Ticks in the garden, how to get rid of them using folk remedies? - briefly
A vinegar‑water spray applied to foliage combined with a perimeter of diatomaceous earth markedly reduces tick populations. Burning rosemary or lavender leaves nearby creates a natural repellent that further deters infestation.
Ticks in the garden, how to get rid of them using folk remedies? - in detail
Ticks thrive in moist, shaded soil and tall vegetation, making garden beds a common habitat. Reducing their population begins with environmental management: keep grass trimmed to 5 cm, remove leaf litter, and thin dense shrubbery. Sunlight and airflow discourage tick development.
Traditional approaches focus on natural repellents and habitat alteration. Effective methods include:
- Wood ash – Sprinkle a thin layer on garden paths and around plant bases. The alkaline environment dehydrates ticks and disrupts their sensory receptors.
- Diatomaceous earth – Apply dry, food‑grade powder to soil surfaces. Microscopic silica particles abrade the exoskeleton, causing desiccation.
- Garlic infusion – Soak crushed garlic cloves in water for 24 hours, strain, and spray the liquid onto foliage. Sulfur compounds repel questing ticks.
- Essential oil blends – Mix 10 ml of cedarwood, 5 ml of rosemary, and 5 ml of peppermint oil with 1 liter of water and a few drops of liquid soap. Distribute the solution around perimeter fences and garden borders.
- Nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae) – Introduce beneficial nematodes into moist soil. These microscopic parasites infect and kill tick larvae without harming plants or pets.
Additional preventive measures reinforce folk solutions:
- Plant tick‑repellent species such as lavender, rosemary, and tansy along borders.
- Install a barrier of wood chips or mulch treated with a mild solution of neem oil, which deters adult ticks from crossing.
- Encourage wildlife that preys on ticks, for example, ground‑hunting birds, by providing nesting boxes.
When applying any treatment, observe safety guidelines: wear gloves during application, keep pets away until surfaces dry, and reapply after heavy rain or irrigation. Combining habitat modification with regular use of natural repellents yields a sustained reduction in tick activity throughout the garden.