9 Expert Tips for Getting Rid of Ticks in Your Yard

Sometimes the tiniest, out-of-sight pests are the most persistent and frustrating. Ticks certainly fall into that category with their disease-carrying, blood-sucking tendencies that impact both humans and pets. Once they’ve found a host—be it a furry companion, child, or even you—they dig their mouthparts into skin and feed on blood. Meanwhile, they release their own saliva, which can potentially transmit diseases. 

Though they’re especially active in wooded areas, ticks also thrive in yards, particularly in areas with tall grass, dense vegetation, leaf litter, and shady, moist environments. Follow these tips to get rid of ticks in the yard, and prevent them from setting up camp in the first place. 

Keep a Tidy Yard 

A maintained yard doesn’t just look great—it can help keep out rodents, snakes, and pests like ticks. “Keep all your outdoor play areas and lawns groomed and clear of brush, grass clippings, woodpiles and leaf debris,” advises Scot Hodges, A.C.E. certified entomologist at Arrow Exterminators. “These are ideal havens for rodents such as mice and rats which are renowned carriers of fleas and ticks.” 

Mow Frequently

While ticks very much enjoy a woodsy environment, they’ll definitely settle for long grass. Missing your mowing appointment by a day or two isn’t going to suddenly cause issues, but grass or weeds left unattended for long periods provide a shady and safe place for ticks to live and reproduce. Jim McHale, entomologist and CEO of JP McHale Pest Management, says that ticks won’t thrive in short vegetation, so it’s best to keep your lawn mowed. 

Build a Tick Defense Barrier 

Along with keeping your yard trim and tidy, consider creating a physical buffer zone around the perimeter to keep ticks from entering. “You can create a buffer zone using wood chips or gravel between wooded areas and your lawn,” says Allan Bossel, a pest expert at BBE Bed Bug Exterminator. “This dry barrier makes it harder for ticks to move into your property. You could also consider putting up a fence that will deter deer and other animals carrying mites from entering your yard.”

Use Chemical Treatments 

When you’ve got a tick infestation, sometimes the best plan of action is to use pest-killing treatments that tackle the source quickly. “Tick tubes or professional-grade tick control sprays can be utilized to target different stages in their life cycle,” Bossel says. He adds, “Permethrin-treated cotton balls placed around your property attract mice, which will use them when making nests and kill any ticks they harbor.”

Use Natural Repellents 

If you want to get rid of ticks naturally, there are some more eco-friendly alternatives you can try. Jerry Wang, owner at DIYPestWarehouse, suggests using certain essential oils. “Essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon can act as natural tick repellents,” he explains. “Dilute a few drops of these oils in water and spray them around your yard, paying attention to shrubs, fences, and entry points.” 

Add Tick-Repelling Plants to Your Yard 

Another natural way to get rid of ticks is to grow some beautiful plants that these tiny arachnids aren’t very fond of. “Some plants—such as lavender, eucalyptus, and garlic—repel ticks,” Bossel says. Mint is another herb you can try to deter ticks, and two flowers to consider are chrysanthemums and marigolds.

Attract Tick Predators

Flora isn’t the only part of the animal kingdom you can use to your advantage when trying to remove ticks from yards. Fauna can help too! “Encourage tick-eating animals like birds, chickens, and guinea fowl to visit your yard,” Wang advises. “These animals feed on ticks and can help control their population naturally.” You can do this by planting foods they eat, hanging bird feeders, adding bird baths, and even keeping chickens or fowl.

Let the Sun Shine 

Infusing your yard with sunlight is a natural way to deter them from rudely entering your space. “Trim large bushes, trees, and shrubs to allow for more direct sunlight in your yard,” McHale explains. “Ticks prefer cool, moist areas and sunlight can make your yard much less hospitable.” 

Hire a Professional 

If your tick problem is persistent and you’ve tried the above without any luck, it’s time to call in a professional. Pest terminators know exactly where and how to apply tick-killing products in your yard, and they can come up with a game plan to remedy the issue completely. This may involve a series of visits to monitor the issue and aggressively crack down on the population.