Ticks

Ticks

Ticks are potentially deadly arachnids that spread diseases and feast on the blood of their victims. Eliminating ticks can be an issue that requires the use of harmful chemicals....until now. Safer® Brand Mosquito and Tick Killer combines the power of pyrethrin with our famous insecticidal soap to provide a powerful one-two punch, eliminating your tick problem.

Lawn treatments for ticks may be necessary year round in warmer climates but in more seasonal climates, tick treatments are probably only necessary in the spring & summer.

So... What's a Tick?

Ticks are members of the arachnid group, having eight legs in the adult stage and lacking antennae at all stages. There are two groups of ticks: hard ticks and soft ticks. The main focus for this website will be on hard ticks, which are encountered much more frequently than soft ticks; in fact, some people will never encounter a soft tick. Both groups of ticks are capable of transmitting certain diseases to animals, while the hard tick is responsible for transmitting diseases to animals and people.

Perhaps the three most recognized hard ticks are the American Dog Tick, the Brown Dog Tick and the Blacklegged Tick, commonly known as the Deer Tick. Although each tick has certain species-specific characteristics, there are some characteristics all hard ticks have in common. Besides eight legs and no antennae, these ticks have a hard shell with the mouth area attached directly to the shell.

  • American Dog Ticks tend to be reddish brown in color and appear very flat when they have not eaten lately. After the female hard tick has fed, she resembles a small bubble or grape, although males do not seem to change their shape after feeding.
  • Brown Dog Ticks are often called Kennel Ticks because they are mainly found in kennels as well as homes where there are dogs. These ticks attach themselves to dogs and feed, but they are not generally known to attack people See photo right for identification of a brown dog tick. Brown dog ticks can live indoors inside cracks in floors, among upholstery, and near heaters. The female is capable of producing over 3,000 eggs – in the comfort of your home!
  • Deer Ticks, as the Blacklegged Ticks are now more commonly known, are also reddish brown in color, but are much smaller than the American Dog Tick, so they are not as easily spotted on animals or people. In the nymph stage, they are only about the size of the head of a pin, making it even harder to see them when they attach themselves to people or pets. These ticks are the precursors of the dreaded Lyme disease, which can cause severe complications if untreated.

Reproduction Patterns of Ticks

All ticks, whether hard or soft, go through four stages of development. Females will lay their eggs after feeding. When the eggs hatch, the emerging miniscule six-legged larvae feed on a nearby host. After going through one or more molts, a larva becomes a nymph with eight legs. These nymphs in turn will molt and become adults who are ready to feed and reproduce.

Tick's Habitat

Ticks are found throughout the United States, mainly in outdoor areas with woods, shrubs, weeds, and tall grasses. They are particularly found in humid environments. The only ticks generally found to live indoors is the Brown Dog Tick. Other ticks may enter the home via a pet or person who has been outside in tick-friendly areas.

Spraying lawn to treat ticks is the best course of action to prevent a tick outbreak. Using a product such as Safer® Brand Mosquito and Tick Killer will keep your lawn free from ticks.

Controls

What?

Safer Brand Mosquito and Tick Killer

Insecticidal soap and pyrethrin-based sprays such as Safer® Brand Mosquito and Tick Killer are best used in combination for tick control.

How?

Insecticidal Soap (Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids) & Pyrethrin - These solutions are combined to create the equivalent of a one-two knockdown punch. The soap will penetrate the tick's shell enough to weaken and dehydrate the arachnid and allow the pyrethrin to absorb in to the tick and do its job.

Pyrethrin is a nerve agent and will paralyze and kill the arachnid on contact. Keep in mind this soap is not like dish detergent, it's a base from a blend of plant sources and pyrethrin oils and comes from the chrysanthemum flower.

Spray Safer® Brand Mosquito and Tick Killer as a contact killer for your entire lawn area. Use in accordance with directions on the product label.

When?

Ticks can be present at any time of year. Their activity decreases in colder weather and increases in warmer weather. Also, many species of ticks will go into a state of diapause when food sources are scarce. Diapause is similar to hibernation except the animal does not grow during this time or molt to the next stage of life.

Lawn treatments for ticks may be necessary year round in warmer climates but in more seasonal climates, tick treatments are probably only necessary in the spring & summer. 

Natural Predators

What?

Parasitic wasps and certain birds, particularly the Guinea fowl, eat ticks.

How?

The parasitic wasp lays its eggs inside a tick and when the eggs hatch, the emerging wasps kill the tick and feed on it. Attract these wasps by planting nectar or pollen producing flowers. They can also be bought commercially.

A deer tick

Several birds feed on ticks, and the Guinea fowl is perhaps one of nature's most efficient predators when it comes to devouring huge amounts of ticks. Guinea fowl can be raised, although it may take some work on your part.

When?

Plant attracting flora early in the season so parasitic wasps may be present when tick larvae emerges. Most local greenhouses and garden centers can help you determine the right planting time for nectar and pollen producing plants to ensure that the pollen and nectar will be available when the wasps arrive.

Most wild birds can be attracted with bird feeders, although you do want them to eat the ticks more than the bird seed! Guinea fowl can be outdoors at any time of the year, just be sure they are protected from predators. Wild birds and Guinea fowl will eat ticks largely during the summer months or warm weather when the ticks are most active.

OMRI Certified for Organic Gardening Safer® Brand leads the alternative lawn and garden products industry, offering many solutions that are compliant with organic gardening standards. Safer® Brand recognizes this growing demand by consumers and offers a wide variety of products for lawns, gardens, landscapes, flowers, houseplants, insects and more!

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