How to Easily Get Rid of Ticks in Your House and Garden

A tick infestation can turn into a serious problem at home. Contrary to what you might think, ticks don't only show up because you have cats or dogs — they can also make their way into the house without you noticing, hitching a ride on your clothes.

Inside the home, they nest in damp, dark spots, waiting to find their next host and continue their life cycle. There are many ways to get rid of ticks in the house and yard — here are the most effective methods!

Steps to get rid of ticks quickly and easily

No commercial or homemade product will work as intended unless you first take care of a few preliminary steps:

• You need to deworm/treat your pet against parasites. Whether it's a cat or a dog, if ticks are in the house because of your furry friend, you need to protect them against ticks; otherwise, you won't get rid of the infestation.
• Thoroughly clean every area of the house. Vacuum floors, furniture, rugs, corners, surfaces, etc.; this will trap some ticks and their eggs. When you're done, seal the vacuum bag and throw it away in an airtight container.
• Steam-clean and wash fabrics in hot water, such as cushions, rugs, and curtains, as well as all the family's clothing. Heat kills tick eggs.
• Keep your pet's belongings clean and wash all their items in hot water.

• How to deworm a dog

Commercial products for getting rid of ticks at home

On the market you'll find various products designed to eliminate ticks in the home. They're formulated with chemicals that are toxic to ticks, their eggs, and nymphs, killing them off from the start.

Despite being effective, these products need to be used with caution, since most are dangerous for children and pets.

The most popular products are:

• Tick sprays: sold in metal cans with a spray nozzle. Used to spray floors and walls.
• Insect repellents for clothing: can be used at home during a tick infestation, in the yard, or on hikes in mountainous areas. Most of these repellents are sprayed onto people's clothing, keeping ticks away.
• Insecticidal floor cleaners: complement anti-tick treatment. These are products suitable for cleaning household floors.
• Ultrasonic devices: an electronic device that emits a sound frequency unpleasant to insects, and therefore to ticks. It's recommended to use it alongside other methods, to cover every possible way ticks could get into the home.

As for brands and product names, these vary depending on where you live. Some well-known ones are: Talstar, Coopex Pintura, Ficam, Anasac Pest Control, Bug B Gon, Repel 100, and/or Cyperkill 25 EC.

You can check with local stores about the most effective brands. Be sure to follow the instructions on whichever insecticide you buy so you use it correctly.

If the infestation has spread a lot and you don't know how to get rid of it, hire a pest control service.

How to get rid of ticks at home with homemade methods?

Many people prefer to use natural or homemade remedies to get rid of ticks in the house. There are several reasons for this, but most people are looking to avoid the side effects of chemical exposure, as well as looking for sustainable, non-polluting options.

Once you've thoroughly cleaned the house, it's a good idea to apply these homemade methods.

Lemon / Citrus against ticks

Citrus smells pleasant to humans, but many animals find the scent unbearable, including ticks.

In a container, place 3 slices of lemon and 3 slices of orange. Cover with warm water and let sit for a couple of hours. Then strain out the slices and use the water to spray kitchen surfaces and mop floors.

This method works both to fight off a tick infestation and to prevent it from coming back.

Getting rid of ticks with salt

You can use this homemade solution after doing a general vacuuming of the house. All you need is regular table salt and a vacuum cleaner.

Spread the salt around the house — it's something that attracts ticks. Then simply vacuum up the salt and throw away the sealed bag.

Physic nut and oleander against ticks

Aromatic plants are another homemade option for controlling a tick infestation. In this case, prepare a natural repellent by mixing physic nut leaves, oleander, rosemary, and 3 lemon slices. Cover with water, let sit, and then strain the contents.

Use this mixture to spray floors, clean surfaces, and mist around doors and windows.

Getting rid of ticks with baking soda

Baking soda has many uses around the house, one of them being as a cleaner and insect repellent. To make this repellent you'll need 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of table salt, and 1 tablespoon of water.

Mix all the ingredients until you get a paste; if needed, add more baking soda or salt until you reach the right consistency.

Use this remedy to seal up cracks where ticks get in, such as holes in the wall, gaps around windows, etc.

Essential oils to prevent ticks

Essential oils give off pleasant scents, but ones that are very strong for most insects. Get eucalyptus, peppermint, spearmint, lavender, and tea tree oil from a health food store.

In a container with 2 liters of water, add 10 drops of each oil and mix well. Use this mixture to spray around the house — it works to keep ticks from getting in.

How to get rid of ticks in the yard and garden

Ticks don't just get into houses — it's common to find them in gardens, where they carry out their natural life cycle. If you've confirmed you have a tick infestation in your garden, apply these first steps:

• Remove all fallen leaves and dry branches.
• Prune trees to reduce shaded areas.
• Get rid of garden debris, dry logs, and any other unused items.
• Keep children out of the garden while the infestation persists.

Once you've done these steps, you can apply these remedies to get rid of ticks in the yard:

Spraying sulfur to kill ticks

Sulfur is a chemical known for its yellow color and sharp smell. You can buy it at drugstores and pharmacies, since it has insecticidal properties. Patio tiles, concrete areas, and garages can be dusted with sulfur, after cleaning, to eliminate and repel ticks.

Keep in mind that this substance is toxic — you shouldn't use it near your plants, and it's not recommended if you have pets, since it can be lethal. Likewise, don't let children near the area treated with this chemical.

Dish soap for getting rid of ticks

Dish soap products don't just have cleaning properties — they're also antiseptic and antifungal. For this reason, they can help you get rid of ticks in the yard.

In a container with 5 liters of water, add half a liter of dish soap and 4 cloves of garlic. Let it sit for several hours, then use the water to clean the patio. The strong smell will keep ticks away.

These remedies should only be used in your patio area, not on plants. For the garden, there are tick insecticides that are safe for plants. Check with your local garden center about the most suitable products.

Preventing a tick infestation

The fight against ticks doesn't end once they're gone — you need to keep up certain habits to prevent them from coming back:

• Deep, frequent cleaning of the home.
• Maintaining the garden and yard.
• Regular parasite prevention for your pets.

In the garden, apply these natural methods to repel ticks:

Plant aromatic herbs

Just like with essential oils, most aromatic plants are unpleasant to ticks and insects in general.

Plant mint, spearmint, eucalyptus, and lavender — the scent will keep ticks away. This method should be combined with other preventive measures.

Use diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth is popular as a fertilizer; however, it also repels arachnid-family pests, such as mites, spiders, and ticks. It's used the same way as other fertilizers: turn over the soil where you want to apply it and mix it in, making sure the fertilizer doesn't end up too deep.

These preventive garden methods also complement the tick treatment you apply inside the house and in the yard.

Getting rid of ticks in the home is a process where you need to use several methods together — that's the only way to fully get rid of them. If needed, remember you can hire a professional to handle the process and get better results.