How to Get Rid of Ticks

What most people know about a tick bite is that it can cause the nasty Lyme disease in dogs and in humans. Apart from this disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, monocytic ehrlichiosis, rocky mountain spotted fever are other illnesses which may get transmitted from a tick. Getting rid of these small blood sucking parasites and managing their population is not a daunting task as it may seem. There are two types of ticks; one kind is with soft outer shell and the other with hard outer shell. The former type stay in crevices, and show themselves only when foraging. The hard-shelled ones are the reason for concern, as these ticks keep themselves attached to their host for a longer period, feeding blood. Apart from feeding on other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, these parasites are mostly found among pets and humans. Having had a brief description about ticks, let's come down to the section of how to get rid of ticks?

Getting Rid of Ticks from the Yard

Ticks do not prefer short and trimmed grasses but they fancy weeds, brush and tall grasses. The reason for such liking is because they can climb on top of the tall grasses, and easily latch on to their prey (preferably you and your pets). So keeping the landscape neat and trimmed is the first line of defense against increasing tick population, and getting rid of them at the same time. Spraying basil infused water is also effective in getting rid of ticks in the yard. To prepare the mixture, place a basil plant into a jar of water, and allow it to sit for about two hours, before spraying it.

Getting Your House Tick Free

Keeping your pets from wandering in the yard or woods can be helpful in avoiding a tick infestation in your home, especially in the months of April through September (known as the tick season). Dogs and cats are the most common hosts of ticks, and so are the primary carriers of these insects into homes, and eventually onto humans. So, it is advisable to check for ticks each time your pet returns indoors, lest it might be carrying some of these parasites. Areas to look for infestation are inside and behind the ears, and around the eyes. You can go for veteran-approved tick repellent for your pets which would kill the ticks that come in contact with them. Tick and flea collars are also available to eliminate these pesky parasites. Apart from all these measures, giving a good bath to your pet proves more effective.

During summers, kids often go around playing outdoors in tall grasses, woods and the like. And these are the places which are mostly inhabited by ticks. So it is necessary that you check your kids' upper back, back of the neck, behind the ears and hair once they return home. These are the hot spots ticks most commonly latch on to. It is also wise to advise your kids to avoid playing in areas where there are possibilities of tick invasion. And if a tick is found, use a pair of tweezers to gently pull it out. Do not rush it, as you may leave some part of the tick's mouth buried into the skin, which may still cause an infection.

Bringing home some Guinea hens is a natural way of getting rid of ticks in house. These hens are known to be good tick hunters, and can help in reducing tick population.

Non-toxic pesticides are organic by nature, and can be used in your house for tick problems. Carpets, furniture and things that are mostly used must be sprayed with such pesticides. And if in case you are not aware about the right kind of pesticide, then a pest control expert must be contacted. If you suspect a tick invasion in your house, then the first thing to do would be vacuuming your entire house, and getting your clothes laundered.

If proper prevention methods are followed against tick invasion in the first place, then the question of how to get rid of ticks, stands void. If you have a garden to work upon, then be sure to wear light and full sleeve clothes while working. After you are done with your work, check your clothes for ticks, and if you find any, then use a pair of tweezers as mentioned above. Do not throw them in a dustbin or elsewhere, but burn them or immerse them in a bottle of alcohol. Avoid touching the ticks with bare hands as it might cause an infection if your hands touch your mouth or eyes. The above techniques combined with proper hygiene, are the best ways to get rid of ticks from your house and nearby surrounding.