How Can You Prevent Ticks in Your Backyard? Here’s Our Natural Method…
Spending time outdoors should feel relaxing, not like you’re walking into a tick minefield. If you’re tired of worrying about tick bites while gardening, playing with your kids, or letting your pets roam, the good news is that with the right yard treatments and simple strategies, you can tickproof your backyard with organic products.
Here’s the step-by-step method we use to keep our yards safe, healthy, and tick-free — using trusted products like Wondercide and Cedarcide, along with smart landscaping techniques.
Step 1: Keep Your Grass Short and Your Yard Tidy
Ticks love tall grass, leaf piles, and shady, overgrown areas. Your first line of defense is simple yard maintenance:
- Mow grass regularly and keep it short (especially around edges, fences, and play areas).
- Remove leaf litter, brush piles, and overgrown weeds.
- Trim shrubs and trees to let more sunlight in (ticks hate dry, sunny areas).
- Stack firewood neatly and in dry areas to discourage rodents (who often carry ticks).
Pro Tip: Create a gravel or wood chip barrier (3 feet wide) between your lawn and wooded areas to reduce tick migration.
Step 2: Apply a Natural Yard Treatment
Once your yard is clean and clear, it’s time to treat it. Natural sprays can kill and repel ticks without harsh chemicals, making them safer for kids, pets, and pollinators.
Our top product picks:
- Wondercide Flea & Tick Yard Spray – Made with cedar oil, this spray kills ticks on contact and repels new ones for weeks. Simply attach to your hose and spray your lawn, shrubs, and perimeter.
- Cedarcide Outdoor Bug Spray – Another cedar-based formula that’s effective against ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes. Great for regular treatment every few weeks.
How to apply:
Spray in the morning or evening (avoid mid-day heat), covering grass, shrubs, under decks, and fence lines. Reapply every 2–4 weeks during peak tick season (spring–fall).
Step 3: Use Tick Tubes or Beneficial Nematodes
If you want to further improve your yard treatment, try adding these two methods:
- Tick Tubes (like Thermacell Tick Control Tubes) — These cardboard tubes contain treated cotton that mice use for nesting, killing ticks on mice (a major carrier). Or learn how to make your own here…
- Beneficial Nematodes — Tiny worms that kill tick larvae in soil. Apply with a sprayer once or twice a season.
Both are safe for people, pets, and pollinators — and they target ticks at different stages.
Step 4: Protect Pets and People Too
Yard treatment alone isn’t enough — don’t forget personal protection:
- Use pet-safe tick collars or spot-on treatments (like Wondercide Pet Spray).
- Wear permethrin-treated clothing or natural repellents when spending time outside.
- Do regular tick checks on people and pets after yard activities.
Final Thoughts: Tickproofing Is About Layers
There’s no single magic fix — but by combining yard maintenance, natural treatments, and smart protection, you can enjoy your backyard with confidence.
Useful Products We Recommend for Tickproofing Your Yard
| Product | Why We Like It | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Wondercide Flea & Tick Yard Spray | Natural cedar oil formula, easy hose attachment | Buy on Amazon |
| Cedarcide Outdoor Bug Spray | Great cedar-based alternative, strong tick repellent | Buy on Amazon |
| Thermacell Tick Tubes | Targets ticks on mice, easy to deploy (or make your own) | Buy on Amazon |
| Beneficial Nematodes | Kills ticks in soil naturally | Buy on Amazon |
