Summer may have come to a close but this is no time to let your guard down when it comes to ticks and other pests in your garden. While it is true that most tickborne illnesses are contracted and reported during the summer months, tick season can be all year round depending on where you live.
Worse still, reports of tickborne diseases like lyme disease have been steadily rising since 2016, with a reported 59,349 cases of tickborne diseases in 2017 alone, according to a report published by the CDC.
And with the recent pandemic keeping people isolated in their homes, backyards have become sanctuaries of escape. Still, no one wants to trade in a novel virus just to wind up with a tickborne illness.
With that in mind, let’s go over some of the best tick repellent for yard products in the hopes to better keep yourself and your loved ones safe from ticks all year long.
Contents
What Is A Tick Repellent For Yard And How Does It Work?
Tick repellents work by using natural ingredients and chemical ingredients to repel and kill ticks.
Tick repellent for yard products can come in all kinds of forms, from natural repellent products that use plant-based ingredients to repel ticks to pesticides, to DEET products, and even ultrasonic sound repellents.
But how do tick repellent for yard products work? Well, it’s important to remember that not all tick repellents are going to work 100% of the time and most work best when used in conjunction with other tick control efforts.
In fact, there are also home remedies you can use and landscaping habits experts suggest you adopt during tick season and beyond. It’s also wise keep up with personal care, pet tick control, and vigilance when out and about.
Furthermore, we should also note that the success rate for which tick control for yard products work will depend on if you use natural sprays, insecticides, pesticides, home remedies, etc.
Let’s go over a few of the best tick repellent products available as recommended by experts and talk about the pros and cons of each different type.
Keep reading.
Natural Tick Repellent For Yard Vs Pesticides & Insecticides – The Pros And Cons
While insecticides and pesticides are effective against ticks, they can also be harmful to beneficial insects like ladybugs.
As with all pest control products, there are pros and cons to using both natural and chemical repellents. Before choosing a specific tick repellent for yard method, we recommend doing plenty of research and going over the pros and cons of each product type to ensure the product you choose is right for you and your loved ones.
To get you started, we have listed some of the pros and cons of both natural tick repellent for yard products as well as insecticide and pesticide tick repellent products for your yard below.
Natural Tick Repellent For Yards Pros
- Most natural tick repellents use botanical and natural ingredients which are safer for people, pets and the environment
- Most natural tick repellents will not release toxic chemicals into the soil, water and air.
- Natural repellents are generally safer to apply and can be done so with children and pets nearby
Natural Tick Repellent For Yards Cons
- Many natural tick repellent products must be reapplied more often in order to be effective
- Organic and naturally derived tick repellent for yard products might be more expensive
Pesticide and Insecticide Tick repellent For Yards Pros
- Pesticides and insecticides may work quicker than some natural tick repellents
- Pesticides and insecticides are relatively affordable and simple to find
- Pesticides and insecticides are easy to apply and often work for longer periods at a time
Pesticide and Insecticide Tick Repellent For Yard Cons
- Pesticides and insecticides contain harmful chemicals that can be toxic to people, pets and the environment
- Pesticides and insecticides have been shown to contaminate the soil and water supply, making them controversial to use in residential settings
- Many pesticides and insecticides kill beneficial insects as well as ticks including bees, ladybugs, butterflies, etc
- Pesticides in particular may require professional application from a pest control expert, which can be more costly
Best Natural Tick Repellents For Yard
Most natural tick repellents are safe to use on garden plants.
Have you decided that natural tick repellent for yard products are right for you and your family? If so, remember that not all natural pest repellent products will work for all pests, so picking the right product geared towards the pest you are after is key.
When it comes to ticks and finding the best tick repellent for yard products, we suggest looking for products that come in orders large enough to treat your entire yard and that are specifically designed to control ticks.
We have listed some of our favorite natural tick repellent for yard products below for you to consider.
Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray
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First on our list is a natural tick repellent product for your yard by Vet’s Best. We especially like this spray because it is made with natural essential oils and is specifically designed to protect pets from fleas and ticks safely, meaning it is also safe for humans as well.
You can spray this tick repellent around your yard and the outside perimeter of your home, as well as inside your dog’s kennel. Of course, always read the directions and make sure you keep this spray out of reach of children and pets when it is not in use.
Natural Chemistry Yard and Kennel Spray
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This tick repellent product for yards above is another product that is safe for pets and children. It covers up to 4,500 square feet and does not contain any harmful pyrethrins, which are toxic chemicals that can be dangerous for pets and people.
The product works on ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and flies as well, and is made with essential oils like cedar wood oil, cinnamon oil, and clove oil.
Cedarcide Insect Repellent Mulch Granules
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If you’re looking for a good tick repellent product for your yard that isn’t a spray, you’ll like the above mulch by Cedarcide.
We will talk further down about how creating a mulch barrier around your property can help repel ticks and other pests, but it also helps to use mulch that is specifically designed to repel ticks.
Cedarcide Mulch is natural and safe for people, pets and the environment. It also works to repel not only ticks but also fleas, mites, mosquitoes, and ants. Best of all, it is water activated and continues to work when wet, making it an excellent pest control product for outdoor use.
Best Pesticide and Insecticide Tick Repellent For Yard Products
Tick bites can lead to serious diseases and illnesses, and severe tick infestations may require chemical treatments like pesticides.
If you live in a region that is known for an abundance of tick activity, you may feel you have no choice but to use chemical tick repellent for yard products. Keep in mind that many pesticides require professional application by pest control experts and this could be costlier than using insecticides.
However, pesticides may be your most effective and long lasting option when it comes to tick repellent products for your yard, especially if you are concerned with the potential dangers of ticks in your area.
That said, there are also plenty of insecticides and other chemical tick repellent products for your yard that work as well which you can apply yourself. Remember, chemical tick repellent for yard products can be harmful to people and pets and should be used only as directed. Of course, they should also be kept out of reach of children and pets and stored in a safe space when not in use.
Bonide Ant Flea and Tick Killer Granules
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The above tick repellent granules by Bonide are highly effective when it comes to repelling ticks and other pests like spiders, fleas, earwigs and ants. The granules work by being spread throughout the yard and as a barrier around the perimeter of your property.
If you’re worried about using an insecticide granule all over your yard, you can also spot treat and target areas where you have noticed tick activity.
The active ingredient in these granules is permethrin, which is a very effective insecticide chemical that kills pests on contact. That said, this chemical is toxic to people and pets. Only use these granules as directed and keep them out of reach of children.
Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer For Lawn
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Ortho is a well-known brand popular amongst many homeowners and even professionals when it comes to pest control and tick repellent for yards.
The above product works for over 5,000 square feet and kills ticks, ants, fleas, spiders, mosquitoes and more. It works within minutes of application and provides up to three months of protection.
It’s active ingredient is Bifintrhin, which is a pesticide chemical that can be harmful to people, pets and the environment. As always, we recommend using this product only as directed and keeping it stored in a safe place away from children and pets.
Advantage Flea and Tick Yard Spray
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Last on our list of best tick repellent products for your yard is Advantage Flea and Tick Spray. This spray can be used as a perimeter spray, overall yard spray, or even as a spot treatment around your property to protect your loved ones and pets from ticks.
This insecticide spray is specifically designed to kill and repel fleas and ticks, but it does contain harsh chemicals so use it only as directed.
Best Homemade Tick Repellent For Yard – Ingredients and Recipes That Work
Ticks are repelled by a number of plants including chives. Companion planting chives in your garden with other plants can help reduce the number of ticks on your property.
Along with using the above tick repellent products for your yard, we also recommend you implement some home remedies to help keep ticks from causing problems in your backyard sanctuary.
Keeping ticks at bay in your yard and garden doesn’t have to be a pain, and it certainly doesn’t always require spending money on insecticides, pesticides and even natural sprays.
In fact, you may already have some tick-repellent ingredients in your medicine cabinet, gardening shed or kitchen pantry. Take a look.
Essential Oils That Repel Ticks:
- Citronella Oil
- Tea Tree Oil
- Peppermint Oil
- Cedar Oil
- Eucalyptus Oil
- Neem Oil
- Garlic Oil
- Lavender Oil
Household Ingredients That Repel Ticks:
- Cinnamon
- Garlic
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Plants and Trees That Repel Ticks:
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Basil
- Catnip
- Lemongrass
- Garlic Plants
- Peppermint Plants
- Mint
- Chrysanthemums
- Marigolds
- Sage
- Pennyroyal
- Wormwood
- Rue
- Eucalyptus
- Chives
- Beautyberry
- Scented Geraniums
Tick Repellent For Yard Homemade Recipes
You can have all the above household ingredients to repel ticks above, but if you don’t know how to apply them they are relatively useless as tick repellent products for your yard. But don’t worry, we have a few tried and proven recipes that work for tick control.
Essential Oil Tick Repellent Spray For Yard
Ingredients:
- 12 to 24 Drops of the tick repellent essential oil of your choice
- 1 to 2 cups of water (depending on how many drops of oil)
- 1 Spray bottle
Directions:
Pour the above ingredients into a spray bottle and mix the solution thoroughly. Spray it around the perimeter of your yard to help prevent and repel ticks and other pests like mice, rabbits, squirrels, spiders, and even snakes.
Apple Cider Vinegar And Neem Oil Spray
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of water
- 2 tbsp of Neem oil
- 4 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 spray bottle.
Directions:
Mix the above solution together and spray it around the perimeter of your yard and home to prevent and repel ticks. You can also spray this solution on clothing, furniture and shoes. Of course, do research before spraying apple cider vinegar on certain garden plants, as it can be harmful to vegetation.
Other Ways To Keep Ticks Out Of Your Yard
Keeping your grass cut short can help reduce the number of ticks in your lawn.
Finding and using the best tick repellent for yard products certainly helps, but you shouldn’t rely solely on sprays and deterrents to protect your home and loved ones from these disease-transmitting arachnids.
In fact, along with using tick repellent for yards, there are several other steps you should take to help ensure your loved ones stay protected from ticks.
The below video talks more about how you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your yard from ticks.
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We also have a few more tips and tricks of our own. Take a look.
Keep Your Lawn Mowed Short
Ticks can’t jump or fly, so they rely on animal (or human) hosts to pick them up as they walk by. For this reason, ticks pick tall grasses and weeds to cling to and wait for a blood meal to pass by.
You can vastly reduce the number of ticks in your yard and the potential of picking ticks up while enjoying some outdoor time by simply keeping your lawn mowed short. Adopting this easy landscaping habit will also help reduce other pest problems like snakes, mice and rats.
Trim Down Weeds and Tall Grass Along The Perimeter Of Your Yard
Ticks can find their way onto your property easier if the perimeter of your property is ideal for them. Longer grass and weeds lining your property barrier can be a playground for ticks, making it all the more likely you, a loved one or even a pet will pick up a tick when passing by.
Along with keeping your lawn mowed short, we also suggest trimming back the weeds, grasses and shrubs along the perimeter of your property.
Add A Three Foot Mulch Barrier Around The Perimeter Of Your Yard
If you can, one of the best ways to keep ticks out of your lawn is to add a mulch barrier around your perimeter. Ticks don’t like mulch and will avoid it, so make sure the barrier is at least three feet wide.
This will also add a lovely divide between your property and either your neighbor’s property or surrounding fields, forests, etc that you live near.
Remove Debris Like Dead Leaves, Grass, and Wood
Some experts have found that leaving freshly cut grass or fallen leaves can help promote a healthier lawn, and while this is true, it can also provide an ideal habitat for ticks.
If your lawn is especially prone to ticks, then you might want to forgo leaving the debris in favor of protecting yourself and loved ones from these pests. So, when you’re done mowing your lawn, make sure to remove the cut grass. It’s also wise to rake up dead leaves, remove fallen branches, and relocate fire wood piles so they are away from areas you and your family congregate.
Use Targeted Pest Control Methods To Keep Wildlife Out Of Your Yard
Where there are wild animals, there are ticks. Wild animals like deer, rabbits, and even mice can bring ticks into your yard, so even if you use tick repellent for yard products and all the landscaping tips above, you’ll still be dealing with ticks if you don’t also target the wildlife.
To keep wildlife off of your property, we suggest you research the types of animals in your region. You can use effective, safe, and humane methods of wildlife repellent including ultrasonic sound machines, coyote urine spray, and even predator decoys.
Take a look at some of the best wild animal repellent products we recommend you use along with the best tick repellent for yard products below.
Bonide Repels-All Animal Repellent
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The above product may not be specifically designed as a tick repellent for yard, but it can help reduce ticks by repelling the animals that often carry them. The granules are people and pet safe, and you can use them by spreading them throughout your yard or using them as a barrier around the perimeter of your property.
The ingredients are all biodegradable and humane, meaning they are safe for your yard and garden, and will not harm the animals they are repelling. The animals that are specifically targeted include deer, rabbits, squirrels, mice, skunks, racoons, porcupines, rats, and more.
Solar Power Animal Stopper
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If you would prefer not to use granules or sprays to deter wildlife and possible tick-carriers, you can always use solar powered animal repellents like the ones listed above. These solar powered animal spikes come in an order of four and are designed to repel a number of problematic wildlife from coming into your yard.
They work by emitting frequencies into the ground that deter wild animals. Each spike covers up to 6,000 square feet and can run on both batteries and solar energy. These are perfectly safe to use in yards where children and pets play and safe to place in gardens.
Exterminators Choice Small Animal Repellent
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Last, we have this small animal repellent spray by exterminators choice. The spray is all natural and human, as it doesn’t harm the animals but simply repels them. It specifically targets smaller wildlife like raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, and rodents like mice and rats.
This product is all natural and safe for people and pets. You can use it in a variety of spaces as well including basements, attics, garden sheds, barns, as well as your yard, lawn and garden.
Remember, Tick Repellent For Yard Isn’t Always Full-Proof
Remember to wear protective clothing during tick season along with a personal tick repellent to keep yourself safe.
At the end of the day it’s important to also protect yourself from ticks as well. While using the best tick repellent for yard products and even pest control for wildlife will certainly help, you can’t always be one hundred percent sure that there aren’t ticks close by.
During tick season and especially if you live in an area rich in tick activity, it’s best to wear a personal tick repellent along with long sleeved shirts and pants. And while not every tick bite leads to an illness, infection or disease, it’s best to still let your health care professional know if you get bitten by a tick so they can log the incident and monitor you for symptoms.
We hope this has been a helpful guide on the best tick repellent for yard products and overall tick safety and prevention.
Remember to stay safe out there while enjoying your backyard sanctuary during these unprecedented times!
Jack founded our blog after two decades of working in the pest control industry. His vast experience dealing with a wide array of pests allows him to diagnose issues quickly and get to the heart of pest problems quickly and effectively. He has serviced more than 2,000 homes over his career and there is hardly any pest situation that he has not seen before.