Ticks are some of the most common pests in the world. In fact, many species of ticks are likely to settle in your yard. This can be quite problematic as they pose a serious threat to your safety and health. These blood-sucking pests can carry diseases that can harm you or your pets. This is why you'll want to do all you can to protect your home from ticks. This is easier said than done as they can be quite tricky to deal with. To help you out, we thought it would be useful to put together a brief article about this subject. If you want to learn more about this, read on as we break down everything you need to know about ticks.

What Are Ticks?

While ticks are often mistaken for insects, they are actually arachnids. They are related to scorpions, mites, and spiders. There are many different varieties of ticks in the world. Ticks can be grey, white, brown, black, reddish-brown, or even yellow in colour. Many species of ticks carry diseases.

Ticks get blood from blood-feeding on animals, including humans. When a tick has had its fill, it will swell up and become round. Nymphs and adult ticks have eight legs; their larvae have six. At any stage of the tick's life cycle, it can bite humans and animals.

How Can You Spot Ticks?

Before you can deal with ticks, you need to be able to spot them first. This can be rather difficult as ticks are notoriously elusive. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to figure out if you have ticks in your yard.

Tick dragging is an effective technique to spot ticks in your yard. Grab a light-coloured sheet or towel and drag it through the yard. This will remove any ticks that might be hiding in the grass. If there are ticks on the sheet after dragging it through the yard, move them to an area without grass, like a driveway, and inspect them carefully for ticks. 

If you have outdoor pets, there's a good chance they're picking up ticks in your yard. Examine your pets after they come inside by running your fingers through their hair. A tick will feel like a hard, small mass. Be thorough and use gentle pressure to make sure you don't miss any ticks.

How Do You Get Rid of Ticks?

Nobody wants ticks in their yard, but what can you do to deter them? Luckily, there are many effective home remedies that are safe for dogs and other pets, and take care of the problem. What’s great about these tips is that they make use of natural methods that won’t put you in harm’s way.

If you’re looking for a natural way to kill ticks in your yard, then diatomaceous earth is just what you need.  Diatomaceous earth is a powder made from fossilized organisms, and it is one of the most effective non-toxic ways to eliminate ticks. 

One of our favourite natural tick repellents is cedar oil spray. Cedar oil flies off the shelves at the local pharmacy. It’s even stocked at the front counter of convenience stores stocking hiking supplies.

Conclusion

We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to furthering your understanding of ticks and how you can keep them out of your yard. While this may seem like a lot of work, keeping ticks out of your yard will allow you to best protect yourself and the other people that reside in your home. If you need professional help, don’t hesitate to reach out to pest control professionals.

Are you in need of pest control in Sydney to help you with your tick problem? Roach Busters offers a wide range of professional services to eradicate pests. Get a free quote today!