I’ve been searching the web high and low for the best pest control for ticks because my yard is infested with them. I’m not talking about just a few here and there, but everywhere I look, I see them. This tick problem got me really upset so I was determined to fix it once and for all. After 2 weeks researching online, test driving a few different products on the market, and trying out several suggestions from friends and family, this is the list of the best pest control for ticks that will work for almost anyone. Why should you use the best pest control for ticks? Pests are no fun to have in and around your house. Ticks are troublesome because they carry disease with them, so it’s important to get them under control before they spread sickness. Here I’ll go over why you should call the best pest control for ticks to help keep your home safe and healthy. Have you ever wondered what the best pest control for ticks is? The truth is, any pest control for ticks on the market can work — but there are a few things that need to be considered. Every year ticks are responsible for killing thousands of dogs and people and infecting others with diseases such as Lyme disease. So, really, controlling them has become more important than ever.

Best Pest Control For Ticks

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.