Ticks can carry dangerous diseases like Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever and can enter your home on you, your clothes, pets, or children, exposing others to possible illnesses.
In this guide, we explore the best tick repellents on the market to help prevent tick bites. If you prefer a preventative approach to tick control, we also provide tips on how to maintain your yard to deter these pests in the first place. Ticks can become a nuisance in your yard if not taken care of properly.
Top 5 Tick Killers
- Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns Granules: Best for Large Areas
- BioAdvanced 700288S Complete Insect Killer: Most Versatile
- Spectrum HG-61067 Bug-Free Spray: Best for Small Yards
- Vet's Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray: Best Ease of Use
- Wondercide Ready-To-Use Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Yard Spray: Best for Pet Owners
Compare Top Tick Killers
| Product | Form | Coverage | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns GranulesCheck Price | Granules | Up to 10,000 square feet | 10 pounds |
BioAdvanced 700288S Complete Insect KillerCheck Price | Granules | Up to 10,000 square feet | 10 pounds |
Spectrum HG-61067 Bug-Free SprayCheck Price | Liquid | Up to 5,000 square feet | 1.08 pounds |
Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel SprayCheck Price | Liquid | Up to 5,000 square feet | 2 pounds |
Wondercide Ready-To-Use Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Yard SprayCheck Price | Liquid | Up to 5,000 square feet | 2 pounds |
Best for Large Areas
Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns Granules
We like that these insecticide-covered pellets protect against ticks, as well as other pests like spiders, fleas, ants, and mole crickets for up to three months. Because of how large the bag is, you can protect up to 10,000 square feet.
Pros and Cons of Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns Granules
- Can cover up to 10,000 square feet
- Creates a bug barrier within minutes
- Kills pests for up to three months
- Highly toxic to aquatic organisms so should not be used near water
- Not the best for dealing with mosquitoes
What People Are Saying About The Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns Granules
Our research showed that customers who were happy with this product liked that it was easy to apply, worked on a variety of insects, and was fast-acting. However, other customers we found said that this product didn’t last as long as they were expecting, and others said it was ineffective in the rain.
Most Versatile
BioAdvanced 700288S Complete Insect Killer
We were impressed that this 10-pound bag of pellets provides three months of protection for up to 10,000 square feet. It kills over 30 insects, including ticks, and starts taking effect within 24 hours of the first application. You can use this tick killer on soil, flowers, trees, shrubs, and any other penetrable surfaces in your yard.
Pros and Cons of BioAdvanced 700288S Complete Insect Killer
- Has a large coverage area
- Kills up to 30 outdoor pests as well as worms
- Works for up to three months
- Has restricted use in several northeast states, including New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine
- Is not safe for use around children
What People Are Saying About The BioAdvanced 700288S Complete Insect Killer
Those we found who gave this product a positive review liked that it spread easily, worked on multiple surfaces, and killed various insect types. However, we also noted some users who felt it didn’t work well on mosquitoes, and others said the bugs returned after only a few weeks.
Best for Small Yards
Spectrum HG-61067 Bug-Free Spray
We found that this bug spray is best for small yards because of its size. Simply attach it to your garden hose, point the nozzle, and spray the solution over your yard. It applies in just a few minutes and gives you protection from a long list of insects for up to 12 weeks.
Pros and Cons of Spectrum HG-61067 Bug-Free Spray
- Uses a quick-flip sprayer for easy application
- Destablizes nerves in insects, making it effective on nearly any type
- Does not require any additional mixing for use
- Has a smaller coverage area than some other similar products
- Can take up to a month to degrade into other compounds
What People Are Saying About The Spectrum HG-61067 Bug-Free Spray
We noted that several customers who gave this product a positive review liked that it was particularly effective on ticks and mosquitoes. Others liked its straightforward application and its lack of a scent. However, we did find some customers who said this product didn’t work well in the rain, and others said it didn’t last as long as advertised.
Best Ease of Use
Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray
We like that this spray comes in a 32-ounce bottle that’s ready to use immediately. It has a handle on the top and a built-in nozzle that you point and spray over your yard. It also uses clove and peppermint essential oils instead of harmful chemicals, making it a natural solution to your tick problem. Once you run out of the spray, you can purchase a refill bottle and pour the solution back into the ready-to-use container.
Pros and Cons of Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray
- Is safe to use around children
- Has a plant-based formula
- Comes with a convenient hose attachment
- Peppermint scent might not be everyone’s favorite
- Doesn’t kill as many species as other sprays
What People Are Saying About The Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray
Our research showed that customers who gave this product a positive review said that it was long-lasting, safe for children and dogs, and easy to use. However, we saw some other customers who felt it was not effective for larger yards, and some felt that it was poorly packaged.
Best for Pet Owners
Wondercide Ready-To-Use Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Yard Spray
This spray comes in a 32-ounce bottle and contains natural insect repellent. One feature our team particularly liked was that It doesn’t harm you, your pets, or any other wildlife like bees and butterflies, and it covers up to 5,000 square feet.
Pros and Cons of Wondercide Ready-To-Use Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Yard Spray
- Has a natural formula that uses essential oils
- Is safe to use around children, cats, and dogs
- Kills fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, roaches, Japanese beetles, and more
- May require multiple uses to begin fully working
- Has a relatively small coverage area
What People Are Saying About The Wondercide Ready-To-Use Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Yard Spray
We found that customers who liked this product said that it did not have a harsh smell, was safe to use for pets, and worked especially well on mosquitoes and ticks. On the other hand, we also saw some customers who felt that the spray applicator was difficult to use, and others felt that it was hard to tell if it was effective or not, as it didn’t kill the bugs immediately.
Types of Tick Killers
Tick killers come in a variety of forms, with sprays and pellets being the most common. Read our guide below to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of each tick killer.
Sprays
Tick spray is the most common and effective tick killer for your yard and can be broken into three subcategories: Concentrated, premixed, and natural.
Concentrated
Concentrated sprays come in a large container and are full of highly concentrated insecticide. You mix the insecticide with a certain amount of water, depending on what the instructions say, and you spray your yard to get rid of any ticks. This type of tick killer is the most economical choice if you’ll be spraying your entire yard, as a little concentrate covers a large area.
Premixed
Premixed solutions already have the proper ratio of insecticide to water. They come ready to spray and, because of their smaller size, are better for smaller yards or spot treatments.
Natural
If you want to be environmentally conscious, opt for a natural tick-repellent spray that has a mix of essential oils like peppermint or cedarwood—two oils that are known for repelling ticks.
Pellet/Granular
Pellets are made of coarse materials like walnut shells or clay and are coated with an insecticide. The pellets will either be ready to use out of the bag, or you’ll have to mix them with water to activate the ingredients. To use the pellets, lay them over your yard like you would with fertilizer.
While pellets are easy to use and don’t pose as much of a hazard as sprays, they don’t cover the leaves on plants and trees as sprays do, and they can be mistaken for food by pets and wildlife.
Skin/Clothing Treatment
While this review is focused on yard treatments, there are ways to keep ticks off of your body. Most skin treatments come in the form of a spray with DEET as an active ingredient. However, you can find body sprays that use natural ingredients and sprays that are designed for clothing.
Buying Guide
Before choosing the best tick prevention method for your needs, read our buyer’s guide below to learn the most important factors you’ll need to consider to find the best product for you.
Safety
If you’re using a non-natural spray, wear protective equipment like glasses, gloves, and respirators, as well as long clothing, so that the chemicals don’t touch your skin or enter your body. If you’re using pellets, consider wearing gloves, as the insecticide on the product could rub off on your hands. Once you’re done applying the tick killer, take a shower and throw your clothes in the wash to prevent any residual chemicals from coming into contact with you or others.
Proper Use
Every tick killer should come with instructions that explain how to use the product. Make sure you thoroughly read these instructions before using the product so that you understand how much concentrate you need to mix with water or how much surface area it can cover.
Other Pests
Most tick killers are designed to kill more than just ticks, allowing you to target multiple insects in your yard at once. Before making a final purchase, read the product’s list of covered insects and make sure it can target ticks and any other unwanted pests.
How To Prevent Ticks
Instead of covering your yard with tick repellents, you can take a proactive approach that eliminates the habitats they thrive in. Here are a few tips on how to prevent ticks in your yard:
- Keep the grass short: Ticks like long and tall grass because the blades cast shadows, creating a cool environment for them to thrive in. We recommend letting your grass grow to four inches tall and then cutting it down to three inches. Cutting it any shorter than that will confuse the grass, causing it to overcompensate by growing taller faster.
- Make a mulch barrier: If your property is adjacent to a wooded area, put a three-foot barrier of mulch between your yard and the woods. Ticks like wooded areas, but mulch is often hot and dry, which are two things ticks like to avoid.
- Bag grass and leaves: After mowing your lawn or raking leaves, put the clippings and other debris in a bag instead of leaving them in your yard. While these clippings and leaves act as natural fertilizers for your lawn, they’re also a natural habitat for ticks. If you don’t want to waste these nutrients, you can always create a compost pile away from your house.
- Target tick carriers: Mice and deer are the most common tick carriers, so consider taking steps to deter them from your yard. Choose plants that deer won’t eat or fence off your yard so that they can’t get in and bring in deer ticks. For mice, keep your yard clear of trash and lay out tube-like traps that are stuffed with fluff soaked in insecticide. When the mice pull out the fluff to make their nests, they’ll kill the ticks they’re carrying.
- Welcome tick-eating animals: Wild birds like robins and bluejays are natural tick predators, and they can be attracted to your yard with bird feeders.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tick Killers
What are Permethrin and Talstar?
Permethrin and Talstar are the two most common chemicals used in tick and bug sprays. Permethrin tends to be cheaper than Talstar and kills pests quicker after the initial application. Talstar lasts longer, killing ticks and other pests over a longer period.
How do I keep ticks off of my dog?
Most dogs are treated with flea and tick killers a few times a year. You can buy treatments in the form of liquids, chewable pills, or collars. However, if you want extra protection against ticks, you can follow these tips:
- Keep long-haired dogs groomed so that ticks can’t hide in their fur.
- Mix seven drops of lemon eucalyptus oil in a 32-ounce bottle of distilled water. Spray the mixture on your dog’s fur before a walk in the deep woods to deter ticks.
- Use a lint roller on short-haired dogs after a walk in the woods to pick up ticks.
Do tick killers come with a garden hose concentrate?
Yes, some tick sprays come with an attachment that connects the container of concentrate to your garden hose. The pressure from the hose water will spray the insecticide for you. However, this only works for smaller yards because you’re limited to how far the hose can reach.
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