
Insects
CONTROL TICKS: IDENTIFY AND KILL TICKS IN YOUR YARD
These tiny bloodsuckers can carry pathogens that transmit disease. Here’s how to keep them away.

There are hundreds of tick species worldwide, but only a small percentage of them make their home in the United States. Of these, four are most common: the deer tick (black-legged tick), American dog tick, brown dog tick, and lone star tick.
Jump down to read our tips for killing and preventing ticks.
Why Some Ticks Are Dangerous
Some ticks can transmit pathogens that can lead to different types of diseases. Some of the most common diseases include:
- Lyme disease
- Tularemia
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Ehrlichiosis
Not all ticks carry or are infected with a disease-causing pathogen. Sometimes the most problematic element of a tick bite is the swelling and pain it can cause at the bite site. A bite can also lead to a rash, blisters, and possibly a burning sensation. Bites that lead to infection could cause a person to have difficulty breathing as well as nausea, fever, chills, headaches, chills, and swollen lymph nodes.
Types of Ticks
Ticks have three life stages: larval, nymph, and adult. Each of these stages requires a blood meal. In some cases, a tick might take up to three days to complete its meal before it will detach from its host. Ticks are most often found near wooded or brush-filled areas. They can also be found in areas with lots of weeds or tall grasses, like meadows. Here’s how to identify some of the most common types of ticks.
Kill and Control Ticks
There are several things you can do to help guard against ticks.
Keep deer away. If you live in a rural area or your property is frequently visited by deer, you should consider using deer repellents or installing a fence to keep them off your property.
Protect yourself. When working outside or going for a hike, take precautions by wearing clothing that covers your arms and legs, and use proper repellents.
- Wear a long-sleeved, light-colored shirt.
- Wear long pants tucked into your socks.
- Use an EPA-approved personal repellent designed specifically for humans.
Protect yourself. When working outside in the yard or going for a hike, wear a long-sleeved, light-colored shirt and long pants tucked into your socks, and use an EPA-approved personal repellent designed specifically for humans. After being outside, check yourself from head to toe for ticks that may have found a bit of unprotected skin to latch onto.
Protect your pets. Ask your veterinarian about effective, pet-friendly tick-control treatments, and check your pets thoroughly for ticks after they’ve been outside.
Keep your yard tidy. Help prevent ticks from taking up residence in your lawn and landscape by keeping it well-maintained.
- Remove leaf and brush piles.
- Cut back tall grasses and weeds.
- Keep woodpiles stacked and dry.
- If you live next to a wooded area, create a 3-foot wide barrier between the tree line and your yard – mulch or gravel will work well.
Protect your yard. You can help keep ticks from taking up residence in your lawn, gardens and landscapes by cutting back tall grasses and weeds and treating with Ortho® Bugclear™ Insect Killer For Lawns & Landscapes Concentrate. Applied with a tank sprayer or the Ortho® Dial N' Spray® Hose End Sprayer, it kills within minutes and gives you 6 months of control against ticks. Another option is to treat your lawn with Ortho® BugClear™ Lawn Insect Killer₁. The granules kill ticks by contact and will provide 3 months of protection.
Create a tick barrier around your home. Add an extra layer of defense against ticks by treating doors, windows, and other entry points with Ortho® Home Defense Insect Killer For Indoor & Perimeter2 With Comfort Wand®. On non-porous indoor surfaces, it will protect against ticks and other common household pests for 12 months. Be sure to follow all label instructions.
If you do get bit by a tick and experience symptoms that include a bulls-eye rash, headache, fever, fatigue, or joint pain and stiffness, visit your healthcare provider immediately for evaluation and treatment.
