This Natural Solution Keeps Ticks At Bay While Your Yard Smells Heavenly

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Let's be honest, no one likes ticks hanging around their yard waiting to bite (and potentially spread disease to) any unfortunate human or pet that wanders by. But keeping them out of your yard can seem impossible at times. Luckily, you don't need to waste your money on expensive lawn treatments that can leave behind unwanted chemical residue. There's a natural, budget-friendly solution for repelling ticks that researchers with the United States Department of Agriculture say works just as well as chemical treatments: cedar oil. This oil also happens to have a pleasing, non-chemical smell that only enhances the natural wood fragrance in your yard.

Cedar has been used for generations to prevent insect and fungal activity in the form of wood chests and oil applications. However, research shows that its effectiveness depends on the type of ticks that are plaguing your yard. Black-legged ticks (which are known for spreading Lyme disease) are impacted the most, with cedar oil working just as well as chemical deterrents. Brown dog ticks, American dog ticks, and lone star ticks were all still affected, but around 20% of these varieties stayed in areas treated with cedar oil. There are also some important things to consider when mixing and applying cedar oil to your yard, such as how much oil to use and how often you should apply it.

Cedar oil has many uses around the house, including as an aromatic. But alone, it is too strong to apply directly to your lawn, so you will need to dilute it. To make an effective treatment, you will need water, cedar oil, and ethanol alcohol (like vodka). The water dilutes the oil so it can be diffused through a spray bottle over the target area, while the alcohol works as a binding agent to ensure the entire solution is effective. Mix 1 tablespoon of cedar oil, 2 ounces of ethanol alcohol, and 1 gallon of water. Shake the mixture well before every application. Using a spray bottle, disperse the mixture over the area you wish to treat. Alternatively, there are premade mixtures you can buy that are already formulated for tick prevention and management, such as Cedarcide Extra-Strength Tickshield.

Over time, the effectiveness of the oil will fade. During tick season, apply the mixture regularly. It is up to you how often you apply it, but in general, reapply at regular intervals or when you notice ticks reappearing. You will also want to reapply after rain or wet conditions.

Ticks are more than just an annoyance, they can carry serious diseases that are harmful to humans, pets, and livestock. With proper considerations for lawn care, protection, and even landscaping, ticks can be eradicated from your yard completely. Cedar oil can prove to be effective, but according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it shouldn't be the only prevention measure you use to control tick infestations. While you could use synthetic bug spray such as DEET on individuals and pets, there are still other natural deterrents you can pair with cedar oil treatments.

For starters, certain plants naturally keep ticks out of your yard, such as marigolds, lemongrass, sage, and daffodils, among others. You can also line your yard with cedar mulch or fencing to create a barrier to deter pests and wild animals that could carry ticks into the yard. If your home backs up to woods, keep any gathering areas such as tables or swing sets as far from them as possible. Keeping your lawn mowed low and removing debris, trash, and yard waste can also improve conditions.