How to Get Rid of Ticks in Your Yard

How to Get Rid of Ticks in Your Yard

Ticks can be difficult to control because they often live in tall grass, leaf litter, shrubs, brush and shaded areas rather than the open center of a well-maintained lawn. They can also be carried into your yard by pets, rodents and other wildlife.

Getting rid of ticks requires a combination of targeted yard treatment, vegetation management, cleanup and ongoing prevention.

Why Are Ticks in Your Yard?

Ticks rely on animals for feeding and can be carried onto residential properties by:

• Dogs and cats

• Rodents

• Squirrels

• Rabbits

• Raccoons

• Other wildlife

Properties near wooded areas, brush or dense vegetation may provide particularly favorable tick habitat.

Where Do Ticks Hide in a Yard?

Before treating your yard, identify the areas where ticks are most likely to be present.

Pay particular attention to:

• Tall grass

• Leaf litter

• Dense shrubs

• Brush

• Groundcover

• Wooded edges

• Fence lines

• Shaded landscaping

• Areas around wood piles

• Places where wildlife travels

• Areas where pets spend time

The boundary between a maintained lawn and wooded or overgrown vegetation can be an especially important area.

Step 1: Keep Your Grass Mowed

Regular mowing helps reduce tall vegetation that can provide favorable tick habitat.

Pay particular attention to grass:

• Along fences

• Around trees

• Near shrubs

• Around pet areas

• At the edges of the property

Keeping the lawn maintained also makes it easier to identify and treat potential problem areas.

Step 2: Remove Leaf Litter

Ticks can find protection in accumulated leaves and other organic debris.

Remove unnecessary leaf litter from:

• Yard edges

• Around trees

• Under shrubs

• Along fences

• Around decks

• Near wooded boundaries

Don't allow large amounts of leaves to remain in shaded portions of the yard.

Step 3: Trim Overgrown Vegetation

Dense vegetation can provide shade and moisture while creating habitat for animals that may carry ticks.

Trim:

• Bushes

• Shrubs

• Groundcover

• Tall weeds

• Vegetation along fences

• Overgrown property boundaries

Keeping vegetation maintained can make parts of your yard less favorable for ticks.

Step 4: Pay Attention to Wooded Edges

If your lawn borders woods, brush or an unmanaged area, the transition between these environments deserves special attention.

Ticks and wildlife may be more active along these boundaries than in the center of an open lawn.

Keep these areas maintained and remove excessive leaf litter, weeds and unnecessary vegetation where practical.

Step 5: Reduce Wildlife-Friendly Conditions

Wildlife can continually introduce ticks onto your property.

Reduce unnecessary conditions that provide shelter for rodents and other animals, such as:

• Yard debris

• Dense brush

• Clutter underneath decks

• Unnecessary wood or material piles

• Overgrown vegetation

Addressing the animals that transport ticks can be an important part of long-term tick management.

Step 6: Identify Where Pets Spend Time

Dogs and cats that spend time outdoors can encounter ticks and potentially carry them into the home.

Pay particular attention to:

• Pet play areas

• Outdoor kennels

• Shaded resting areas

• Paths pets regularly use

• Areas along fences and shrubs

Speak with your veterinarian about appropriate tick prevention for your pets.

Step 7: Treat Appropriate Areas With Natural Armor

Apply Natural Armor Flea, Tick & Mosquito Shield according to the product label directions.

Focus treatment on appropriate outdoor areas where ticks are likely to live or where animals may encounter them.

Depending on the approved uses on the label, these may include areas around:

• Lawns

• Landscaping

• Shrubs

• Yard edges

• Fence lines

• Trees

• Pet activity areas

• Other appropriate outdoor locations

Always follow the label regarding coverage, application method and permitted treatment areas.

Step 8: Focus on Tick Habitat

Simply spraying the open center of your lawn may overlook the areas most likely to contain ticks.

Concentrate your inspection and appropriate treatment around:

• Shaded vegetation

• Tall grass

• Leaf litter

• Brush

• Property boundaries

• Areas frequented by wildlife

• Areas where pets spend time

Targeting likely tick habitat can make your yard-control strategy more focused.

Step 9: Continue Maintaining the Yard

Tick control isn't necessarily a one-time project.

Continue to:

• Mow grass

• Trim vegetation

• Remove leaf litter

• Clean up yard debris

• Maintain property edges

• Monitor wildlife activity

• Keep pet areas maintained

These steps reduce some of the conditions that allow ticks to remain around your property.

Step 10: Monitor and Reapply as Directed

Continue checking tick-prone areas after treatment.

If activity continues, inspect the property again for areas that may have been overlooked.

Follow the Natural Armor product label regarding whether and when another application should be made.

Never apply more product or treat more frequently than directed.

How Often Should You Treat Your Yard for Ticks?

The appropriate treatment frequency depends on the product directions and conditions around your property.

Always follow the reapplication instructions on the Natural Armor Flea, Tick & Mosquito Shield product label.

Properties with dense vegetation, wooded boundaries or frequent wildlife activity may require particularly consistent yard maintenance.

Can Ticks Come Back After Yard Treatment?

Yes.

Even after reducing ticks already present, pets and wildlife can introduce new ticks to the property.

That's why long-term tick control should combine appropriate treatment with:

• Lawn maintenance

• Vegetation management

• Leaf removal

• Wildlife management

• Appropriate tick prevention for pets

Control Yard Ticks With Natural Armor

Natural Armor Flea, Tick & Mosquito Shield is designed to help control fleas, ticks and mosquitoes in appropriate outdoor areas when used according to the product directions.

For ticks, focus on the places they're most likely to live: shaded vegetation, yard edges, leaf litter, shrubs and areas where pets or wildlife travel.

Combining targeted treatment with regular yard maintenance can provide a more complete approach to controlling ticks around your home.

Always read and follow all application instructions, approved uses and precautions on the Natural Armor Flea, Tick & Mosquito Shield product label.