How to Kill Ticks in the Yard Around Your House

Dogs can be plagued by tick populations that can exist in lawns.

There are hundreds of tick species, though few are capable of causing harm to humans or animals. Ticks thrive in moist or humid environments and feed on the blood of hosts. Though the bite of a tick is not painful, these pests can carry diseases such as Lyme disease that can infect a host. Removing ticks from a lawn is a simple process and can help prevent dangerous health problems.

Things You'll Need

• Lawnmower
• Rake
• Trash bags
• Pesticide

Instructions

1. Mow the lawn to a height that will allow more sunlight into the grass. Change your lawnmower blades to allow for a height of no more than 3 inches of grass when mowing. This will help prevent moisture and humidity that can harbor an attractive environment for ticks. Pull up weeds that grow quickly. Avoid dense plant beds like ivy that can provide a prime environment for ticks.

2. Use a rake to remove dead leaves that lie dormant throughout the lawn. Bag them up in a trash bag and throw them out rather than leave them in a pile at the corner of the lawn.

3. Scan the perimeters of the lawn for items such as stacked firewood that can hold ticks. Large hanging branches on trees can also be trimmed back to allow more sunlight into the lawn area.

4. Remove any items in the lawn that can be attractive for wild animals. Bird feeders can attract birds, many of which act as a host for ticks. Other animals that attract ticks include deer and mice. Try to prevent these animals from approaching your property by using fences and placing traps for mice.

5. Apply a pesticide to the lawn as a last resort. These chemicals come in both liquid and granular forms and can be purchased at most lawn and garden stores. Many tick pesticides can contain potent chemicals, and some can only be purchased by professionals. If safety is an issue or there are small children in the household, it is best to call a tick removal service to spray the lawn.

Tips & Warnings

• If ticks are present in a lawn, insect repellents that contain DEET can help protect humans from the pests.

References

• U.S. Army: Tick Control
• American Lawns: Ticks