Natural & Organic Controls What? Insecticidal soaps and pyrethrin-based sprays are best used in combination for effective tick control. How?
Insecticidal Soap (Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids) & Pyrethrin - combined are the organic equivalent of a 1-2 knock down punch. The soap will penetrate the tick's shell enough to weaken and dehydrate the insect and allow the pyrethrin to absorb in to the tick and do its job. Pyrethrin is a powerful nerve agent and will paralyze and kill the insect on contact. Keep in mind this soap is not like dish detergent, it's a base from a blend of natural plant sources and pyrethrin oils and comes from the chrysanthemum flower. An effective and organic combination....... Spray insect soap & pyrethrin 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. Why Choose a Natural Solution?
Natural solutions break down quickly into their natural elements. They are preferable to chemical pesticides that leave residuals where they are sprayed causing long-term detrimental affects on the environment. Natural Predators What? Parasitic wasps and certain birds, particularly the Guinea fowl, eat ticks. How? The parasitic wasp lays its eggs inside of 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.
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 emerge. 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 anytime 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.
Environmental Controls What? Keep lawns trimmed, remove weeds and vegetative debris, and clear away anything else that might draw a rodent carrying ticks on its fur.
To help protect your family, wear protective, light-colored clothing in tick infested areas, and use a tick repellent. Also, create safe play areas for your children that minimize the chances of encountering ticks. 
Protect pets from ticks, doing extra tick checks on them and vacuuming your carpets, flooring and upholstery more often if your pet has been outside. Use tick repellents formulated for your dog or cat, or use tick collars. Make sure you only use dog products on dogs and cat products on cats. How? Mow your lawn to keep the grass from getting long, enabling ticks to hide in it. Remove and discard weeds and vegetative debris from your yard and garden, uneaten bird seed that has fallen to the ground, as well as trash laying around your yard. Keep playground equipment or play areas away from bushes, shrubs, and anything else that may harbor ticks.
Make sure family members wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors. Clothing that is light in coloring will help you to spot ticks on it. Keep ticks from crawling inside the legs of your pants by tucking them into your socks. Carefully read and follow the directions on repellents before using them.
Protect pets by keeping them in your yard or keeping cats in your home. Free-roaming dogs and cats are susceptible not only to ticks but to rabies and other diseases (as well as death from accidents with cars.) Vacuum floors, carpets, and upholstery to remove any ticks that have entered your home on your pet. You can purchase tick repellents for pets or tick collars from your veterinarian or your local pet stores, or through mail-order and on-line catalogs. Make sure you only use dog products on dogs and only cat products on cats. When? Mow your lawn as often as needed to keep the grass from getting long, enabling ticks to hide in it. Remove weeds as soon as they appear and get rid of vegetative debris after harvesting your vegetable plants. Remove fallen leaves as often as possible, particularly when they are starting to collect in places. Remove uneaten bird seed that has fallen to the ground. Old tires, wood pile debris, and other trash in the yard should be removed and discarded as soon as possible.
When putting up playground equipment or creating play areas in your yard, keep them away from bushes, shrubs, and anything else that may harbor ticks.
Wear protective clothing and use repellents whenever you are venturing into areas known to have a tick presence.
Check your pets often if they have been outside. Vacuum your home more often in warmer weather. At the start of tick season, use tick repellents formulated for your dog or cat, or use tick collars. Again, make sure you only use dog products on dogs and cat products on cats. Safer®Brand brings you a variety of effective insect control products that are gentler on the environment! Most of them proudly display the OMRI Listed® organic seal and comply for use in organic gardening! | 
