Spring is a wonderful time to explore nature and have all the outdoor fun you've missed in the colder months. The one downside is the insect awakening. One bug that you’re probably dreading seeing this season is ticks. They may be small and silent, but ticks can really put a damper on wilderness adventures, even just enjoying your own backyard.
But fret no more! Wondercide is here to help you prepare for this tick invasion with healthy tips and tools. Preparation is the key component for combating annoying pests. Wondercide is breaking down how to get rid of ticks in your yard, on your person, and your pets!
What is a tick and where will you find them?
A tick begins life similarly to many other organisms: as an egg. They hatch into larvae, about the size of a grain of sand. They may seem innocent and small, but ticks are parasites that have a bad habit of sucking the blood of innocent animals. After their first meal, they shed their skin and become nymphs. During this stage, these little biting bugs grow a few extra legs, better to crawl on your skin with.
As adults, they become full villains. They climb onto tall vegetation, waiting eagerly to latch onto a host. This process is called questing. Often, ticks choose an animal host, but humans are not off the menu. After an adult tick bites their host, they’ll mate and then fall back onto the ground. Female ticks will then lay their eggs and most likely die.
In the U.S., the most common ticks are deer ticks, American dog ticks, and lone star ticks. They come in a few different colors such as white, grey, yellow, black, or brown.
No matter the type or color, ticks have a thirst for blood.
You’ll find ticks in wooded areas, tall grass, marshes, parks, playgrounds, or on other animals such as deer, rodents, or wild dogs or cats. They prefer warmer, humid temperatures but can survive in weather below 40 degrees.
How can you prevent ticks?
The good news is that you don’t have to let ticks keep you indoors all season. There are ways to prevent these little blood suckers from running amuck. First and foremost, after every walk through the woods, be sure to give your pup and your human family members a tick check. Sometimes, you’ll see the ticks crawling on their fur, but it’s important to check underneath the fur where ticks might have already bitten.
Protection for the yard:
Bug spray for the yard: As we know, ticks love to hide out in nature, and your yard is no exception. If you find a tick on you or your pet, there’s a chance it came from your own backyard. Arm your lawn with Wondercide’s Flea & Tick Yard + Garden spray to prevent ticks from breaching the premises. Since Wondercide ingredients are plant powered and, the residue is safe for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Plus, there’s no dry time required before pets and family enjoy the yard again.
Keep tick-ridden animals away: Putting up a fence to prevent deer or rodents from entering your territory is a good way to reduce ticks because they often travel with certain wildlif. Keeping those animals off your property is a good way to keep the ticks at bay.
Clean up your yard: Additionally, keeping a neat and tidy yard can help reduce the amount of ticks that stop by. Wrake up leaves and debris and remove rotting wood. Mow your grass as frequently as possible since ticks thrive in tall grass and vegetation.
Grow anti-tick plants: You heard that right: You can grow certain plants in your yard that will help keep ticks away. After checking which plants are not toxic, you can line your patio, windows, and the borders of your lawn with these warrior plants that include rosemary, lavender, and marigolds.
Guard your home with gravel: Create a 3-foot barrier of gravel or cedar chips between your yard and wooded areas. Cedarwood repels ticks and provides you and your pet with a nice scent while relaxing outside.
Protection for pets:
Bug Spray for Pets: It’s not a matter of if your pet will come across a tick when they’re outside, it’s a matter of when and how many. Luckily, Wondercide is here to help. Reach for Wondercide’s Flea & Tick spray for dogs, cats, and home to kill and repel these tiny critters. Powered by steam-distilled essential oils, this spray is lab-proven to work against ticks and fleas and is safe around pets and the whole family when used as directed.
Tick Collar: Additionally, Wondercide’s Flea & Tick Collar provides an added layer of protection against pesky ticks. The collar uses cedarwood and peppermint essential oils to repel ticks and protect your happy pup while out and about. For ages 4 months and older, this collar will do the trick against nasty vampire bugs like fleas and ticks.
Spot On: An alternative to the collar for tick protection is Wondercide’s Flea & Tick Spot On. The Spot On adds an extra layer of armor against ticks for up to a month. That’s about 30 walks-worth of protection! With a pleasant peppermint aroma, this tool is simple to use and lab-proven to fight ticks and fleas.
Shampoo: For bath time, Wondercide’s Flea & Tick Peppermint Shampoo is an effective tool for an active tick infestation. Use it up to once a week for pets older than 4 months to rid them of ticks and fleas.
Protection for the family:
Bug Spray: Unfortunately, ticks are a human problem as well. Luckily, Wondercide can help. With Wondercide’s Insect Repellent, you’ll have a plant-powered defense against unwanted critters. With zero artificial colors or fragrances, our Insect Repellent has your whole family’s back against pesky ticks. Choose between peppermint, cedarwood, lemongrass, or rosemary scents to armor yourself against nature’s sneakiest pests.
Mindful Tips: Additionally, when out for a walk, it’s a good idea to wear long sleeves and pants to prevent ticks from having access to your skin. Avoid areas with tall grass or shrubs where ticks might be lurking.
What do you do if you find a tick?
So, you found a tick. Remain calm, it’s okay. Whether you found one under your furry pal’s fur or on yourself during a routine tick check, there are steps you can take to remove it. Ignore the myths that gasoline, nail polish, vaseline, or matches will get the tick off. Prioritize safety! Also, ignore the impulse to crush the tick with your fingers. The first step is to remove the tick with a tweezer to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it out entirely, as per the CDC’s instructions.
After every part of the tick is out of your skin, clean the area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. In the event that you develop a rash in that area or believe the tick has been attached to you for over 24 hours, seek medical attention.
What do you do with the tick’s body? Great question. A good way to dispose of a tick is to drop it in alcohol so it can drown. Or you can trap it in a plastic bag or container until it dies, at which time you can flush it down the toilet. A third option is to wrap it tightly in tape.
Now that you’re prepared for the tick takeover, we hope you enjoy the wonders of nature this season has to offer uninterrupted by pests. Ticks don’t need to ruin your outdoor experiences. With a little help and your brave efforts, you can fight against these bothersome bugs. Here at Wondercide, we’re all about wellness and having peace of mind against blood-sucking insects certainly helps!
