of concentrate to your garden hose. The pressure from the hose water will spray the insecticide for you. However, this only works for smaller yards because you’re limited to how far the hose can reach.


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Best Tick Treatments for Your Yard – Lawn Care Blog

Ticks are tiny pests that cause big problems. If you find ticks on you, your loved ones, or your dogs after spending time in your yard, it’s important to take steps to evict them from your property.

Here we will cover:

How do you know you have a tick problem?

Identifying a tick problem isn’t easy. The primary thing you’re looking for is the insects themselves, so you’ll need to get acquainted with what they look like and their habits.

What does a tick look like?

Ticks are wingless and have a flat, oval-shaped body. Nymphs and adults have eight legs and can be a grayish-white, brown, black, orange-brown, or yellowish color. There are various species in the United States including the deer tick, brown dog tick, American dog tick, and Lone Star tick. They live in different parts of the county and carry different diseases.

How big are ticks?

  • Larvae are the size of a grain of sand
  • Nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed
  • Adults are the size of an apple seed (bigger if they’re fed)

Checking for ticks

Check for ticks on yourself by wearing long-sleeved, light-colored clothing for yard work or when spending time outside, especially around the perimeter of your property. Look for ticks on your clothing. This is best done in a bathtub where you can spot any ticks that fall off the fabric. Make sure to tuck your pant legs into socks to protect your legs. 

Check your pet for ticks by running your fingers through their coat against the direction it normally lays. Stop if you feel any small bumps or see a black spec in their skin. 

Areas where ticks commonly attach to pets:

  • Head and ears
  • Toes
  • Tail
  • Groin
  • Eyelids
  • Under the collar
  • Armpits  

Areas where ticks commonly attach to people:

  • Behind ears
  • Armpits
  • Scalp
  • Stomach
  • Toes

What do you do if you find a tick on you or your pet?

If you find a tick, get a container ready to put the tick in. Ticks can get out of even tightly closed containers, so make it escape-proof by wrapping plastic wrap around the lid’s edges. You’ll want to keep it for testing if you or your animal shows signs of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease.

  • Grab a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. 
  • Get as close to the skin as possible and grasp the tick with firm pressure, then slowly pull it away from the skin with steady pressure. 
  • Check to make sure you completely removed the entire tick, then put it in the container. 
  • Clean the area with an antiseptic like rubbing alcohol. 

Monitor the site for signs of rash or infection. If you see either of these, call your vet or doctor. 

What attracts ticks to your yard in the first place?

Ticks are shy — they like their privacy. They prefer to hang out in places with plenty of coverage, shade, and moisture. 

You might think ticks live in trees because they’re often found in your hair, but they don’t travel more than a few feet in the air. Because they dry out easily, they stay close to the ground where there is more moisture. Once they’ve latched onto your leg, they make their way up your body.

Here are some places ticks like to live in your yard:

  • Tall grass
  • Shrubs
  • Ground cover
  • Fallen leaves
  • Under outdoor furniture

Ways to treat your yard for ticks

We’ll explain several options you can take to treat your yard for ticks, including broad-spectrum insecticides, tick tubes, and Insect Growth Regulators. For treatment to work, first, you need to take steps to prevent new ticks from entering your space by creating a tick-free border around your property and treating your pets. 

1. Create a tick-free border around your yard

Building a moat around your property might not be in the budget, but there are other ways to implement tick border control for your home. 

Approximately 80% of ticks stick to the outer 9 feet of a lawn. If you already have a tick problem, it’s still important to ensure new adult ticks aren’t making their way into your yard. Otherwise, all your hard work can be undone.

Ticks don’t travel far across exposed surfaces. Hedges, shrubs, and ornamental grasses at the edge of your backyard provide the perfect opportunity for ticks to latch onto you when you get home. Instead of brush, line your lawn with a 3-foot wide section of gravel, mulch, or well-trimmed turfgrass. Hardscaping elements like brick or stone pavers also discourage ticks from getting in your space.

Once you’ve created a solid border, the only way ticks will enter your property is by latching onto a host like you or your pets. Move any furniture, dog runs, and play areas into the center of your yard and away from shade. That way, you’ll be less likely to pick up ticks while enjoying your outdoor living space.

2. Treat your pets

Our furry roommates aren’t so cute when they’re bringing dangerous insects into the house. Why is treating your pets a key component of treating your yard? A single tick can produce as many as 5,000 eggs. It’s important to eradicate all the ticks in your space so your tick treatments last.

Ask your vet about tick treatments first. A report from the Natural Resources Defense Council found that some over-the-counter products like tick collars contain organophosphate compounds that have toxic effects on animals and people. Some of them mix active ingredients, which also can harm you. 

In addition to pet-safe pesticides, check your pet frequently by hand. If you walk your dog in wooded areas, you should check them daily. You don’t necessarily need a special tick comb, but it’s helpful if you want to keep your hands clean. A fine-toothed comb will do double duty as a flea finder too. 

Spot-on treatments

Nothing like the fragrance of a topical tick medication to wake you up in the morning, or the sound of your cat hissing as you try to apply it. They may be smelly, but they’re veterinarians’ preferred choice for a reason. Unlike oral medicines, topical treatments can kill ticks before they bite.

Pro Tip: Look for a product that’s a tick repellent as well as a tick killer. 

Pros: 

Easy and fast to administer
✓ Usually don’t need a prescription
✓ Also provides flea protection
✓ Doesn’t need ticks to bite before killing them
✓ Can repel ticks

Cons:

✗ Have to remember to apply it monthly 
✗ Some aren’t suitable for cats

Anti-tick shampoos

Special shampoos are available that kill ticks on contact. They’re convenient if you know your pet has a tick and don’t want to remove it while it’s alive, but they don’t offer lasting protection. 

Pros: 

✓ Doesn’t need ticks to bite before killing them
✓ Usually also kills fleas

Cons:

✗ Only kills ticks that are on your pet at the time of application
✗ Doesn’t prevent ticks from landing on your pet

Tick collars

Tick collars are a popular choice for pet owners who don’t want to deal with remembering to administer a treatment. Some of them can last up to eight months. However, as mentioned above, some flea and tick collars contain chemicals that can be toxic to you and your pet.

Pros: 

✓ No prescription required
✓ Usually provides flea protection too
✓ Convenient 

Cons:

✗ Not safe for dogs who swim or have other dogs chewing on their collar
✗ Cost more than other treatments
✗ Some products can be harmful

Tick tablets

Oral anti-tick medications are also available. Some pet owners prefer these to topical treatments because they may be easier to administer, but they only kill ticks once they bite (the mouthparts have to make contact with the pet’s bloodstream). It’s not guaranteed that oral tick products will kill all ticks soon enough to prevent disease.

Pros: 

✓ Easy to administer for squirmy pets
✓ Some work as long as three months

Cons:

✗ Requires ticks to bite before it can kill them, putting your pet at risk for tick-borne illnesses
✗ You have to remember to administer them regularly
✗ Requires a prescription

3. Treat your yard

So you’ve made a tick-free border, treated your pets, and now you’re ready to kill the existing ticks in your yard. You have a few options: A broad-spectrum insecticide spray like permethrin or bifenthrin, tick tubes, neem oil, and botanical insecticides.

Remember, don’t apply pesticides near streams or other bodies of water. They can kill aquatic life and pollute the water.

Broad-spectrum insecticide 

Broad-spectrum insecticides kill a number of different insects including ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas, among others. They’re the quickest way to get rid of pests, but the harsh chemicals can also harm beneficial insects like bees and can be toxic to cats.

The two main tick sprays used for residential tick control are permethrin and bifenthrin (also known as Talstar). Both are types of pyrethroid, which is a synthetic version of chrysanthemum flower extract that kills ticks on contact. For your yard, you’ll want to purchase liquid concentrate or a premixed solution that will be sprayed by a garden hose sprayer or pump sprayer. 

Choosing permethrin or bifenthrin: Both will get the job done and function similarly. Permethrin has stronger “knock-down” power, meaning it kills more ticks at the time of application. Bifenthrin is more effective in the long term. It’s usually a little more expensive than permethrin.  

How do permethrin and bifenthrin work? They kill insects by attacking their nervous system.

Pros: 

✓ Also kills fleas and mosquitoes
✓ Safe for dogs and humans
✓ Guaranteed to cut down the tick population

Cons:

✗ They also kill beneficial insects like bees
✗ Can pollute water 
✗ Can be toxic to cats

Cost: $30-$60

How to use a broad-spectrum insecticide:

  • To minimize the negative effects, only apply the insecticide to tick-prone environments instead of the entire yard (the outer 9 feet of your lawn and shady areas).
  • Measure the square footage you’ll be spraying by multiplying the length by width of each section, then adding them together. 
    • For example, area A has a length of 3 feet and width of 2 feet. 3 x 2 is 6 square feet.
    • Area B has a length of 6 feet and a width of 2 foot. 6 x 2 is 12 square feet. 
    • Area A (6 square feet) + Area B (12 square feet) is 18 square feet in total.  
  • Calculate how much product you need by multiplying the square footage you’ll be spraying by the amount of product recommended for 1,000 square feet, then dividing by 1,000. 
    • Let’s say you’re spraying 100 square feet, and that 8 ounces of product covers 1,000 square feet.
    • 8 x 100 = 800
    • 800 divided by 1,000 = 0.8 ounces
  • If you’re using concentrate, follow the instructions to calculate how many gallons of water you’ll mix it with. For example, a popular concentrate is Permethrin SFR. Every 1.23 ounces of product should be mixed with 1 gallon of water. Multiply 1.23 by the number of ounces you need to get the number of gallons of water to use. 
  • If it’s less than 1 ounce, it’s easier to use a 1 gallon pump sprayer. You can get these online or from home and garden stores.
  • If it’s more than 1 ounce, use a hose-end sprayer. 

How to use a hose-end sprayer:

  • Fill the reservoir with the proper amount of concentrate and water to the corresponding gallon mark. The gallon marks tell you how much water has been sprayed from your hose.
  • Connect the nozzle to your hose, making sure it’s in the off position.
  • Make sure your water is turned off and attach the reservoir to the nozzle.
  • Turn on the water and spray the areas. 
  • Leaving the deflector on sprays the water downward. To get the undersides of leaves, turn the deflector up so the water fans upward.
  • Continue spraying evenly until the water in the reservoir depletes.

Re-apply every three to four weeks for a couple of months. This will ensure all ticks are killed.

Tick tubes

This handy-dandy, environmentally friendly product targets a common source of ticks: rodents. Instead of applying an insecticide across your yard that will kill beneficial insects, tick tubes only affect insects carried by mice, rats, and chipmunks.

How do they work? The wooden tube contains cotton balls soaked in permethrin. Rodents pick up the cotton balls for making nests, and the permethrin treats their fur like a topical treatment for pets.  

How to use tick tubes:

  • Put on rubber gloves.
  • Spread out 12 tick tubes per every half-acre of property.
  • Place them in areas frequented by rodents: under bushes, under decks, along walls, and along your house’s foundation.

Pros: 

✓ Highly effective
✓ Won’t harm beneficial insects in your yard
✓ Safe for people and pets

Cons:

✗ Not safe for cats

Cost: $45-$100 per half-acre of land. We don’t recommend DIYing this — you won’t save a significant amount of money and it’s easy for homemade tick tubes to be dangerous or ineffective. Not to mention, you might be breaking the law.

Insect Growth Regulators 

Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) include anything that disrupts an insect’s life cycle. Some prevent insects from growing new exoskeletons, others prevent pupa from becoming adult insects, and a few stop insects from laying eggs. 

There are many different types of IGRs. Because not all of them kill adult ticks, they’re best used in conjunction with a broad-spectrum insecticide. If you use an IGR that prevents reproduction, it’ll take months to get the population under control.

Note on neem oil: Neem oil is a great option for an IGR. It’s a gardener’s best friend. It’s made from the naturally occurring oil derived from the neem tree. One of its ingredients, azadirachtin, makes it harder for insects to grow and lay eggs.

How do IGRs work? IGRs are like birth control for ticks. They mimic an insect’s hormones and prevent them from moving into the next life stage or from reproducing. 

How to use IGRs: Different IGR products will require different application processes. For some, you’ll follow the guidelines for applying a broad-spectrum insecticide. Others come with their own sprayers. 

In any case, identify the areas where you’ll focus your application: shady, moist spaces around your yard’s perimeter. For neem spray, apply it at dusk or dawn (it degrades in direct sunlight). 

Pros: 

✓ Safe for animals and humans
✓ Less harmful to the environment than broad-spectrum insecticides 

Cons:

✗ Weak knockdown power. You won’t see a change in population for at least a couple of weeks.

Cost: Neem spray costs $10-$30. Other IGRs for tick regulation cost between $25 and $60. 

Preventing ticks from coming back

You definitely don’t want ticks making an encore. After you’ve controlled your tick infestation, make a few changes to your lawn care rotation to prevent ticks from ever coming back.

  • Keep your lawn trim. 
  • Don’t overwater. Adjust your watering schedule to the seasons, rainfall, and your soil type.
  • Clear debris like leaves, twigs, and grass clippings.
  • Dethatch your lawn annually.
  • Defend your home against rodents by sealing up holes and trash bins. 
  • Discourage deer (which can carry ticks) with strong-smelling herb plants.

Professional pest control is available, too. If you’re not sure where to start or want an experienced team on the job, contact a company in your area.

And if you’re looking for outdoor help with your yard and property, consider calling a local pro to help get you back to enjoying your weekends.

Main Photo Credit: Erik Karits | Unsplash

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Rachel Abrams

Born and raised in Gainesville, Florida, Rachel Abrams studied creative writing at the University of Virginia. She enjoys volunteering at her neighborhood community garden and growing herbs in her New York City apartment.

Posts by Rachel Abrams

How to Get Rid of Ticks in Your Yard: A Complete Guide [2022]

Ticks: the very sight of them is enough to make most people cringe.

Unfortunately, these tiny, blood-sucking pests are common throughout the US, and many species are more than happy to set up shop in your yard.

If you’ve found ticks on your property, getting rid of them is probably your top priority.

In addition to being unsettling to look at, ticks transmit a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and more.

Did you know that close to 75% of Lyme-disease cases arise from tick bites that occur in people’s own backyards?

Fortunately, there are effective ways to get rid of fleas and ticks without making your yard into a war zone. Even better, many treatments that kill ticks will also kill fleas, chiggers, and other backyard pests.

Here at Smith’s Pest Management, we provide tick control services to help San Francisco Bay Area homeowners get rid of ticks in their yards. In this blog, we’re sharing our tips and tricks.

Let’s dive in.

What are Ticks?

While many people think ticks are insects, they’re actually arachnids – in the same family as scorpions, mites, and spiders. There are many different varieties of ticks in the US, many of which carry diseases.

Wondering how to identify ticks?

Different species of ticks can be gray, white, brown, black, reddish-brown, or even yellow in color. Adults have flat, oval-shaped, wingless bodies.

When ticks have a blood meal, their bodies will swell and become round, like a kernel of corn. While nymphs and adult ticks have eight legs, tick larvae only have six.

As larvae, ticks are about the size of a grain of sand.  Ticks can bite humans and animals at all stages of their life cycles.

Why is My Yard Full of Ticks?

What causes ticks in a yard?

The answer is it depends.

Deer can bring ticks to your yard, as can small rodents.

Once they’re in your yard, ticks will find an ideal habitat to establish themselves. All species of ticks love darkness and moisture.

Their favorite hiding spots include areas that offer tall grass, moist dirt, and plenty of shade.

If your yard is mowed, ticks may still establish themselves in the outer areas, where they can find low-hanging shrubs or ground cover plants to use as shelter.

How do I Know if My Yard Has Ticks?

Many people assume that, because they have deer in their yard, they also have ticks. There’s no way to know if ticks are present, though, unless you test for them.

Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to figure out if you have ticks in your yard:

1. Tick dragging

Here’s how to do it:

Grab a light-colored sheet or towel and drag it through the yard.

Once you’ve pulled the sheet through the yard, take it to a grass-free area, like a driveway, and inspect it carefully for ticks. If you find ticks, place them in a sealed Ziploc bag and destroy them.

2. Check your pets

Another way to identify ticks in your yard is to check your pets after they come inside. If you find ticks on your outdoor pets, there’s a good chance they’re picking the ticks up in your yard.

To check pets for ticks, the CDC recommends running fingers through their hair and using gentle pressure to check for any bumps.

A tick will feel like a hard, small mass.

3. Use a flashlight to spot ticks

You can also check the yard for ticks manually. Using a flashlight, inspect the following locations for signs of ticks:

  • Along rock, brick, or retaining walls.
  • In areas of dense or tall brush or grass.
  • In piles of yard debris, including leaf piles and firewood piles.
  • Places where your pets spend time, like dog houses or outdoor kennels.
  • In trees or landscaping bushes.
  • In areas where leaf or other organic debris have collected.

How to Get Rid of Ticks in the Yard Naturally: 3 Home Remedies

Nobody wants ticks in their yard, but how do you get rid of them? Luckily, there are many effective natural home remedies that are safe for dogs and other pets, and effective at deterring ticks.

Here’s what we recommend:

1. Use a cedar oil spray

One of our favorite natural tick repellents is cedar oil spray.  Cedar oil is a natural, non-toxic, effective tick repellent. If you’re going out hiking, you can spray it directly on your skin or clothing.

It’s safe for use on humans and pets.

While you can buy cedar oil tick spray at most home and garden stores, you can also make your own by mixing 60 drops of cedarwood essential oil into a dark-colored spray bottle filled with water and 1 ounce of grain alcohol.

Shake the mixture well and spray anywhere you’ve noticed tick activity.

2. Use eucalyptus or neem oil

Both eucalyptus and neem oil will kill ticks on contact.

To use these essential oils to get rid of ticks, combine 4 ounces of purified water into a spray bottle, along with 30 drops of your carrier oil of choice. Shake well and spray anywhere you want to kill ticks.

3. Use diatomaceous earth

What kills ticks in the yard naturally?

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a powder made from fossilized diatoms and is one of the most effective ways to get rid of pests organically.

While it’s completely safe for kids, pets, and people, DE is dangerous for pests.

When ticks encounter DE, it will dehydrate them immediately, killing them within hours.

To use DE as a tick-killer, sprinkle it anywhere you’ve noticed ticks in your yard. You can also use it to create a barrier between wooded and grassy areas.

Re-apply the DE every few weeks, or after heavy rain.

3 Effective Conventional Ways to Get Rid of Ticks

If you want to take a more hard-handed approach to ticks, try these conventional options:

1. Use a fogger

If you want an option that instantly kills ticks, you can consider a yard fogger.

EPA-registered foggers will kill fleas, flea eggs, ticks, lice, mites, and other pests. For best results, look for a fogger that includes an insecticide formulated specifically for ticks, as this will work fastest and most efficiently.

2. Use permethrin yard spray

When it comes to pesticides, permethrin is one of the most effective at killing ticks.

For best results, choose a permethrin insecticide spray that’s safe to apply to the surfaces and plants you want to target. Read the product label closely, and make sure to wear protective clothing as you apply.

3. Use acaricides

Acaricides are a family of tick pesticides that the CDC says can reduce the number of ticks in your yard. While they won’t get rid of ticks on their own, they can be effective when combined with other tick control methods.

Because acaricides can be dangerous and highly toxic, we recommend working with a professional pest management company, like Smith’s, to apply the pesticides and keep kids, pets, and other animals safe in the process.

How do Pest Control Experts Get Rid of Ticks?

When you hire a tick control expert, you expect great results.

Here’s the process that the team at Smith’s Pest Management follows to get rid of ticks on large properties and small yards alike:

1. Tick inspection

When you contact Smith’s Pest Management, we’ll send a trained, certified pest control technician to perform a thorough tick inspection.

We’ll evaluate your property for any signs of tick activity, and work with you to determine where ticks might be coming from, and why they’re so attracted to your yard.

We’ll also sample areas around your home and property to identify the presence of other organisms that could be serving as hosts for ticks, such as small rodents.

2. Treatment

Once we’ve completed our tick inspection, we’ll begin our treatment regimen.

Depending on the severity of your tick infestation, these treatments may include the use of backpack sprayers, liquid residual products, power sprayers, and more.

We’ll apply a customized mix of granular products, dust, aerosols, and liquid residual products, making sure to focus on the exterior of your home and the span of your yard.

These treatments will eliminate ticks on contact, and help you reclaim your tick-free yard.

3. Follow-up treatments

Once we’ve delivered your primary treatment, we’ll schedule needed follow-up treatments to help your yard stay tick-free.

We’ll build a treatment timeline around your schedule and continue monitoring your property’s tick levels to ensure a pest-free outdoor space.

How to Keep Ticks out of Your Yard

It’s important to take preventative action to keep ticks out of your yard, and away from your pets and family. Here are the simple tricks we recommend”

1. Get rid of other pests

Pests like raccoons, rats, mice, squirrels, and other rodents can introduce pests into your yard. To get rid of ticks, it’s important to address these underlying infestations, as well.

Mark areas where you’ve seen mice or other pests and hire a pest management team like Smith’s to help you get rid of pests at the source.

2. Practice good yard hygiene

Ticks love to hide in dark, sheltered places like wood piles, leaf piles, and scrub brushes. With this in mind, follow these tips to make your yard uninhabitable for them:

  • Get rid of any yard debris. If you rake leaves in the fall, avoid leaving piles sitting around. instead, bag them in leaf bags and dispose of them properly. If you burn firewood for heat, keep it stacked neatly in a dry area. This keeps rodents away and prevents them from carrying ticks into your yard. Finally, get rid of any old furniture, trash, or organic matter in your yard, which could be giving ticks a place to hide.
  • Maintain your lawn. Cut your grass regularly, remove tall grasses or shrubs, and be sure to pick up all grass cuttings promptly.
  • Create a barrier. Keep all playground equipment, patios, and decks at least 8 feet from the edge of your lawn.
  • Construct fences. Use tall fences to keep deer, raccoons, and stray dogs from entering your yard and bringing ticks with them.

3. Create a barrier

The CDC recommends keeping a 3-foot barrier of gravel or wood chips between wooded areas and laws to make it harder for ticks to migrate into recreational areas.

4. Plant tick-repellent landscaping plants

Some landscaping plants repel ticks. Garlic, sage, mint, lavender, rosemary, marigold, and beautyberry are some of the most effective tick-deterrent plants.

For best results, plant these varieties in landscaping borders, around decks and pet runs, around patios, and anywhere else you’d like to keep ticks away from.

You can also put these varieties in containers and place them near windows to discourage ticks from entering your home.

Are Ticks Invading Your San Francisco Bay Area Yard? We’re Here to Help!

If ticks are taking over your property, you don’t have to grin and bear it. Here at Smith’s Pest Management, we help homeowners just like you get rid of ticks on their property.

Contact us today to learn more about our tick control services or to request your free quote now!

TERRO® Tick And Flea Yard Spray

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  • Kills deer ticks, brown dog ticks, fleas, and other crawling insects
  • For use on lawns, flower gardens, patios, trees, and shrubs
  • Kills on contact and keeps killing for up to 4 weeks
  • Hose-end sprayer attaches easily for quick use
  • Treats up to 5,300 sq ft per bottle

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Description

Best Used For


Lawns


Shrubs


Flowers


Roses


Patios

TERRO

® Tick and Flea Yard Spray

Tick And Flea Yard Spray kills off disease-carrying ticks and fleas, as well as other insects. This hose-end sprayer is designed for simple use around the home. Spray the lawn, flower beds, patios, and more with this easy-to-use yard spray. One application lasts up to 4 weeks, and TERRO® Tick and Flea Yard Spray kills insects on contact.

How to Use

Start by shaking the bottle before use to ensure proper mixture and distribution. Attach the sprayer head to a hose, bend the small plastic tab back, and turn the knob clockwise to the ON position. Turn on to spray the area with TERRO® Tick and Flea Yard Spray. Once you are complete, turn the plastic tab back and the water flow will stop. One application will last for up to 4 weeks!

Kills On Contact

Fleas and ticks can carry concerning diseases like Lyme, typhus, and the plague. We all tend to worry about ticks while hiking or out in nature, but they also live in the yard. Kill deer ticks, brown dog ticks, fleas, and other insects like stink bugs, a variety of worms, and aphids, on contact with this spray. Don’t let worry consume you, simply get TERRO® Tick and Flea Yard Spray and apply monthly for peace of mind.

TERRO

® Tick And Flea Yard Spray Product Details

Interested in learning more about TERRO® Tick And Flea Yard Spray? Take a closer look at the in-depth specifications for this product.







TERRO® Tick And Flea Yard Spray
Model # T1240
Includes (1) 32 oz bottle of Tick and Flea Yard Spray
Eliminates Lawn Pests:

  • Deer ticks
  • Brown dog ticks
  • Fleas
  • Ants
  • And more


Tree, shrub, rose & flower pests:

  • Aphids
  • Bagworms
  • Cicadas
  • Exposed Thrips
  • And more
Active Ingredients Permethrin (2. 5%)
Recommended Usage

  • Lawns
  • Patios
  • Flower gardens
  • Rose bushes
  • And more

Specs







TERRO® Tick & Flea Yard Spray
Model Number T1240
Weight 2.36 lb
Dimensions 2.3 x 5.25 x 11.6 in
Includes One 32 oz bottle of Tick and Flea Yard Spray
Active Ingredients Permethrin (2.5%)

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Q&A

What are the ingredients of this spray?

Question by: Lisa van Leeuwen on Oct 13, 2021, 12:19 PM

The active ingredient in this product is Permethrin.

Answer by: Kathryn Tator on Oct 13, 2021, 1:19 PM

How long til yard is safe for animals to go on?

Question by: Rachel Hartshorn on Jul 1, 2021, 8:00 PM

Pets should not be allowed in treated areas until the spray has dried.

Answer by: Woodstream (Admin) on Jul 5, 2021, 8:00 PM

is this nsafe to use around pets and children

Question by: tonya on May 10, 2021, 8:00 PM

This product should not be applied directly to people or pets and they should be kept out of the treated area until the product has dried.

Answer by: Woodstream (Admin) on May 11, 2021, 8:00 PM

Is it harmful to animals

Question by: Maxine Dwyer on May 22, 2021, 8:00 PM

When applied as directed, this product is safe for use around pets.

Answer by: Woodstream (Admin) on May 23, 2021, 8:00 PM

How to Control Ticks in Your Yard

Prevention is often the best strategy

By

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. He was in the nursery business for over a decade, working with a large variety of plants. David has been interviewed by numerous newspapers and national U.S. magazines, such as Woman’s World and American Way.

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Editorial Process

Updated on 02/11/22

Reviewed by

Kathleen Miller

Reviewed by
Kathleen Miller

Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. She founded Gaia’s Farm and Gardens, a working sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming.

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The Spruce / Alex Dos Diaz

Project Overview

Ticks can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and several other ailments, though most bites don’t result in illness. But it’s still important to consider ways to minimize their presence in your yard. There are multiple ways to approach this. You can keep ticks from coming into your yard by restricting animals that carry ticks, such as deer, and by making your landscape less tick-friendly. You also can deter or kill ticks by applying pesticides along the yard perimeter, though these products often come with their own health and environmental risks.

Warning

Be careful when applying pesticides, as both the chemical and organic products can have toxic properties. Read the product’s instructions and safety label closely. Wear protective clothing, including a breathing mask. And keep pets and children out of the area.

How to Control Ticks in Your Yard

Equipment / Tools

  • Garden sprayer with hose attachment
  • Protective clothing (long pants and shirt, breathing protection)

Materials

  • Organic or chemical pesticide

The Spruce / Almar Creative

  1. Choose a Pesticide

    You have two options when spraying for ticks: organic controls or synthetic chemical acaricides.

    Organic controls: Some experts recommend natural tick repellents that contain Metarhizium brunneum or Metarhizium anisopliae fungi as the active ingredient. These fungi already exist naturally in the soil, and studies have shown them to be effective in controlling tick populations while not being harmful to other bugs. However, it’s important to note that many organic controls aren’t as effective as potent synthetic chemicals. And they might require more applications to get the job done.

    Synthetic chemical acaricides: Chemical treatments are often categorized as acaricides, a class of pesticides that targets ticks, mites, and other related invertebrates. The chemicals tend to be similar in these products, so the choice will depend on your preference. They typically come in one of three forms: a ready-to-use product that attaches to a garden hose, a ready-to-spray product that comes in a pump bottle, and a spray that you mix yourself and apply with your own garden sprayer.

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  2. Plan Your Attack

    The correct place to apply pesticide is any border between a potential tick habitat (woods, brush, etc.) and your lawn. Spray several feet onto both sides of such a border. This practice is termed “perimeter spraying.”

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  3. Apply the Spray

    Put on your protective clothing and breathing mask. Then, attach the hose sprayer, or mix your pesticide in a garden sprayer. Apply the spray all over the potential tick habitat, focusing on the border areas. Especially if you’re using synthetic chemicals, avoid widespread application across your entire lawn. Keep children and pets out of the location until the spray dries or for however long the safety label recommends.

    Tip

    Before deciding to do it yourself, consider calling in a pro. Professionals have more powerful spraying equipment, allowing for better penetration of the pesticide, and they know how to safely handle the chemicals.

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

When to Spray for Ticks

The best time of year to spray is when the ticks are in their early nymphal stage. For deer ticks, this means spraying in May or early June. It’s generally sufficient to spray once in late spring, as the feeding and reproduction season for ticks is relatively short. By mid-summer, the ticks are unlikely to be much of a problem.

Preventing Ticks

Any pesticide comes with one enormous liability: It will kill other creatures in addition to the targeted pest. If you’re applying a broad-spectrum pesticide, you might be killing many beneficial insects, such as honeybees, ladybugs, and mantises. Responsible gardeners need to think long and hard about using such chemicals. If you are environmentally conscious, first try organic products combined with prevention methods.

Click Play to Learn How to Control Ticks in Your Yard

If you’re specifically trying to control deer ticks, one of your objectives should be to keep deer and similar animals away from your landscape. There are three common ways to achieve this goal:

  • Use deer repellents.
  • Erect deer fencing.
  • Plant only deer-resistant plants.

More generally speaking, experts recommend creating an environment in which ticks are less likely to survive. Ticks need two things: humidity and a host upon which to feed. In addition to deer, common hosts are pets, rodents, and birds.

Certain landscaping changes can help. For instance, you can modify your yard, so you won’t brush up against shrubs when walking along pathways. Dense ground covers can also harbor ticks, so consider removing them. A neat, tidy yard with dry conditions and minimal wildlife holds no appeal for ticks.

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Tips for Preventing Ticks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers this list of preventive measures to discourage ticks from your yard:

  • Remove leaf litter, tall grasses, and brush.
  • Add a 3-foot barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and a wooded area to restrict tick migration.
  • Keep your grass as short as possible by regularly mowing.
  • Neatly stack any wood pile, and keep the wood dry. This helps to deter rodents.
  • Don’t place playground equipment on a border near trees. Likewise, don’t build a deck or patio close to a wooded area if possible. Try to pick a sunny location that ticks won’t like.
  • Discourage unwelcome animals (such as deer, raccoons, and stray pets) from entering your yard by building a fence.
  • Don’t leave old furniture or trash in your yard, as it can provide shelter for ticks.

The Spruce / Almar Creative

5 Ways to Repel Ticks Naturally

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Ticks and Lyme Disease. Johns Hopkins Medicine

  2. Fischhoff, Ilya R. , et al. The Tick Biocontrol Agent Metarhizium Brunneum (= M. Anisopliae) (Strain F52) Does Not Reduce Non-Target Arthropods. Plos One, vol. 12, no. 11, 2017, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0187675

  3. Preventing Ticks in the Yard. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Acaricides intended for individual protection of people from tick attacks

Acaricidal agents intended for personal protection of people from tick attacks

Individual protection of the population from attacks of ticks of the genus Ixodes – the main vectors of tick-borne viral encephalitis and tick-borne borreliosis should be carried out primarily with the help of highly effective acaricidal, insectoacaricidal and insectoacaricidal-repellent agents in aerosol packages, approved for use specifically for this purpose.

Such personal protective equipment must be used for processing outerwear and other fabric products in accordance with the label texts developed during the state registration of these products. After 3-5 minutes after contact with the treated tissue, the mites become unable to stick and fall off the clothes. Subject to the rules of behavior in the natural area and the method of using the above means, almost complete protection against ticks is possible. The duration of the protective action of the fabric treated with these agents lasts up to 14 days.

Along with insectoacaricidal (acaricidal) agents, it is possible to use repellent agents that do not kill, but repel a significant number of ticks. The main purpose of these products is highly effective protection against flying blood-sucking insects when applied to the skin and clothing. Protection against ticks is possible when the products are applied only to clothing in the manner indicated in the labels developed during the state registration of these products.

Repellent products provide less reliable protection of people from tick attacks than insectoacaricidal (acaricidal) and insectocaricidal-repellent products. The duration of the protective action against mites of tissue treated with these agents lasts up to 5 days. Labels on all repellent products approved for protection against ticks must state: “The product does not provide complete protection against ticks. Be careful!”.

insectoacaricidal (acaricidal) agents, intended for individual protection of people from an attack of the genus Ixodes

9000

– “Preitics” Brusok “POLS” POLS “NIL , Novosibirsk, Russia, for IP Dobronravov Petr Nikolaevich, Novosibirsk, Russia)

in propellant-free aerosol packaging:

– “COVER-ANTIKLESCH” (LLC “Perfume Style”, Elektrogorsk, Moscow Region, Russia)

– “ANTIKLESHCH-VESTA” (LLC “VITAMIN+”, Moscow, Russia) Antiklesch” (CJSC “INVENT”, Moscow, Russia)

– “Gardex Extreme (Gardex Extreme) Spray against ticks” (LLC “Aerosol Novomoskovsk”, Novomoskovsk, Russia), LLC “UNIKO” settlement Biokombinat, Russia, LLC “Snezhana Ko” Moscow, Russia, CJSC “Invent”, Moscow, Russia by order and NTD LLC “Paritet”, Moscow, Russia)

– “KOMAROFF-antiklesch” (JSC “Khimik”, Luga, Leningrad region, Russia)

– “Mosquill antiklesch” (LLC “Lafitel”, Moscow, Russia) NP CJSC “Rosagroservice”, Moscow, Russia)

– “Tornado-anti-tick” (LLC “Delta-SK”, Moscow, Russia)

– “Tundra-Protection against ticks” (LLC “Flavosintez”, Moscow, Russia)

Aerosol:

– Aerosol from ticks “DETA” (JSC “Khimik”, Luga, Leningrad region, Russia)

– “Briz-Antiklesch” (LLC “Spetsbioservice”, Tyumen, Russia)

– “Gardeks Extreme (Gardex Extreme) Aerosol against ticks without alcohol” (firm “Tosvar S. R. L.” (“Tosvar S. R. L.”, Italy, by order of OOO “UPEKO”, Moscow, Russia)

– “Gardeks Extreme ( Gardex Extreme) Aerosol from ticks” (firm “Tosvar S. R. L.” (“Tosvar S. R. L.”), Italy, OOO “Aerosol Novomoskovsk”, Novomoskovsk, Tula Region, Russia, by order of OOO “UPECO”, Moscow Moscow, Russia)

– “Domovoy Proshka-Antiklesch” (Kvad LLC, Krasnodar, Russia, for Dezprom LLC, Moscow, Russia)

– “Maximum-antiklesch” (Kvad LLC, Krasnodar) , Russia)

– “Picnic Super (Picnic Super) – anti-tick” (JSC “Arnest”, Nevinnomyssk, Russia)

– “Reftamid Taezhny” (JSC “Sibiar”, Novosibirsk, Russia)

\u003d “Reftamid® Extra Antiklesch” (JSC “Sibiar”, Novosibirsk, Russia)

Insectoacaricidal-repellent agents, intended for individual protection of people from an attack by ticks of the genus Ixodes

in a unspooped aerosol packaging:

– “Kapkan -Etiklesh” (Victoria Agio “, LLC” Victoria Agro “, LLC” Victoria “, LLC” Victoria ” Krasnodar, Russia)

– “Mite-kaput spray” (LLC “Your economy”, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)

– “MEDILIS-comfort” (LLC “MediLIS Laboratory”, Moscow, Russia) .

– “Medifox-antiklesch” and “Medifox-antiklesch-2” (LLC NPC “Fox and Co”, Moscow, Russia)

– “Moskitol spray Special protection against ticks” (LLC “BIOGARD”, Moscow, Russia)

– “Spray against ticks” (LLC “TsSP Technoexport”, town of Redkino, Tver region, Russia, for CJSC “TPK Technoexport”, Sergiev Posad, Moscow region, Russia)

– “Tornado spray from ticks and mosquitoes” (CJSC “NPF “Ekoprom”, settlement

Tomilino, Moscow region, Russia)”.

– “Fumitoks -Antiklesh” (CJSC “Invent”, Moscow, Russia)

in aerosol packaging:

– “Acropal Anticlesh” (Aerosol Novomoskovsk LLC, g.

– Aerosol against ticks and mosquitoes “DETA” (JSC Khimik, Luga, Leningrad region, Russia) )

– “Aerosol against ticks and mosquitoes” (JSC “Arnest”, Nevinnomyssk, Russia)

– Aerosol from ticks and mosquitoes (OOO Aerosol Novomoskovsk, Novomoskovsk, Tula region, Russia)

– Gardex Baby (Gardex Baby) Aerosol from ticks and mosquitoes for clothes Novomoskovsk, Tula region, Russia, for OOO “UPEKO”, Moscow, Russia)

– “DEFI-antiklesch” (JSC “Khiton”, Kazan, Russia)

– “Mite-kaput aerosol” ( LLC “Vashe Khozyaistvo”, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)

– “Komareks Antiklesch” (JSC “Arnest”, Nevinnomyssk, Russia, for JSC Concern “KALINA”, Yekaterinburg, Russia)

– “Mosquitol Special protection against ticks aerosol” (firm “AVEFLOR, a. s.” (“AVEFLOR, a.s.”, Czech Republic, for OOO “BIOGARD”, Russia)

– “Mosquitol Special protection against ticks” (LLC “Aerosol Novomoskovsk”, Novomoskovsk, Tula region, Russia, by order and NTD LLC “BIOGARD”, Moscow, Russia)

ticks, currently 3 remedies (“MEDILIS-tsiper”, “Cifox”, “Alpicid”) are allowed for use by the population in everyday life for self-treatment of areas that are in personal use , in accordance with the texts of the labels, which were specially developed at the FBUN Research Institute of Disinfectology for the population.

Repellents designed for personal protection of people from the attack of ticks of the genus Ixodes

in a dispropellate aerosol packaging:

– Absolute Garant 50 (CJSC Garant, Russia)

– Antikleshche Spray Repellent (Floresan LLC ” , Moscow, Russia),

– “Biban” (firm “Krka” JSC, Novo mesto, Slovenia)

– “Gal-RET-KL” (JSC “Lobvinsky biochemical plant”, Lobva, Russia ),

– “Gardex Extreme (Gardex Extreme) Spray against mosquitoes” (LLC “UNIKO”, Russia, LLC “IQ-Cosmetic”, Russia, for LLC “UPECO”, Russia)

– “KAMARA ANTIKLESHCH” (LLC “Kemiline Dmitrov”, Nekrasovsky settlement, Moscow region, Russia) TPK Technoexport”, Sergiev Posad, Moscow Region, Russia)

– “Lyutonya Spray” (LLC “Vashe Khozyaistvo”, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) “, France)

– “Mosquitol spray “PROFESSIONAL PROTECTION” (LLC “BIOGARD”, Moscow, Russia)

– “Mosquitol Spray Super Active Protection” (LLC “BIOGARD”, Moscow, Russia)

– “Mosquitoprotect” (LLC “Center of Modern Technologies”, Moscow, Russia)

– “Nekusin” (ZAO “Aleksandrovsky plant of household chemicals”, Alexandrov, Russia)

– “Anti-gnus” long-acting spray against ticks and blood-sucking insects Petersburg, Russia)

– “Picnic Bio Active Spray” (JSC Arnest, Nevinnomyssk, Tula Region, Russia)

– Spray repellent “Komareks STRENGTHENED PROTECTION” (LLC Concern “KALINA”, Yekaterinburg, Russia) STOKO Anti Insect (Vifor Ltd. , Switzerland, commissioned by Evonik Stockhausen GmbH, Germany)

aerosol:

– “BROS aerosol against mosquitoes and ticks MAX” (firm “BROS Sp.j.”, Poznań, Poland)

– “Picnic Bio Active” (JSC “Arnest”, Nevinnomyssk, Russia)

– “Akroftal Ultraplus” (LLC “Aerosol Novomoskovsk”, Novomoskovsk, Tula region, Russia, by order and scientific and technical documentation of CJSC “Schelkovo Agrokhim” “, Schelkovo, Moscow Region, Russia)

– “Ultrathon Aerosol” (“IKI Manufacturing Co.” Inc. (“IKI enufekchuring Ko.” Inc.), USA, by order and NTD “3M Company”, USA)

– “BRIZ-PROF” (LLC “Spetsbioservice”, Tyumen, Russia)

– “Gal-RET” (LLC “TIL”, Perm, Russia)

– “Gardex Extreme (Gardex Extreme) SUPER Aerosol repellent from mosquitoes, midges and other insects” (firm “Tosvar S. R. L.” (“Tosvar S. R. L.”) Italy, the company “Koster Aerosol Valf San. A. Sh., Turkey, Aerosol Novomoskovsk LLC, Novomoskovsk

Tula region, Russia, by order of YuPEKO LLC, Moscow, Russia)

– “Gardex Extreme” Aerosol from all flying blood-sucking insects and mites” (OOO “Aerosol Novomoskovsk”, Novomoskovsk, Tula region, Russia, by order and NTD LLC “UPEKO”, Moscow, Russia)

– “Gardex Extreme (Gardex Extreme) Aerosol from midges and mosquitoes” (LLC “Aerosol Novomoskovsk”, Novomoskovsk, Tula region, Russia, by order and NTD LLC “UPEKO”, Moscow, Russia)

– ” Gardex Extreme (Gardex Extreme) Mosquito repellant aerosol” (firm “Tosvar S. R. L.” (“Tosvar S. R. L.”) Italy, Aerosol Novomoskovsk LLC, Novomoskovsk, Tula Region, Russia, by order of UPEKO LLC “, Moscow, Russia)

– “Gardex Extreme (Gardex Extreme) Aerosol-repellent from midges” (firm “Tosvar S. R. L.” (“Tosvar S. R. L.”), Italy, or Aerosol Novomoskovsk LLC , Novomoskovsk, Tula region, Russia, by order of UPECO LLC, Moscow, Russia)

– “DETA – aerosol against midges and ticks” (JSC “Khimik”, Luga, Leningrad region, Russia) Luga, Leningrad region, Russia)

– “DETA AQUA (AQUA) – professional aerosol” (JSC “Khimik”, Luga, Leningrad region, Russia)

– “DETA-special aerosol” (JSC “Khimik”, Luga, Leningrad region, Russia)

– “DETA-VOKKO” (JSC “Khimprom”, Volgograd, Russia)

– “Defi-anti-mosquito. Intensive protection” (JSC “KHITON”, Kazan, Russia) Russia, OOO “Aerosol-Novomoskovsk”, Novomoskovsk, Tula region, Russia, for CJSC “Skinkea”, Moscow, Russia)

– “Protective aerosol against blood-sucking insects and mites “Reftamid® maximum”” (JSC “Sibiar “, Novosibirsk, Russia)

– “Crips (CREEPS) Repellent” (LLC “KVAD-PRO”, urban settlement Afipsky, Russia, JSC “Sibiar”, Novosibirsk, Russia, CJSC “North-West Company” VELV “”, St. Petersburg, Russia, OJSC “Khiton”, Kazan, Russia, LLC “Aerosol-Novomoskovsk”, Novomoskovsk, Tula region, Russia, for LLC “Dezprom”, Russia)

– “Lyutonya-aerosol” (Vashe Khozyaistvo LLC, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) by order and NTD UK BIOGARD LLC, Moscow, Russia)

– Mosquitol Aerosol Super Active Protection (AVEFLOR, a.s., Czech Republic, for LLC ” BIOGARD”, Russia)

– “Moskitol Super Active protection” (LLC “Aerosol Novomoskovsk”, Novomoskovsk, Tula region, Russia, by order and R&D LLC “BIOGARD”, Moscow, Russia)

– “OFF! Extreme (OFF! Extreme)” (Farmol Safca S. p. A.), Italy, or ColepCCL Polska “), Poland)

– “Reftamid maximum” (JSC “Sibiar”, Novosibirsk, Russia)

Spray against ticks for dogs, Bars insectoacaricidal flea spray – instructions for use, description of the drug – AVZ

Benefits

  • Highly effective against ticks and fleas.
  • Protection against insects 1 month, against ticks 2 weeks.
  • Ideal for insecticide and acaricidal treatment of both the animal itself and its habitats.

Composition and pharmacological properties.

Contains fipronil as an active ingredient.

Fipronil has a pronounced contact and intestinal insecticidal action on the larval and sexually mature phases of development of fleas, lice, withers, ixodid and sarcoptoid ticks parasitizing on dogs, cats, ferrets and ornamental rodents.

After spraying the skin and hair of the animal, fipronil is gradually distributed over the entire surface of the body and, practically not being absorbed into the systemic circulation, accumulates in the epidermis, hair follicles and sebaceous glands, providing a long-term contact insecticidal effect, protecting animals from repeated attacks of insects for at least 1 month , from ixodid ticks – at least 2 weeks.

Indications for use.

For the treatment of dogs, cats, ornamental ferrets, chinchillas, guinea pigs, rats and hamsters with entomosis (lice, fleas, withers), sarcoptoidosis (sarcoptic mange, notoedrosis), cheilethiellosis and damage to animals by ixodid ticks, as well as to prevent the attack of ectoparasites on animals.

Contraindications.

Individual hypersensitivity of the animal to the components of the drug (including a history of fipronil).

The drug should not be used in nursing, infectious diseases and convalescent animals. Pregnant and lactating females, kittens and puppies of dogs and ferrets under 10 weeks of age and rodents under 2 weeks of age.

Doses and methods of application.

Animals are treated outdoors or in a well-ventilated room with open windows (windows), away from open flames, after removing cages with decorative birds from the room and covering aquariums with fish.

To prevent licking of the drug, the animal is put on a muzzle, a neck collar, or the jaws are fixed with a loop of braid, which are removed after the skin and hair are completely dry.

Before use, shake the bottle with the drug and, holding it vertically, press the spray head, directing the aerosol torch onto the surface to be treated from a distance of 25–30 cm.

One press on the spray head when using a 200 ml bottle provides a dose of 0.5 ml, when using a 100 ml bottle – 0.25 ml of the drug.

To kill insects and prevent attacks on animals by ixodid ticks, the entire body of the animal is treated with a spray against hair growth, slightly moisturizing the hair (in animals of long-haired breeds, the hair is lifted by hand, applying the drug to the skin and the base of the hair).

The dose of the drug, depending on the condition of the coat, is 0.5-1.0 ml per 1 kg of animal weight, which is achieved, respectively, by one and two clicks on the spray head of the bottle. Covering the eyes of the animal, treat the auricles and chest, gently rub the drug around the eyes and nose with the fingertips (in a glove), then treat the neck, trunk, limbs, abdomen and tail. 20 minutes after treatment, the animal’s hair is combed with a comb.

Repeated treatments are carried out according to indications, but not more than once a month against insects and not more than once every fourteen days against ixodid ticks (during the season of their parasitism).

In order to prevent re-infestation by fleas, bedding, blankets and other pet care items are treated with a spray at the rate of 2 ml (four clicks on the spray head) per 1 m2 of the treated surface. For three days, the animal is not allowed to come into contact with the treated items, and before subsequent use, they are washed (washed) with detergents.

When cats are affected by notoedrosis, and dogs are affected by sarcoptic mange, the drug is applied to the affected areas of the body previously cleared of scabs with the capture of healthy borderline skin up to 1 cm at the rate of 1 ml (two clicks on the spray head) per 10 cm2 of the affected area of ​​the animal’s body. The treatment is carried out two to four times with an interval of 7-10 days until the clinical recovery of the animal, which is confirmed by two negative results of acarological studies.

Animals with extensive lesions are treated in two doses with an interval of 1 day, applying the drug to the affected areas first of one and then the other half of the body.

In case of damage by ectoparasites of decorative rodents, the drug is evenly applied to the coat at the rate of: hamsters – 0.25 ml per animal; chinchillas, guinea pigs and rats – 0.25 ml per 100 g of animal weight.

Side effects.

Side effects and complications when using the drug in accordance with the instructions, as a rule, are not observed. With increased individual sensitivity of the animal to the active components of the drug and the appearance of allergic reactions, the spray is washed off with water and shampoo and further use of the drug is stopped.

Release form.

Leopard spray insectoacaricidal for dogs. Polyethylene bottles of 100 ml in cardboard boxes and 200 ml

The biologist named ways to protect against ticks – RBC

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Photo: Sergey Vedyashkin / AGN “Moskva”

To protect yourself from ticks, you need to dress properly when going out into nature, Natalia Shashina, a leading researcher at the Research Institute of Disinfectology of Rospotrebnadzor, told RBC. According to her, most often ticks move to people from the grass.

“Ticks live where there is vegetation, especially the forest floor. They crawl onto the grass, sit there with their front pair of legs outstretched, and wait for an animal or person to pass by. Then the tick clings to it and begins to move along the negative geotaxis – that is, against the force of the Earth’s gravity, always upwards. Therefore, trousers should be tucked into boots or socks with a tight elastic band, a shirt into trousers. The main thing is that the tick cannot quickly crawl under your clothes, ”she explained.

According to the scientist, every 10-15 minutes you need to examine yourself and other people for the presence of ticks. If this is not possible, it is necessary to use chemical means of protection.

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According to Shashina, repellents based on diethyltoluamide are effective. “This tool repels up to 95% of ticks. More effective are insecticides that kill insects. The only danger is that these chemicals must be properly sprayed onto clothes, prevented from getting into the nose and mouth, and not given to children,” Shashina noted.

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The biologist stressed that it is necessary to use Russian products, since they were tested specifically on Russian ticks, and, for example, other types of arachnids are common in the United States (these include ticks).

RBC’s interlocutor also reminded that ticks are carriers of many infections, the most dangerous of which are borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis.

According to her, the peak of tick activity in Moscow and the Moscow region usually falls on the last ten days of May – the first ten days of June. “In July, their numbers will drop dramatically, but in the second half of August there will be a second rise, although less intense than the first,” Shashina concluded.

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How to apply the tick spray: choosing a product and using it correctly

Protective sprays (aerosols) against ticks are great for dealing with ticks. This is perhaps the only means of extreme protection that will not fail at the right time. But choosing a spray from ticks is not so simple. There are at least three types of such funds, categorized by profile and method of application. Today, in the framework of this article, we will talk about all available.

This is not an advertising article, so brands and companies will be overwritten. We do not recommend any manufacturer. The article describes the categories of funds by scope.

Let’s start with theory. Mite sprays (and aerosols) are spray cans containing substances that kill or repel or paralyze insects. As a rule, no one directly produces protection against ticks. All drugs of similar action are capable of killing both mosquitoes, ants and cockroaches. It’s just that in the case of the latter, the usual dose may not be enough, but I think you get the point.

Sprays (aerosols) against ticks are applied as on the body to prevent the parasite from puncturing and gaining a foothold; and on clothing, to prevent even contact with the skin. By profile, they are always divided into repellent, acaricidal and insecticidal-repellent. Actually, only these three types are widely used. Each of them does its job, but of course each is effective in different ways. For example, some kill insects by paralyzing their nervous system, while others simply scare them away, making it difficult to focus on the smell of the victim. Which one to choose is a difficult question. But first, let’s figure out which of them is which.

Repellent

These are insect repellents that easily repel, but do not kill. In fact, these are some kind of natural poisons extracted from chamomile or from somewhere else. There are, of course, synthetic products, but there is almost no difference in quality and toxicity. In general, tick repellents have a broad profile. You can buy them at any hunting or fishing store. As a rule, they are able to drive away any insect. The main advantage of repellent sprays is that they are not as toxic as acaricidal and insecticidal-repellent ones.

⇒ How to apply repellants in the form of an aerosol spray?

  1. They can be used on clothing (trousers and jacket) to prevent parasites from catching on.
  2. Apply to the skin only when formulation is acceptable. Not all repellent aerosols and sprays are non-toxic. There are exceptions.
  3. To save money, you can process sections of clothing in circles instead of the whole.
  4. Remember to reapply every 2-3 hours if you continue to be in dangerous territory.

Acaricidal

Such sprays are designed not only to fight back the tick, but also to kill it. Often, in composition, they are close to what they treat areas from a tick. In this regard, in no case is it recommended to apply them to the skin – even if the manufacturer claims that it is possible. There are frequent cases of allergic reactions with wet redness in the contact area. An important note will be that acaricidal preparations cannot always be applied even to simple clothes. Most often, the key requirement is the presence of a dense and difficult-to-wet fabric, as on protective suits. The drug is applied to various pads, thereby creating dead trapping zones on clothes. If the tick catches on and tries to climb higher to stick, it will fall into a trap with poison.

⇒ How to use aerosol and spray acaricides?

  1. Exclusively for clothing.
  2. External side only, not in contact with skin.
  3. Sprays are used in combination with special suits.
  4. Re-treatment is required only after 3-4 hours.

Insecticide-repellent

Insecticide-repellant sprays and aerosols are the most effective. They combine both toxic substances of natural origin, as in repellents, and chemicals that destroy the parasite. In fact, this combination is universal. The parasite that has fallen under the influence of the drug will not only be discouraged and confused, but it will also die if it stays on the treated surface for a long time. Most often, ticks simply fall off dead, without even having time to light up.

Alas, the toxicity of insecticide-repellent sprays and aerosols is quite high. They can not be applied to open areas of the body and even inhaled. Therefore, the use of such drugs in no case should not go beyond what is permitted according to the instructions.

⇒ How to apply insecticide-repellent sprays?

  1. By instructions only.
  2. Never overdose or let the fabric get wet.
  3. Apply only to the outer part of clothing, so that the treatment area does not come into contact with the skin in any case.
  4. Do not inhale.
  5. Treated clothing must be washed thoroughly.
  6. Do not spray on animals.

* * *

Whatever you choose, it’s worth taking care of tick protection. Especially if you go to nature during the active season, when this parasite tries to drink blood as quickly as possible. The price of aerosols is quite modest. And it is clearly cheaper than later treatment for various diseases transmitted with the saliva of the parasite.

⇒ Our knowledge base:

  • Are there ticks in Europe?
  • Ticks in Russia: types and zones.
  • We answer the strangest questions about ticks.

review of popular products (Taiga, Reftamid, Gardeks and others), reviews, features of choosing a drug for children

With the advent of summer heat, it’s time for rest and country troubles, and with them the problem of protection against tick bites returns. Everyone knows about the possible dangers associated with these bloodsuckers, but the issue of preventing contact with parasites always remains relevant.

Pros and cons of sprays against ticks

Ticks begin their activity in early spring, as soon as the air temperature reaches +12 o -15 o C. The most active period of parasites is May and August (before stable frosts). During the heat, ticks become lethargic, preferring to hide from the heat and stuffiness.

Ixodid tick on the human body

Ixodid ticks are carriers of various infections, including borreliosis and encephalitis
A tick that has bitten into it should not be pulled out, because its head may remain in the skin and grow a new body One of the popular drugs are sprays. This form in pharmacology appeared relatively recently, but has already proven itself well. It is convenient for its simplicity and ease of use. The concepts of “spray” and “aerosol” are not synonymous, however, in the case of means of protection against ticks, there is no fundamental difference between them.

Spray formulations offer a number of advantages:

  1. Convenient and quick application.
  2. Easy storage and transport.
  3. Even product distribution.
  4. The sealed bottle keeps the spray from leaking, as well as air and moisture getting inside.
  5. Non-contact: the drug is applied only to clothes (from natural fabrics), which significantly reduces the risk of an allergic reaction.
  6. Stability: the spray retains its properties for a long time, and the lotion or cream applied to the skin is washed off with water, eliminated by perspiration, and dried.

Sprays also have their drawbacks:

  • Possibility of poisoning if spray particles enter the respiratory organs, eyes and mouth when spraying.
  • Possible allergic reaction to the drug (sprays and aerosols often have a strong odor).
  • Flammable. Spray contains flammable substances.
  • Some of the products are contraindicated in women who are carrying or nursing children, as well as the babies themselves.

Types of sprays

Mite sprays are divided into three groups:

  • acaricidal,
  • repellent,
  • repellent-acaricidal, or insecticidal-repellent.

Let’s take a closer look at each type of product.

Acaricidal Spray

Acaricidal Spray contains alphacypermethrin. It is an insecticide with a contact-intestinal effect (that is, it kills ticks when it enters the digestive organs and with direct external contact), which causes paralysis of internal organs and limbs, after which the parasite dies. Acaricidal sprays and aerosols are applied exclusively to clothing, and before putting it on. Acaricide spray may last up to 2 weeks. In practice, this is unlikely. Firstly, during such a period, the clothes will certainly become dirty and subjected to washing. It is also possible that things can get wet in the rain. Secondly, the danger from a tick bite is too great to test the protective properties of the drug during the specified period, most people prefer to treat more often.

Repellent spray

The special feature of repellent sprays is that they do not contain harmful poisons for ticks, but only repel them. The structure of these drugs contains substances (most often it is diethyltoluamide), the smell of which irritates the sense of smell of parasites and repels them from a potential victim. Repellent spray, on the other hand, is not applied to clothes, but to the skin. Don’t forget that after swimming or rain you need to reapply the product. After processing the body, it will exude an unpleasant odor for ticks, having felt which the parasites will not perceive the person as an object for attack.

Insecticide-repellent spray

Insecticide-repellent sprays are a combination option that provides comprehensive protection against mites. The composition of such a remedy contains both diethyltoluamide and alphacypermethrin, so it has not only a deterrent, but also a nerve-paralytic effect on parasites. This type of spray is sprayed onto clothing. The preparations of this group contain an insecticide, but its dosage is extremely small for the human body, however, the duration of the sprays is reduced to 4-6 hours. After exposure to water on the treated areas (rain, washing, bathing), the drug stops its effect, so you should apply it again.

A respiratory mask will protect your breath from toxic particles while spraying.

The difference between a spray and an aerosol is that in a spray, the agent is applied using a mechanical pump. One press on the spray valve releases a small amount of the drug, thereby dosing the spray. There is no dispenser in aerosols; when you press the spray head, the drug is released due to the pressure created inside the balloon.

Spray and aerosol precautions

When using sprays and aerosols against ticks, several safety rules must be strictly observed:

  • Use the product only for its intended purpose.
  • Avoid smoking while spraying.
  • Wear respiratory and eye protection during spraying. If the product does get into the eyes and mouth, rinse the affected areas thoroughly with plenty of water. In case of accidental inhalation of the drug, go outside and breathe deeply until the condition is relieved.
  • Avoid close proximity to the spray or aerosol of open sources of fire, hot objects and heating appliances.
  • Do not process clothing on a person.
  • Do not wear treated items until they are completely dry.
  • Protective clothing should be stored in an airtight polyethylene bag to preserve the properties of the preparation.
  • Use an adult to process children’s clothing. The same rule applies to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
  • One person should not spray the clothing of all members of a family or group. The total time of application of the drug by one person should not exceed 2 minutes.
  • When empty, do not open, puncture, or throw into fire, dispose of as household waste.
  • Keep out of the reach of children.

Compliance with all safety measures and the correct use of any remedy for ticks does not exclude the possibility of an allergic reaction. If itching, sneezing, skin redness, rashes, headaches, or other allergy symptoms occur, return home, remove treated clothing, and take a hygienic shower. Seek medical attention if necessary.

Popular brands of tick sprays

There are many different tick sprays and aerosols on the market. Consider the most popular brands and try to determine their effectiveness according to the reviews of people who have tested these products in practice.

Taiga anti-mite

The manufacturer offers Taiga anti-mite in the form of a spray and aerosol. The drug belongs to the group of acaricidal agents. The aerosol has a volume of 145 ml, and the spray 125 and 50 ml. It is possible that the manufacturer can change the volume of bottles and their external design.

Taiga anti-mite spray refers to acaricidal means of protection

In addition to protection against ticks, the spray is designed to destroy fleas, cockroaches, moths, flies, ants, bedbugs, wasps, butterflies, mosquitoes and many other insects. It is allowed to apply the product on hiking equipment: tent, backpack, awnings, etc., made of textiles.

Treating your outdoor equipment with anti-tick products will increase your protectionPreservative

The composition of the spray is slightly different from the aerosol:

  • Nefras> 30%
  • Butane/Prophan/Objective mixture 30%
  • Ispophani <5%
  • Sorbitan OleAAT <5%
  • Alfucermetrin – 0.2%
  • imiprothrin 0.15%
  • fragrance <5%.

As can be seen, the concentration of the active ingredient in the spray is higher than in the aerosol. This is due to the fact that the spray distributes the product more evenly, as it doses the spray. The manufacturer claims that the protective effect of the drug lasts from 10 to 15 days. Additional application of the product will be required if the clothes are soaked in the rain or after washing.

Possible storage temperature from -5 o to +30 o C. It is not allowed to heat the bottle to a temperature of more than 40 about C. Shelf life – 4 years, after which the product must be disposed of, since it loses its effectiveness.

The manufacturer does not explicitly prohibit or authorize the use of the product in relation to children and pregnant or lactating women

This drug is toxic to fish and bees, slightly toxic to birds. In this regard, it is necessary to avoid spraying near the aquarium or in places of localization of bees (for example, in an apiary).

Before you start processing clothes and equipment, it is important to read the instructions on the back of the bottle. Spray and aerosol Taiga anti-mite is applied exclusively to clothing, in no case should this preparation be sprayed on the skin and hair. To properly use the drug, follow the recommendations:

  1. Treat outdoors or in a well-ventilated room.
  2. Wear protective goggles and mask.
  3. All items to be processed must be hung or laid flat.
  4. If necessary, determine the direction of the wind and spray with the air current.
  5. Apply the product at a distance of 20-25 cm from the things to be processed, the hand with the bottle should be extended forward.
  6. One press of the spray head (the so-called puff) is applied to an area measuring 10×10 cm (in the case of an aerosol, there are no such accuracy, since the flow of the product is dosed not by a pump, but by a person in it. It is recommended to treat the shirt and trousers of an adult for no more than 2 minutes ).
  7. Particular attention should be paid to the areas of the hips, knees, lower leg, ankles and shoulders.
  8. Wash hands well with soap and water after handling.
  9. Dry clothes.
  10. Treated garments can be worn directly over underwear.
  11. Store pre-applied clothing in its package without air access.
  12. Re-treat after 10-15 days.
Spray reviews Taiga anti-mite

Gardex extreme

Gardex extreme has the form of an aerosol and spray, refers to acaricidal preparations for protection against ixodid ticks, as well as many other insects due to its constituent alphacypermethrin. Gardex is sprayed exclusively on clothing until it is put on, and it can also be used to treat tourist equipment made from natural textile materials. There is a special spray to protect children. According to the manufacturer, the duration of the applied drug lasts up to 2 weeks.

Varieties of Gardex
Gardex extreme spray is designed to protect against many insects, including ixodid ticks
Aerosol Gardex extreme can be applied to all textile materials in order to protect against ticks
Gardex baby was created specifically to protect children over 2 years old

Spray Gardex has the following composition: 25%

  • permethrin – 0. 18%
  • isopropyl alcohol
  • fragrance.
  • The composition of the baby spray is slightly different:

    • Alphacypermethrin (0.2%)
    • N,N-diethyltoluamide (5.0%)
    • ethyl alcohol
    • perfume
    • hydrocarbon propellant.

    Women who are pregnant or nursing should use baby spray, but should be applied by an adult family member. A product intended for the treatment of children’s clothing can be used if the child has reached the age of 2 years. Do not apply Gardex to the skin and hair. Synthetic fabrics and plastics must not be sprayed: they may deteriorate under the influence of the components of the drug.

    Mite spray can and should be used together with a mosquito repellent that is applied to the skin. In this case, you and your loved ones will be protected more reliably from most bloodsuckers.

    Store the container with the drug in a place protected from direct sunlight at a temperature not exceeding +50 about C. Keep out of the reach of children. The shelf life of the product is 3 years. The use of Gardex is prohibited if this period has expired.

    More details about the use of the product in our article: Reliable protection against ticks with Gardex preparations.

    Rules for using the agent:

    1. The application of the preparation should be carried out outdoors.
    2. Protect eyes and breathing with goggles and a mask (you can tie a slightly damp handkerchief over your nose and mouth).
    3. Children and pets must be eliminated.
    4. Shake well before spraying.
    5. Extend the arm with the vial and generously apply the drug to clothing and equipment at a distance of 20–25 cm.
    6. Allow clothing to dry thoroughly.
    7. Wear over underwear.
    8. Wash hands with soap and water after handling.
    9. Re-treatment required after 2 weeks.
    The effect of Gardex extreme on ticks

    Reviews of the effectiveness of the product

    Reftamid

    Reftamid is an aerosol that is produced in several series against specific parasites or several types of bloodsucking. Perhaps the product on sale may already be in the form of a spray. Some types of Reftamid can be sprayed exclusively on clothing, while others allow the treatment of exposed skin. The following varieties of this aerosol will help against ticks:

    • Reftamid anti-mite and anti-mite taiga
    • Reftamid reinforced
    • Reftamid max.

    Aerosol has a shorter shelf life than other brands – 36 months from date of manufacture. The temperature range during storage is from -20 o to +40 o C, a higher degree during storage is dangerous for ignition. Be sure to prevent the drug from getting into children’s hands.

    Reftamid anti-mite and Reftamid anti-mite taiga

    Acaricidal aerosol is designed to protect against ixodid ticks with the active ingredient alphacypermethrin. The drug is applied exclusively to clothing and equipment made of textile materials. The duration of action of the product after application is 10–15 days, after which re-treatment is recommended.

    Aerosol Refamide should be used with caution, since it is an insectoacaricid agent

    Aerozol composition:

    • Alfacermetrin 0.2%
    • Glycerin less than 5%
    • Short less than 5%
    • BUTAN/REASE/ORENTEN/OREN
    • ethanol over 30%.

    Recommended use:

    1. Treat outdoors, but in a wind-protected area.
    2. The product may be sprayed indoors if the room is well ventilated.
    3. Hang or lay out clothes.
    4. Shake the can.
    5. Spray aerosol 10-20 cm from clothing with arm outstretched.
    6. Total operating time must not exceed 2 minutes.
    7. Dry all items after treatment.
    8. Wear over underwear.
    9. Wash hands immediately with soap and water after spraying.

    The product is allowed to be used by women during childbearing and children, provided that the treatment will be carried out by another person. People prone to allergies, the drug should be used with caution.

    Testing the drug Reftamid anti-mite taiga

    Reftamid enhanced

    The very name of the drug indicates that the aerosol has an enhanced effect on parasites. This is due to the fact that in addition to alphacypermethrin, the composition contains an additional insecticide imiprotrin, which causes instant poisoning of bloodsuckers.

    Reftamid enhanced aerosol has vanilla flavor

    Composition:

    • Alphacypermethrin 0. 2%
    • imiprotrin 0.15%
    • perfume <5%
    • sorbitan oleate <5%
    • isoparaffin <5%
    • butane/propane/isobutane mixture >30%
    • nefras >30% 9036 the same as the previous series. Action time – 5 hours. This is much less than other drugs, where the protective effect lasts for several days.

      Reftamid maximum

      This type of aerosol belongs to the group of repellents. In addition to ticks, the manufacturer guarantees reliable protection against midges, fleas, midges, mosquitoes, horseflies, mosquitoes. The composition of the drug includes DEET (diethyltoluamide), which repels bloodsuckers, thereby preventing their bites.

      Product composition:

      • N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DETA) 28%
      • butane/propane/isobutane blend >30%
      • ethyl alcohol denatured 15-30%
      • propylene glycol <26%
      • fragrance <5%.

      The preparation provides protection to exposed areas of the body for 4 hours, on clothes it retains its properties for up to 5 days if it is packed in a bag without air access. In the case of washing, things need to be processed again. The tool does not give a 100% guarantee that the tick will recede. It is better to strengthen your protection by additionally treating clothes with an acaricidal agent.

      The drug Reftamid maximum does not guarantee complete protection against the attack of the xodid tick.

    • Shake the bottle for 5-10 seconds.
    • Apply a small amount of aerosol to the palm of the hand and spread over exposed skin, avoiding rubbing.
    • Treat clothes until lightly moistened; during the application period, a distance of at least 20–25 cm should be maintained between the container with the agent and things.
    • Wash hands with soap and water after treatment.
    • After treatment, allow clothing to dry and then wear.
    • Reviews about the drugs of this brand

      OFF! Extreme

      Aerosol OFF! Extreme belongs to the group of repellent ticks. The drug is designed to protect against a wide range of blood-sucking: ticks, mosquitoes, mosquitoes, horseflies, etc.

      Aerosol OFF! Extreme does not guarantee complete protection against mites, since this product does not cause the death of parasites, but only repels them

      Ingredients:

      • diethyltoluamide 30%
      • denatured alcohol
      • emulsifier
      • preservative
      • fragrance

      • 0326
      • water
      • propellant.

      The main substance diethyltoluamide (DEET) exudes an unpleasant odor for ticks, which irritates their sensitive receptors and stimulates them to retreat from a person. The aerosol can be applied to both clothing and exposed areas of the body. The manufacturer claims that the aerosol retains its protective properties against ticks for 5 days on textile materials and up to 4 hours on the skin. The drug can be applied to the body no more than 2 times a day, clothes should be processed once in 3 days.

      Aerosol instructions:

      • Do not smoke while spraying.
      • Do not swallow or inhale the drug.
      • Apply to skin avoiding rubbing.
      • Treat clothes with a generous jet sprayed at a distance of 15-20 cm. Since the aerosol can be applied to the body, it is likely that clothes can be processed already in the form they are wearing. The drug should not be used by women during the period of feeding and bearing a child, and it is also prohibited for children and people sensitive to chemicals. You should not take risks even if there are visible damages on the skin: wounds, deep scratches, various rashes, etc.

        Aerosol shelf life – 3 years, provided that it is stored at a temperature not exceeding +40 about C, away from direct sunlight, open flames and heaters. Do not give to children!

        Reviews of the drug OFF! Extreme

        Mosquitol

        Spray and aerosol Mosquitall belongs to a group of insecticidal-repellent products designed to protect against ticks and other blood-sucking parasites. The drug has a nerve-paralytic effect on ixodid ticks, primarily affecting the limbs and breathing. And the repellent in the spray will have a frightening effect on other parasites.

        Mosquitoll spray manufacturer often changes the external design of the bottle, read the name carefully

        Ingredients:

        • alphacypermethrin 0.23%
        • DEET 15%
        • isopril alcohol
        • propylene glycol
        • citric acid
        • fragrance.

        The manufacturer promises reliable protection against bloodsucking up to 15 days after clothing has been processed, if it is stored in a closed plastic bag. However, most often things are washed almost every time they return home, so be sure to reapply the drug.

        Packing clothes treated with any anti-mite agent in a vacuum bag is an ideal storage option

        Mosquitoll can be used by pregnant and lactating women, as well as children (the exact age is not specified), while these persons should in no case spray the drug themselves. To do this, you can resort to the help of other family members or company. People with allergic or damaged skin should use with caution. Any element from the composition can cause individual intolerance.

        Instructions for use:

        1. Mosquitoll must not be applied to the skin, only spray on clothing.
        2. The drug can only be used outdoors: on the street, balcony, loggia.
        3. With outstretched hand, spray the product on things, keeping a distance of 20 cm.
        4. After finishing work, hang the clothes and dry for 2 hours.
        5. Wear over underwear.
        6. Wash hands with soap and water after handling.
        7. Can be applied once a day.
        8. Total spraying time must not exceed 2 minutes.

        Treated clothing should only be hung and dried outdoors

        The product does not require special temperature conditions for storage (range -30 to +30 C), but it is important to keep it away from children and prevent heating vial. Shelf life – 4 years, after which the drug can not be used.

        Reviews of the drug Mosquitoll

        Additional safety measures when going into the forest

        These sprays and aerosols are mostly positive, and therefore their use is reasonable and even mandatory. However, it never hurts to take extra measures to protect against ticks. People who regularly visit forest areas know that ticks do not like dampness. If you are planning a trip to the forest in order to pick mushrooms, berries or other practical activities, then the morning hours for this will be the best time of the day. As a rule, heavy dew falls in the forest during the night. Grass and leaves of trees are well moistened, which makes it difficult for ticks to move and reduces the likelihood of their attack. The optimal time is before 11 am. Closer to noon, the sun’s rays begin to penetrate the crowns, drying the greens, and the mites become more active. Even in the most summer heat, the forest, under the cover of thick branches, keeps cool. This makes it possible to dress more securely. Tights, socks, a tightly tied scarf, a long-sleeve shirt, and a cape in the form of a windbreaker or light jacket on top, as well as rubber boots with a high shin, will create additional difficulties for ticks on their way to the desired. Upon returning home, undress and conduct a full visual examination of the entire body to check for the possible presence of the parasite. Pay special attention to the armpits, the area between the hips, the scalp, the area behind the ears.

        Encephalitis tick vaccination will not save you from being bitten. Therefore, do not forget to accompany any visit to nature in the spring-summer period with protective preparations for yourself and your loved ones. The choice of a particular tool is always yours.

        Protection against ixodid ticks for humans and animals in nature

        Ticks are a group of animals with more than 50,000 species. This is one of the most resistant to external factors representatives of the arachnid class. Some of them are absolutely harmless and participate in soil formation. Others can harm both humans and their pets. If you can’t imagine your life without walking in the fresh air, stock up on special anti-tick equipment and knowledge on how best to use them.

        Contents

        • Basic protective equipment
        • Repellents: principle of operation and overview of the best preparations
        • Acaricides: principle of operation and overview of the best preparations
        • Universal means
        • Anti-mosquito clothing and anti-mosquito clothing and. Which costume to choose
        • Ultrasonic repellers
        • Traditional methods
        • Child protection
        • Parasite extractors
        • What diseases can Ixodes parasites transmit to humans
        • Distribution areas:
          – in Russia
          – in Belarus
          – in Ukraine
          – in Kazakhstan
        • Prevention of bites. 9 effective measures
        • Protection of pets

        Basic protection

        Chemical preparations, traditional recipes, as well as overalls and ultrasonic repellers can be used to protect against ticks.

        For short-term and occasional use, preparations in the form of ointments and creams are suitable:

        1. Repellents – These drugs repel parasites, but do not kill. You need to apply them in circular stripes on the skin and clothes.
        2. Acaricides – completely destroy ticks by acting on their nervous system. The funds of this group are applied only to things. Skin contact is dangerous.
        3. Universal (repellant-acaricidal) – are considered the most reliable for protection, as they combine the ability to scare away, and at the same time paralyze them. They also reliably protect against midges (i.e. blood-sucking insects). Only suitable for processing clothes.

        Alternative methods:

        1. Workwear . Anti-encephalitis suits are currently considered the most reliable method for protection. They have a special cut with special flounces-traps with acaricidal preparations. Parasites, getting into them, come into contact with the poison, which is why they die and fall off the surface of the anti-encephalitis suit.
        2. Electronic scarers . Ultrasonic repellers have no contraindications. Work from the built-in accumulators and provide protection for 4-5 months. One set of batteries is enough for the entire spring-summer season – the peak of parasite activity.
        3. Folk tricks . Essential oils or other improvised means with a pungent odor can be attributed to folk methods of protection. For treatment, you can use either one flavor or a combination of several

        The video explains how to apply anti-tick agents in practice and how to remove the parasite using a special tool.

        What diseases can be transmitted to humans by ixodid parasites

        Ticks represent 2 types of danger for people: they themselves cause diseases (demodectic mange, scabies, allergies, conjunctivitis, asthma, etc. ) or act as carriers of serious infectious diseases.

        In the first case diseases are associated with long-term parasitism on the surface of the skin or in the human environment (for example, in dust or bed linen).
        In the second case infection occurs during a bite – the saliva of the tick may contain a dangerous infection (viral or bacterial). Once in the human bloodstream, the disease quickly strengthens its position. Among the most dangerous consequences of a bite:

        • Tick-borne encephalitis – the infection affects the main centers of the human nervous system. Accompanied by fever, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting. It develops cyclically. Encephalitis at the first stage is difficult to diagnose, since its symptoms are similar to other diseases (flu, polio, meningitis). For treatment, the introduction of immunoglobulins is used, which are effective precisely in the first days after the bite. For prevention, in places with an increased population of these arachnids, vaccination is used. There are two subtypes of encephalitis with different course of the disease: European and Far Eastern. The Far Eastern subtype has a great danger with a lethality rate of 20-25%.
        • Borreliosis (Lyme disease) – associated with Borrelia bacteria. This disease is much easier to diagnose, since a characteristic red ring forms at the site of the bite. Joint pain, heart, eye damage also join this symptom. The disease is treated with antibiotics, which help to avoid complications only with timely diagnosis. If left unchecked, bacteria can attack vital organs and cause the immune system to malfunction. The disease does not often cause mortality, but the rate of disability in the field of borreliosis is quite high.
        • Ehrlichiosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia. The main symptoms: general malaise, nausea, vomiting, heart rhythm disturbances, maculopapular rash. In severe cases, the patient develops meningitis or meningoencephalitis.

        Also, the bite of a tick as a carrier of infection can cause babesiosis, tularemia, tick-borne typhus, hemorrhagic fever and other vector-borne diseases.

        Release of the radio program “Advise, doctor!”
        Her guest, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology of the First Moscow Medical University named after Sechenov, Marina Arkadyevna Kinkulkina talks about ticks.

        Distribution areas

        Ticks adapt very well to the places of human activity. After sawing the forest, they continue to live in their favorite place for years in the grass and shrubs. Recently, they have taken root in many cities, hiding in parks, squares or unkempt places with tall grass. The main condition for the survival of these animals is constant moderate humidity.

        In Russia

        In Russia they live almost everywhere. Doctors diagnose the greatest number of tick-borne encephalitis in Siberia and the Urals. At risk are residents of the Tver, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Leningrad regions and some areas of Moscow and the Moscow region.

        Borreliosis most often infects residents of the Tomsk, Sverdlovsk, Volgograd regions. For the year in the Russian Federation, more than 500 thousand calls to first-aid posts due to bites are registered, both with and without complications.

        Crimea, a popular summer holiday destination, is also home to infected parasites. What species are common on the peninsula, you can read in this article…

        In Belarus

        encephalitis. In view of this, the number of diseases provoked by their bites has increased by 60%. The largest number of victims was from Minsk, Brest and Grodno regions.

        In Ukraine

        Ukraine is a country rich in forest plantations, so ticks have perfectly adapted to existence throughout the entire territory from West to East. And only the southern regions, due to their drier and hotter climate, are considered relatively safe. The greatest number of complications in Ukraine is associated not with encephalitis, but with Lyme disease.

        In Kazakhstan

        In Kazakhstan, all infections with tick-borne encephalitis were recorded in 2 regions: Almaty and East Kazakhstan. According to statistics, the number of cases is quite small – 30 per year, so Kazakhstan can be considered relatively safe for both locals and tourists. On the other hand, in Kazakhstan the situation with karakurts is not very favorable.

        Bite prevention. 9 effective measures

        The tick bites painlessly, people notice it on themselves already in a blood-sucking state. An hour or two is enough to contract a dangerous disease, so do not ignore preventive measures, especially during their active time (late spring and the last ten days of August). During this period, even when going to the park for a walk or a picnic, follow these rules:

        1. Most common bite sites.

          Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to see parasites and remove them.

        2. Clothing should cover the arms and legs well, save T-shirt and shorts until mid-summer.
        3. Protect your head – it is also at risk, especially in children.
        4. The slippery material of the clothing is a big plus as it will prevent the tick from grabbing onto you.
        5. Tuck pants into shoes. Remember that ticks do not fall from trees, but lie in wait for their prey in thick grass along forest paths. If possible, use more trodden paths.
        6. Be sure to pre-treat your skin and/or clothing with special preparations.
        7. Check yourself and your friends regularly while walking. Preferably every hour.
        8. Inspect the picked flowers well before bringing them into the house.
        9. Take a shower and do laundry at home.

        These preventive measures are sufficient for a short stay in the risk area. For rest and work in the country, it is advisable to allocate one set of clothes treated with an acaricidal agent. After use, wrap things in a bag – this prolongs the validity of anti-tick drugs.

        Interestingly, the pliers move only from the bottom up. This feature is taken into account when designing anti-encephalitis suits.

        Long hikes require more preparation. Epidemiologists recommend that all tourists who travel to Siberia, the Urals and other places with an increased accumulation of these parasites be sure to be vaccinated against encephalitis and purchase special suits.

        Repellents: how they work and an overview of the best products

        The power of repellents is based on the chemical diethyltoluamide (DEET). They repel parasites, but do not kill, so their use does not give a 100% guarantee. To obtain maximum protection, it is necessary to treat well not only the skin (the effect lasts up to 5 hours), but also clothes (the substance remains on the material for up to 5 days).

        These products can also be used on children as they are not too toxic.

        The following repellents have proven themselves well:

        • Picnic BIO Active Aerosol against mosquitoes, ticks, horseflies – has 2 active ingredients: DEET and andiroba oil. The tool is universal in use, suitable for skin and clothing. Retains its properties up to 5 days.
        • Picnic Extreme Aerosol against flying and ticks – the power of the active ingredient DEET is enhanced by a synergist, which makes the drug as effective as possible. Eucalyptus oil softens the skin and additionally repels both insects and all arachnids with its aroma. The same properties and the drug Picnic Extreme Spray.
        • OFF Extreme Aerosol against ticks, mosquitoes, insects – alcohol-based repellent, has a wide spectrum of action. Protects for 4 hours. Has a pleasant aroma. For the treatment of children, the product cannot be used.
        • Deta-Prof Repellent against mosquitoes and ticks – adapted for use in Russia. It has the maximum allowable concentration of DEET and long-term effectiveness after application.
        • ThermaCELL Mosquito Repeller complete with case is a portable tool that repels gnats and ticks. The principle of its operation is the uniform spraying of the repellent. The repeller is absolutely mobile and can protect a person on an area of ​​20 m2. The device is irreplaceable for fishing, hunting, giving and rest with a tent.
        • UltraThon Lotion with applicator for up to 12 hours of protection against ticks, midges and mosquitoes is an innovative product developed in the USA. It is applied with a soft sponge to the skin. It has a prolonged action, so it protects for a long time.

        Repellent wears off after washing and showering. If necessary, repeat the treatment with special equipment as many times as necessary!

        Acaricides – poisons for ticks and gnats

        If the tick comes into contact with clothing treated with acaricide, it will die as a result of paralysis. This is due to the action of the synthetic agent permethrin (and its derivatives). All clothing that is planned for protection must be pre-treated. Use the drug in a well-ventilated area, away from children.

        Test of the most popular drugs containing acaricides

        The use of acaricides gives a great guarantee for protection. There are many funds provided on the market, so we will consider the features of only a few:

        • Mosquill Antiklesch is a tool proven over the years, it kills forest and taiga ticks.
        • Reftamid taiga is a drug with an ultra-rapid effect on bloodsuckers, including midges. Among the features is a specific smell.
        • Briz-Anticlesh acaricide is especially effective, as it immediately kills ticks that get on the treated clothes. Has good value for money.
        • Gardex Extreme Aerosol against ticks – a universal remedy that can be sprayed on clothes, tents, curtains, backpacks. Valid up to 15 days or until the first wash.
        • Komaroff anti-mite spray is a popular acaricide that effectively paralyzes the main species.
        • Picnic Family Super Antimite Aerosol – easy to use, indicated for processing clothing and other equipment.

        All-purpose products

        These products repel and completely neutralize ticks when they come into contact with treated clothing. Repellent-acaricide sprays and aerosols are effective against the strongest of them:

        • Mosquitol Special Protection anti-tick spray – the drug after application to clothing retains its properties for 15 days (when stored in a plastic bag) and up to 5 days with active wear.
        • Mosquitall Aerosol & Spray Wildlife Tick Protection is proven to be effective not only against these arachnids but also blood-sucking insects.
        • Caput tick is a domestic version that effectively affects the nervous system of ticks and repels many blood-sucking insects.

        Anti-encephalitis and anti-mosquito clothing

        For those who often visit places of mass accumulation of ticks and blood-sucking insects, experts recommend purchasing anti-encephalitis or anti-mosquito clothing. An anti-encephalitis suit allows you to protect the wearer with mechanical and chemical traps.

        Models have frills that prevent the only natural movement of parasites from the bottom up. The same tissue fold is additionally saturated with poison, which kills them. All encephalitis are sewn from a dense fabric that will not miss the bite of a blood-sucking parasite.

        Anti-mosquito clothing, on the contrary, has a mesh structure. The lower, coarser layer covers the body and creates protection due to its thickness. The outer mesh has a very fine structure and thus prevents the penetration of insects inside.

        Encephalitis can have a different cut: looser for men, fitted for women and children, but in general, additional internal details are provided under the outer fabric, which create a snug fit of clothing to the body.

        Both anti-encephalitis and anti-mosquito clothing are made to the highest quality standards, so the price is quite high. But if you need an economy option, you can also find it.

        When choosing clothes, pay attention to the following models:

        • Anti-encephalitis suit Biostop is one of the most famous on the market. Manufacturers guarantee 100% protection against ticks. The suit is thoughtfully tailored, a hood with mosquito net is provided for the head.
        • Anti-encephalitic suit Taiga (fog) – provides tight contact of the cuffs and collar with the skin, while it has a free cut and does not hinder movement.
        • Turist-N anti-encephalitis suit will be a good economical solution for a summer trip. The model is made of lightweight fabric in the shape of a jumpsuit.
        • Anti-mosquito suit Bodyguard – has a double mesh structure. Lightweight and comfortable to wear. Its use allows you to minimize the processing of chemicals. You can wear it all year round, as it has warming properties due to the high content of cotton in its bottom layer.

        If you don’t often go for walks in the woods, you can prepare a set of clothes against ticks yourself. Tight trousers and windbreaker jackets are suitable for this purpose. Good contact with the skin can be ensured by additional rubber bands. To protect your head, use any thick hats and an inexpensive Biostop head mosquito net, which is better to spend money on.

        Ultrasonic Repellers

        The power of devices is based on the repellent property of a special ultrasonic frequency. For people and their pets, ultrasound is inaudible and safe.

        Repellers can be stationary (they require electricity) or portable. Also in a separate group can be attributed repellers to protect pets.

        Mobile devices are more practical and popular, since ticks do not live in a house or apartment. Over the years of existence, repellers managed to receive both positive and negative reviews. The main drawback of the devices is that it is not possible to control the presence of an ultrasonic wave. That is why tourists often use an additional means of protection, for example, acaricides.

        Folk methods

        People defended themselves against parasites long before the appearance of chemical compounds, using persistent and pronounced aromas to repel them. In order to prepare an effective remedy, it is enough to take one or more essential oils as a base. Vinegar, alcohol or cologne as an emulsifier and water as a solvent.

        One of the folk ways to fight

        Among the oils that repel bloodsuckers, one can distinguish: mint, eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, basil, etc. Alcohol or acetic base is not used to protect children, as it can irritate the skin .

        Fragrant oils are used to treat the most vulnerable areas: armpits, groin, neck, as well as clothes from the wrong side. One treatment is enough for 1.5-2 hours, then it needs to be repeated.

        Child protection

        Child protection preparations must have a special, mild formula and at the same time guarantee complete protection. It is permissible to use repellents for children from 2-3 years old. It is not advisable to apply them to the skin, but it is better to process clothes well:

        • Gardex Baby against ticks and mosquitoes – suitable for treating clothes of children from 2 years old.
        • Biban – the drug is not indicated for use by pregnant or lactating women, but it can be used to treat baby clothes.
        • DEFI-Taiga – the drug can only be used to treat children’s clothing.
        • Babydeta is a product in the form of a cream. Test the drug first on a small area of ​​\u200b\u200bchildren’s skin, if after a day there is no allergic reaction, then the child’s skin can be treated with the product.

        All mosquito repellents are not effective against ticks because they have a low percentage of DEET. For the safety of babies, use only products with the specified anti-tick effect!

        Parasite Removal

        If you cannot avoid being bitten, the parasite must be removed immediately. To do this, immediately contact a medical institution or try to remove it yourself. Do all the manipulations carefully, but confidently. Try to get it out on the first try.

        Having embedded its head under the skin, the tick injects a special secret that, as it were, cements it inside. Therefore, it is always so difficult to pull it out of the body.

        Until recently, ordinary tweezers were used to remove ticks. Now there are many special devices on the market, for example:

        • Pliers set / device for extracting ticks – consists of a removal device, a test tube for diagnostics and a disinfectant wipe. Suitable for removing parasites of different sizes. The kit has all the necessary certificates, so the safety and effectiveness of its use has been proven.
        • The Uniclean Tick Twister has a simpler double fork shape. During the extraction of the tick, its head is not squeezed and smoothly removed along with the body.
        • Tick Key Tool – Similar to a tin can key. It has two holes: one to attach to a bunch of keys and always carry it with you, the other – directly to remove the parasite.

        As we can see, there are many means to combat this scourge. Vaccination only helps against encephalitis and is helpless against other infections. Treatment preparations also have disadvantages. Therefore, always combine different anti-mite agents. So you will provide yourself, your family members with 100% protection, and will not be distracted by thoughts of danger during your leisure time.

        Pets

        Pets are an excellent target for ticks, just like humans. Previously, only the owners of hunting or rural dogs faced bites from parasites, but recently urban animals have also faced no less danger.

        Piroplasmosis tick

        Piroplasmosis is especially dangerous for dogs (rarely cats). This disease is caused by protozoan blood parasites that enter the bloodstream after a bite.

        Among the main symptoms are weakness, vomiting, diarrhea. Even timely treatment does not guarantee a positive result, since piroplasmosis has a high mortality rate. At risk are puppies, young pedigreed dogs with unformed immunity.

        Vaccinations, special equipment or collars?

        Veterinarians recommend vaccinations to protect their pets. Although it does not give a 100% guarantee against possible infection, it produces antibodies in animals that help to cope with the disease faster.

        Vaccination is carried out in 2 stages with an interval of 3-4 weeks. The best time to administer the first dose is January-February. If you decide to protect the animal with a vaccine, ask your veterinarian about revaccination as well.

        Special products for the treatment of animal hair do not require prior preparation. But their level of protection is lower. They are produced in 2 forms:

        • Drops are applied to the dog’s dry coat in the withers area. The effect of use lasts 2-3 weeks. The active substance penetrates into the subcutaneous fat layer, follicles and sebaceous glands, and then is gradually released to the top.
        • Sprays are applied to the entire surface of the body. Unlike drops, funds have an instant effect. The main success of the treatment, which lasts for 1-4 weeks, is uniform application.