How to get rid of ticks at home: 25 best remedies and methods of control

Why are they dangerous?

The main danger of ticks is that they harm human health. Ticks are ectoparasites and causative agents of natural focal diseases. Pests are capable of transmitting various pathogens through the process of sucking blood.

Diseases

The most common diseases carried by ticks are borreliosis, ehrlichiosis and encephalitis. Infections are severe and can cause disability. As a rule, the diseases are chronic in nature and have a long rehabilitation period of up to a year. In addition to the diseases listed above, ticks carry:

spotted fever;
tularemia;
babesiosis;
tick-borne typhus

The variety of linen mites is not a blood-sucking pest, but these insects are also dangerous to humans. Microscopic excrement of insects along with dust penetrates the lungs and provokes the development of allergic reactions. In combination with a cold, allergies can cause bronchial asthma.

Allergy symptoms

The manifestation of disease symptoms depends on the pathogen that enters the human body after an insect bite. Since pests carry a large number of diseases, each of them is characterized by individual symptoms. In particular:

Borreliosis is characterized by the appearance of migraines, general fatigue of the body, fever, attacks of nausea and vomiting. The most pronounced sign of the disease is a rash on the skin in the form of a ring-shaped redness.
Tick-borne encephalitis causes a sharp increase in temperature to 39 degrees. Other symptoms include muscle soreness, vomiting and migraines.
Ehrlichiosis is characterized by a sudden increase in body temperature and chills, joint pain, and a feeling of malaise. In severe cases, a skin rash appears.
Symptoms of tick-borne relapsing fever develop gradually over a couple of weeks. Primary signs are insomnia, lack of appetite and feeling weak. Subsequently, the temperature rises, pain in muscles and joints occurs, and a severe rash forms on the skin.

How to protect children from ticks

For children, all the protection measures described above are relevant, except those that involve the use of any substances, that is, acaricides, repellents and vaccines against encephalitis.

Most acaricides (products that kill ticks) are not recommended for use on children's clothing and items.
Repellents (tick repellents) must be selected with the “baby”, “kids” or other indications on the label that they are suitable for children over a certain age.
Children can be vaccinated against encephalitis, but this should be done only according to a doctor’s indications and with those vaccines that can be used at the age the child is at the time of vaccination.

Regular care of the dacha plot, its professional acaricidal treatment and conveying to the child important information about safety rules in a playful way will also help ensure the safety of children.

Appearance and causes of appearance

The size of pests can reach 3 mm, but most often the size of insects is 0.1-0.5 mm. Insects are classified as arachnids, and as characteristic representatives of this species, they lack wings. Adult insects have 4 pairs of legs. Orientation in space in ticks occurs due to the sensory apparatus, since they do not have eyes. Pests are able to smell a person at a distance of up to 10 m. Based on their structure, mites are divided into leathery insects with fused head and body, and armored parasites with a movable head.

There are several common causes of pests in summer cottages or in residential premises. Once you discover a parasite infestation, it is important to find out the specific cause to prevent further reproduction.

Neighbours

In suburban areas, ticks can enter the area from neighbors or from the forest. If a neighbor's property has been attacked by a pest and no extermination measures have been taken, then there is a high probability of the insect spreading to adjacent areas.

New things and equipment

The smell of new things often attracts pests. This reason is especially relevant for new technical devices, which usually have a pronounced odor.

Animals

Many animals carry ticks and other insects. Pests live and lay eggs in the fur of dogs, cats and rodents. The population size of pests spread by this method is usually insignificant. You can notice the presence of parasites on pets by frequent scratching and gnawing of fur.

Ticks in the country - preventive measures

To prevent ticks from returning to your summer cottage again and again, you need to take some preventive measures.

Branches and last year's leaves must be removed in a timely manner, weeds must be pulled out, and the grass must be trimmed.
It’s good to create a barrier at least a meter wide around the perimeter, add sawdust or gravel, so it will be more difficult for ticks from the neighboring area to penetrate into the garden.
Ticks are attracted to moisture; if possible, drainage work should be carried out.
There are plants that contain a natural insecticide and planting them will help in the fight against ticks. For example, these are Persian, Caucasian and Dalmatian daisies.

Habitats

Most tick species live in grass and tall bushes. Parasites choose to settle in areas deep in the forest, overgrown with grass at least 7 cm high. The higher the grass in the area, the more likely the pest is to attack humans and animals. Insects almost never stay on well-trodden paths or paved areas.

The type of forest for ticks is unimportant - they can be found in birch, fir and mixed forests. The only exception is the coniferous forest, where insects are rare. The parasite can be picked up in meadows, cattle pastures, in city parks, and on roadsides.

Basic

Dust mites live in the home. The main places where parasites accumulate include the following:

a garbage collection bag in a vacuum cleaner, where pests settle and actively reproduce;
bed linen, mattresses, blankets and pillows;
upholstered furniture;
rugs and carpets with high pile.

A variety of dust mites are an integral part of house dust. Parasites exist next to dead particles of human and animal skin, cellulose, various fibers, excrement of other insects, and fungal spores.

Chemicals to the rescue

The most reliable and radical remedy against ticks is modern aggressive chemical compounds. These include the following:

Envidor;
Sunmite;
Bi-58;
Thiovit Jet;
Ram;
Digital;
Dobrokhim.

The listed drugs almost instantly kill not only adults, but also their larvae. But when working with chemicals, it is important to follow these rules:

Processing is carried out only in protective clothing (long-sleeved shirt, trousers, headscarf, protective mask and gloves);
Do not use food containers for diluting the composition;
It is forbidden to pollinate the area on a windy day;
Spraying is carried out in the morning after the dew has disappeared or in the evening;
During the flowering period of plants, ticks cannot be baited with chemicals;

For two to four days after spraying, you need to protect pets and children from walking around the area. It is not advisable to release bees either;
When processing, it is important to ensure that chemicals do not get into the well, well, or other source of water on the site;
It is recommended to wait 20-45 days after irrigation before harvesting;
You cannot spray the land more than twice a season, otherwise the plants will burn;
Irrigation with chemicals is best done in May-April and October-November.
It is strictly prohibited to increase the dosage of the drug per unit area.

To make the event more effective, you must first remove all construction and plant debris from the site. Otherwise, the tick will escape there during the treatment period. The result of spraying will be zero.

Important: for the purpose of prevention, the use of chemical agents against ticks is strictly prohibited.

How to detect

The microscopic size of ticks does not always allow them to be visually detected. If the pest has left a bite on the skin, then, depending on a number of factors, various signs will appear. A pronounced manifestation of an insect bite is observed in people suffering from allergic diseases, as well as in the elderly and children. In other situations, the bite may become painless and not noticed immediately.

The area affected by the pest is characterized by redness and slight swelling of the skin. In the center of the irritated area is a small dark dot left by the insect. If the parasite did not have time to fall off, then part of its small body can be seen over the redness.

Dust mites are absolutely impossible to see. You can suspect their appearance by painful symptoms and skin rashes.

What to do if a tick latches onto your skin?

Once on the human body, the tick does not immediately penetrate the skin. He looks for his “favorite” places - the scalp, ears, armpits and groin area, the inner surface of the elbows and knees. In these places, the skin is the most delicate and thin, abundantly supplied with superficial blood vessels. The insect bite is painless. The salivary secretion of the parasite contains a potent analgesic substance, with which it lubricates the bite site. Having penetrated the skin, the tick attaches itself to the nearest vessel and feeds on blood.

It is not immediately possible to see a tick on the skin. If you suspect a bite, you should carefully examine your body, preferably in front of a mirror. You can notice the tick in the form of a small bump on the skin with a black dot in the middle.

It is better to entrust the removal of the parasite from the skin to a specialist. The doctor will not only correctly remove the insect from the skin. He will also send the pest for laboratory examination - it is necessary to immediately exclude the possibility that the person was bitten by an infected insect. The doctor may give an injection of anti-mite immunoglobulin.

In situations where it is not possible to quickly get to a medical facility, immediate measures are taken. The longer an infected tick remains in the skin, the more likely the affected person will develop the disease. Therefore, you need to get rid of the parasite as quickly as possible.

Methods of control and prevention

If there is an infestation of ticks, you must immediately take measures to combat the parasites. To reduce the likelihood of pests reappearing, preventive measures must be taken.

Low temperature and humidity

Ticks live comfortably at high temperatures and excess air humidity. To combat the invasion of parasites, it is necessary to create a low temperature and reduce the humidity level. In the cold season, to eliminate insects, you can ventilate, and leave mattresses and bed linen on the balcony or outside and thoroughly beat them before returning them to their place. Also, dust mites die from washing bed linen at a temperature of 60 degrees.

Wet cleaning of the apartment

Regular wet cleaning and dusting eliminate the majority of insects and reduce the risk of their reproduction and spread. It is recommended to wipe the floor and baseboards with a salt solution, which has a more powerful effect against insects. A solution for wet cleaning against insects is prepared using the proportions of 5-7 tablespoons of salt per bucket of warm water.

Washing bed linen and upholstered furniture at high temperatures

Washing bed linen in a machine at high temperature destroys accumulated parasites. After washing, bedding should, if possible, be thoroughly dried in the open air or on a balcony with open windows. To combat insects, the upholstery of upholstered furniture can be periodically wiped with a cloth soaked in warm water or a specialized detergent.

Freezing

Exposure to extremely low temperatures is detrimental to insects, so parasites can be removed from small items, fabrics and clothing by freezing. It is enough to leave things in the freezer for several hours to destroy all ticks and other insects.

Special bedding

It is recommended to replace feather and down bedding with synthetic ones, since they are less likely to harbor parasites. The same should be done with upholstered furniture, including chairs and sofas made of down and feathers, which serve as a habitat for parasites.

Ciliate soil

Ciliate soil is often used in garden plots against pests. In dry form, decorative paths are treated with soil to prevent insects, and solutions with soil are used to spray vegetation that has been attacked by parasites. Infusor soil is also used to remove ticks and other pests from animal fur.

Eating edible soil removes parasites from the animal’s body and prevents their reproduction.

Minimum indoor plants

Dust mites love to settle on house plants and leave larvae on them. Parasites live in the soil and on the surface of the green parts of plants. Since processing plants takes a lot of time and does not guarantee complete destruction of insects, it is recommended to keep no more than a couple of pots in the room. This will reduce the number of pests.

Essential oils

There are several essential oils whose scent is repellent to ticks and other parasites. Common pest control options include geranium and palmarosa oils. To prepare a remedy against ticks, you need:

Mix 2 tablespoons of vegetable carrier oil and 10-25 drops of essential oil.
To protect against parasites, apply a few drops of the resulting solution to clothing and skin, avoiding areas around the eyes.

A mixture of essential and base oils to combat parasites can be stored for six months. After this period, the substance gradually loses its protective characteristics and has a worse effect on pests.

Vacuum cleaner

According to the principle of operation, a vacuum vacuum cleaner differs from the standard version. The equipment helps remove dust mites and insects from any soft surfaces, including furniture upholstery, carpets, curtains, bedding and toys. Immediately after surface treatment, it is quite difficult to notice the result and the absence of pests, so to assess the effectiveness it is worth looking into the filter where dust accumulates.

It is recommended to clean with a vacuum cleaner on a regular basis, combined with wet dusting, which will help to better get rid of parasites.

External protection methods

Products of this type work in different ways; they differ in their level of effectiveness. To choose a drug with suitable properties, you need to compare the most common existing ones.

Drops on the withers against ticks for dogs

This is the most effective remedy for parasites. Mainly used in the fight against ectoparasites. Principle of action: the active substance is absorbed into the skin structure, accumulates in the sebaceous glands, and is gradually released along with the secretion of the glands. The drops are characterized by a prolonged action and can protect the animal for periods of varying duration: from several weeks to several months.

It is better to apply it in the area of the withers, at the base of the head, on the neck, since the dog licks the fur in areas where unpleasant sensations appear. This will lead to the animal receiving a portion of toxic substances. The drops must be absorbed, so water procedures must be postponed for several days. Most often, such remedies last 3-4 weeks.

Anti-tick drops are dripped onto the dog's withers

Some drugs are used more widely due to their high effectiveness. You can learn about the specific effects on the animal’s body from the table.

Tick collars

If it is impossible to treat your dog against ticks at home (for example, when there are several pets in the same room and there is a possibility that they will lick the product from each other’s fur), collars are used. They also last a long time, like drops, but do not destroy parasites. The collar helps release a small dose of the toxic substance, and therefore only repels parasites. The main disadvantage is limited action.

The effectiveness of tick collars for dogs

Table: Proven brands of collars, active ingredient, price and where to buy

Such products differ in the type of active component and the intensity of the effect on parasites. You can select the appropriate option by studying the information in the table.

Anti-tick sprays

You can protect your pet from parasites only for the next few weeks. The drug is sprayed over the outer skin and fur of the animal. Its properties depend on its composition: some help get rid of ticks, others only repel ticks. The disadvantage of the product is the high risk of poisoning the animal: when sprayed, part of the substance can enter the dog’s body, the pet receives a dose of poison by licking the fur.

Applying anti-tick spray to a dog's fur

The offers of some stores are presented in the table.

Shampoos

Toxic substances are absorbed into the structure of the outer integument (sebaceous glands, hair follicles). However, the dosage of acaricidal agents is small, so the shampoo cannot remove ticks from the dog’s body, but only creates unacceptable conditions for parasites to live.

The effectiveness of dog shampoo against ticks

Table: Types of manufacturers, price

When choosing, you must take into account the price category of the drug. In addition, preference is often given to products that have earned the trust of many consumers. Some of them are presented in the table.

Overalls, vests, bandanas. What is the protective power? Price

If for various reasons it is not possible to treat your pet, such products are used. The material is impregnated with toxic substances, but in small quantities, so as not to harm the animal. Such items are made from fabrics that allow air to pass through (with a high cotton content). They are equipped with tick traps.

The bandana is used in areas where the risk of parasite bites is low. The average price of such things: 430-730 rubles. The choice should be made taking into account the size of the product.

Dog wearing a tick vest

Additional precautions with pets

To prevent pets from becoming carriers of ticks and other insects, it is important to adhere to a number of rules and precautions. Including:

Regularly vaccinate your pets against ticks and parasites;
care for the coat and wash it thoroughly, removing ticks;
If you notice signs of the appearance of pests and the development of the disease (lethargy, fever, coloration of mucous membranes), contact a veterinarian.

Ventilation

Periodic ventilation helps control optimal humidity and temperature levels. During the cold season, ventilation of the room directly contributes to the destruction of pests, including ticks. To increase the effectiveness of the fight against parasites, it is recommended to ventilate the room as a whole and potentially dangerous objects separately - in the open air or on the balcony.

Rugs and slippers

Dirt brought into the apartment from the street is one of the reasons for the development of dust mites and other parasites. A large number of pests live on staircase landings. By using a grate mat at the outer door, it is possible to reduce the number of insects entering the apartment. Changing your shoes when entering the house into slippers also helps reduce the amount of dust and stop the development of mites. Rugs and slippers should be washed periodically for maximum effect and pest control.

Air filter and cleaner

Installing air purifiers with a built-in HEPA filter in an apartment can eliminate up to 90% of dangerous allergens and insects. In order for the purifiers to function properly and resist parasites, the filters should be constantly cleaned. When turning on the air purifier, you must close the windows in the room, otherwise its operation will be ineffective and some of the pests will remain in their original places.

Minimalism

Household clutter contributes to the active collection of dust, the emergence and reproduction of mites and other parasites. By sticking to minimalism and cleaning regularly, you can reduce the risk of insects.

It is recommended to remove all items that strongly attract dust and pests, including unnecessary decorations, books, stacks of papers, picture frames.

If possible, you should reduce the number of decorative pillows on upholstered furniture, and hang blinds instead of fabric curtains. It will also be helpful to remove thick pile carpeting where mites live. It is better to give preference to a tiled or wooden covering. This will not only eliminate dust mites, but will also simplify subsequent cleaning.

Steam generator

A steam generator is a device that heats water to a high temperature and converts it into steam. The equipment is used for processing furniture upholstery, carpets, and bedding. Steam generators differ in power rating, method and pressure of steam release, and other functional features. For home use, it is recommended to purchase a device with a power of at least 800 W. You can spray soft products with steam not only when signs of pest spread are detected, but also for preventive purposes.

Ozone generator

Ozone is a component of air and has oxidizing and disinfecting properties. Like other gases, ozone penetrates into the thickness of materials and interacts with mold, fungi and harmful microorganisms, including mites. The influence of ozone destroys pests and prevents their further spread.

The device is capable of producing up to 3500 mg of ozone per hour. Regularly turning on the air purification device allows you to destroy all bacteria, sterilize the air and remove unpleasant odors from the room. The ozone generator is easy to use and operates on electricity. To start the device, just plug it into a power outlet and leave it working indoors for the required period of time.

The most effective folk remedies against ticks

You can also use folk recipes. They are safer for humans, animals and vegetation. The main thing is to make sure that the composition does not contain components that can cause allergies.

Pests cannot tolerate the strong odors of essential oils, citrus fruits and some herbs, so you need to take advantage of this:

Citrus juice. Lemons, tangerines, grapefruits and oranges are suitable for its preparation. Cut the fruit in the middle and squeeze out all the liquid from it. Add three liters of water to it and spray the area with the mixture.
Herbal infusion. Take chamomile, sage, geranium and garlic flowers. Place them in a large saucepan of boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour the solution into a jar and let it brew for two days. Strain the resulting liquid and treat the area with it using a spray bottle.
Essential oils. Dilute 5 ml of rosemary and peppermint essential oils per liter of water. Spray the area with the resulting mixture every two months.
Garlic tincture. Peel a large head of garlic and grate it. Fill the pulp with two liters of water. Place in a dark place (pantry, cellar or basement) for a day. After the specified time, strain and pour in two more liters of water. Spray the garden several times until the mites are completely gone. Garlic can be replaced with an onion - the result will be similar.

Advice from a reader I fight ticks in my dacha using a mechanical method. My husband and I stretch a white cloth (a sheet works great) and slowly walk across the grass for about 5-10 minutes. After this, we burn the detected pests. Alina

Some gardeners use various plants as a repeller. You just need to plant them on your site:

Common tansy. Repels various pests due to its pungent odor, reminiscent of camphor. In addition, it helps in the fight against fungi. Loves clay soil rich in nutrients. Grows best in sunny locations.
Catnip (Catnip). A small plant (up to 40 cm) with a pungent aroma. It is its smell and essential oils in the inflorescences that parasites do not like. Does not require maintenance.
Lavender angustifolia. Repels ticks with the strong scent of flowers. They also contain essential oils that arachnids and mosquitoes do not like. For planting, choose alkaline soil and sunny places. Tolerates drought but requires annual pruning in spring.
Rosemary is officinalis. Ticks cannot stand its smell. The plant has medicinal properties. Prefers sunny places and well-drained soil. It is better to grow in flowerpots, since rosemary does not tolerate temperature changes and will not be able to overwinter in open ground.
Dalmatian chamomile. Contains components toxic to arthropods. Thus, it affects the muscles and nervous system of pests. Grows best in fertile soil and sunny locations.

Chemicals for home control

Effective extermination of pests in residential areas is possible with the help of highly active chemicals. A powerful effect on ticks repels or kills them, preventing re-invasion.

Bedlam Plus

Bedlam Plus is produced in aerosol form and is intended to combat ticks and their eggs, fleas, beetles, bedbugs and other harmful insects in residential areas. The substance can be used to treat bedding, carpets, upholstery and toys. The required surface is sprayed with an aerosol and then left for a couple of hours. After using Bedlam Plus, you should wash the treated product.

Acaril

Acaril is a component added during washing of textile materials. The product contains a mixture of alcohols, surfactants and tea tree oil in a suspension of methyl salicylate. The purpose of Acaril is to eliminate dust mites and combat allergens. The substance is safe for colored fabrics and produces results when washed in water of any temperature.

All-Rug

Highly concentrated All-Rug shampoo is suitable for treating carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses and bedding. The product can be added to a washing vacuum cleaner. The main advantages of All-Rug include the following:

slight foaming;
anti-mite purpose;
the ability to clean pile, eliminate insect allergens and prevent the proliferation of pests.

X-mite

X-mite powder is used to kill allergens caused by dust mites, pets and various pests. The optimal frequency of processing bedding, carpets and upholstery is once every 3-4 months.

Allergoff

Allergoff is available in a form designed to spray a surface up to 20 square meters in size. The aerosol ensures the destruction of dust mites at all stages of their spread. After treatment, the effect lasts for six months. Spraying with Allergoff spray must be combined with treatment with an anti-allergenic drug.

"Dobrohim Micro"

The Dobrokhim Micro insecticidal agent is intended to combat household pests, including dust mites. The drug has become widespread due to the following advantages:

contact and intestinal effects on parasites;
long-lasting effect for 6 months, eliminating the need for frequent treatment;
activity under unfavorable conditions (high humidity and temperature, direct exposure to ultraviolet rays);
minimal danger to pets;
no unpleasant odor or streaks after treatment.

"Raid"

"Raid" belongs to the category of insecticidal preparations and destroys dust mites within a week after use. The composition stops the ability of pests to reproduce and affects insects even in remote places. After using the insecticide, no traces or pungent odor remain.

"Acaritox"

"Acaritox" has a combined insecticidal and acaricidal effect against ticks. The drug destroys pests and prevents their recurrence for several months.

"Cypermethrin"

Household insecticide "Cypermethrin" is suitable for use in residential premises and outdoors. The drug is especially effective in the fight against blood-sucking parasites.

Tea tree oil

A mixture of 50 ml of water and 10 drops of oil is used to treat clothing against insects before going into the forest. You can also use tea tree oil at home by treating household items with the solution.

Rules for processing a summer cottage

First of all, the treatment of the area should be carried out in special clothing - gloves, a respirator, a thick robe, a hat and glasses with a rubber seal.

Tick control is only possible in dry, windless weather. Gusts of wind can carry the product far from the site, and rain will wash it into the ground. It is advisable that it be warm, since with cold weather ticks hide in dense thickets of grass and bushes. This reduces the effect of the insecticide significantly.

It is better to spray the solution with a hand sprayer for rational and uniform consumption. However, on a large area it is important to use a unit with a motor.

More attention should be paid to the recreation area and vegetation located along the paths. But you need to be careful with fruit bushes, trees and garden crops. Treatment is carried out one and a half months before the harvest ripens.

Don't forget about pets, some drugs are safe and after half an hour the cat or dog can be let out for a walk. Other remedies are dangerous even after several days. Information about this can be found on the chemical's label.

When the tick treatment is completed, you need to wash your face and hands with soap. It is optimal to carry out such procedures in spring and autumn.