If ticks infest the garden, they scare even the most animal-friendly gardener. A tick infestation is accompanied by the constant risk of infection by Lyme disease or TBE (tick-borne encephalitis). This guide explains objectively and comprehensibly which means effectively combat pests without the use of chemicals.
How can you get rid of ticks in the garden naturally?
To fight ticks in the garden naturally, you can use a homemade remedy made from citrus fruits, water and peppermint leaves or essential oils. For long-term defense, you should also make your garden flooded with sunlight by thinning out trees and bushes, keeping the lawn short and removing leaves.
Infestation test provides information – this is how you can detect ticks in the garden
Do you suspect that your pet caught a tick in the garden rather than in the forest? You can then use a simple test to check whether the bloodsuckers are on your property. For this purpose, pull a white cloth or sheet over the entire vegetation. Then examine black or brown dots on the fabric with a magnifying glass. As arachnids, ticks can be clearly identified by their eight legs.
Make your own remedy for ticks – this is how it works
If you have discovered ticks in your garden, please take action immediately. In the early infestation stage, there is a good chance that you can get rid of the dangerous bloodsuckers with a home remedy. The following recipe is based on natural ingredients to combat the pests without toxins. This is how it works:
- Boil a liter of water in a pot
- Slice some citrus fruits
- Put in the boiling water and let it cook for a minute
- Add peppermint leaves or essential oils to enhance the effect
- Simmer for another hour
Pour the cooled solution into a pressure sprayer or spray bottle. Treat all dark, damp, cool locations in the garden regularly with the product while tick season is in effect from April to October. Refresh the repellent, especially after a rain shower.
Fighting on two levels – so ticks have no chance
The recommended home remedy alone is not enough to combat these hard-core pests. By taking the following measures in the garden, you will keep the cunning ticks under control so that sooner or later they will run away. The strategy aims for a sun-drenched garden, which the beasts don't like. How to do it right:
- Prune shrubs and trees regularly and thin them out thoroughly
- Keep the lawn short throughout the season
- Store firewood in a dry and light place
- Don't leave leaves on the ground
As a preventative measure, we recommend removing abandoned nests and cleaning birdhouses in late autumn. The dangerous crawling creatures prefer to nest and hibernate in these locations. Since ticks continue to be active in mild winter weather, protect yourself year-round with autan and long-sleeved clothing when fighting the tough insects.
Tip
When you create a new garden, you can prevent impending tick infestations with a simple remedy. By enclosing the property with a close-meshed, high fence, you keep the bloodsuckers' host animals at a distance. Neither fox, nor rabbit, nor vole should overcome this barrier. A depth of 50 cm and a height of 200 cm is therefore recommended as a suitable dimension.