Are ticks taking over your yard?
In this guide, we delve into the most effective tick control treatments on the market, from potent insecticides to sprays that we’ve personally tested in the field.
With over 20 years of pest control experience, we’re confident in our recommendations.
|
Best Overall
|
Best Pet Spray
|
Best Value
|
|
|
|
|
Summary: A powerful natural botanical insecticide that’s easy to mix and use and kills ticks quickly. |
Summary: A convenient spray formula that provides effective tick control on dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. |
Summary: A multipurpose suspension concentrate insecticide approved for use against ticks in yards, gardens, and more. |
|
4.8
|
4.6
|
4.5
|
Summary: A powerful natural botanical insecticide that’s easy to mix and use and kills ticks quickly.
Summary: A convenient spray formula that provides effective tick control on dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens.
Summary: A multipurpose suspension concentrate insecticide approved for use against ticks in yards, gardens, and more.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Rockwell Labs EcoVia MT Mosquito & Tick Control
- Best Pet Spray: Zoecon Petcor 2
- Best Value: Temprid FX
- Best Runner-Up: Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent
- Most Eco-friendly: Wondercide Flea & Tick
- Best No-Spray: Thermacell Tick Control Tubes
Summary: A powerful natural botanical insecticide that’s easy to mix and use and kills ticks quickly.
Type: Liquid botanical insecticide
Key ingredient(s): Clove oil – 13.2%, Citronella oil – 10.5%, 2-Phenylethyl propionate – 10.5%, Lemongrass oil – 7.9%
Also good for: Mosquitos and flies.
Rockwell Labs EVMT016 EcoVia MT Mosquito & Tick Control is our number one recommendation for a variety of reasons.
First, we love that this botanical insecticide contains concentrated natural ingredients like lemongrass, clove, and citronella oil.
The formula kills ticks quickly and keeps repelling ticks, mosquitos, and flies for weeks after application. Because it’s oil-based, it also sticks to leaves and foliage better than many synthetic insecticides, which makes it even more effective.
Because this formula is so concentrated, you don’t have to use much to get results in your yard. This makes it a convenient and economical solution, even if you have lots of property to treat.
Additionally, this product doesn’t contain Pyrethroid, so it’s not subject to water set-back restrictions, meaning you can fog it over water and near marine environments, like pools and ponds.
Finally, this formula is safe for use around children and pets, as long as you follow label directions.
Our Experience: We field-tested EcoVia MT in our customers’ yards. We liked the built-in measuring cup in the bottle. Unlike other oil-based products, it didn’t clog our spray nozzles. The smell was quite pleasant, and the formula didn’t stain any porous materials we sprayed it on, either.
How to Use
Depending on your needs, this product can be applied with a mist blower, compressed air sprayer, or fogger. It’s ideal for use in various outdoor settings and can be sprayed in grassy areas, under bushes, plants, shrub trees, and other landscaping materials, and in damp areas.
To use this product for tick control, dilute the concentrate at a rate of 0.33 to 0.66 fl oz per gallon for deer ticks and 0.66 to 1.0 fl oz per gallon for Lone Star and larger ticks.
Apply to target areas until the surfaces are wet. Reapply every 30 days or as frequently as needed.
If you have a dog, spray the edges of your yard, the area under decks or porches, or other areas where dogs rest or play.
- Safe for use around kids and pets
- Can be applied in multiple ways, including with mist blowers and foggers
- Non-toxic and eco-friendly
- Concentrated formula.
- Economical
- Safe for use around water sources like pools
- Won’t cause insecticide buildup in the soil
- Mess-free and easy to use
- Offers 2 weeks of residual pest control
- It does not last as long as synthetic insecticides and must be reapplied every few weeks
- Does give off an essential oil smell, which dissipates quickly with outdoor use
- May require several applications to resolve a tick infestation
Summary: A convenient spray formula that provides effective tick control on dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens.
Type: Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) and tick-killer.
Key ingredients: 0.50% Etofenprox 0.27% (S)-Methoprene 1.75% Piperonyl butoxide
Also good for: Kills adult fleas and repels mosquitos.
When domestic pets play outside, they can pick up ticks and introduce them into your home or yard.
Petcor 2 Flea & Tick Spray is a convenient and easy-to-use tick-killing spray that’s safe for use on domestic pets. It also contains an IGR that continuously kills flea and tick eggs and larvae and prevents tick infestations for up to 63 days.
When used correctly, this product is safe for use on dogs and puppies ten weeks old and older and for cats and kittens 12 weeks old and older.
Our Experience:
When we used this product to treat ticks on our pets, we found that it went to work quickly and killed tick eggs and larvae for months after application. When we initially applied it, we noticed that this formula gave off a strong chemical smell, which dissipated as it dried. We liked the convenient spray bottle and appreciated that it didn’t require mixing.
How to Use
Shake this product well before using it. Apply the spray evenly to your pet’s hair coat. For best results, ruffle your pet’s coat while spraying against the natural lay of the hair. If you see ticks, spray them directly before removing them from your pet’s coat with fine-point tweezers. Use a cloth to rub this product around your pet’s face and eyes. Spray your pet’s legs and tail last. For dogs and puppies, apply this product no more than twice per month, with the second application more than eight days after the first application. For cats and kittens, only use this product once a month. Repeat every month for ongoing tick protection.
- Effective, fast-acting
- Long-lasting
- Safe for use on even young pets
- Works as a contact spray as well
- It has a strong smell when initially applied
- If applied by pets’ mouths, they may dislike its bitter taste
Summary: A multipurpose suspension concentrate insecticide approved for use against ticks in yards, gardens, and more.
Type: Suspension concentrate insecticide
Key ingredient(s): Imidacloprid 21% beta-Cyfluthrin 10.5%
Also good for: Kills 50+ insects including mosquitoes, ants, bed bugs, blue or green bottle flies, boxelder bugs, brown marmorated stink bugs, carpet beetles, centipedes, clothes moths, clover mites, cluster flies, cockroaches and more.
If you’re looking for an effective insecticide that won’t break the bank, look no further than Temprid FX.
Temprid FX combines beta-cyfluthrin for fast-acting power and imidacloprid for maximum transference and tick knock-down.
Unlike other products designed for use in tick harborage areas, Temprid FX can be used as a target or perimeter treatment, which means it’s extra effective at killing ticks on contact and keeping them away after application.
When used correctly, this product lasts up to 30 days outdoors.
This product replaces another product, Temprid SC, which has been discontinued. While Temprid FX contains the same active ingredients as the old product, its expanded label means it can be used on more pests and is safe for application on ornamentals.
Our Experience:
When we field-tested this product, we found the 8mL bottles convenient and easy to use and were pleasantly surprised that you can make 1 gallon of finished solution from such a small bottle.
How to Use
This product can be used outdoors as a spot treatment or crevice spray.
To apply the formula in your yard, add half a gallon of water to a sprayer. Pour the 8 ml bottle of Temprid FX into the sprayer, and add another half gallon of water.
Before use, gently agitate the mixture by shaking the sprayer. Re-apply every 7-10 days, as needed, or after bad weather conditions have been present.
- Easy to use and mix
- Affordable
- Kills over 50 pest species
- Does contain chemicals, so must be used with caution around kids and pets
- The broad-spectrum formula is less targeted than tick-specific formulas.
Summary: An effective tick-repellent spray for use on items such as outdoor cushions and furniture.
Type: Tick repellent.
Key ingredient: Permethrin
Also good for: Mosquitoes, chiggers, mites, and 55 other insects.
Sometimes, ticks can hitch a ride back to your yard or home via items that you used outdoors, like tents, picnic blankets, clothing, outdoor cushions, and furniture. Fortunately, this convenient tick-repellent spray protects you from biting ticks.
To repel ticks, Sawyer Products SP657 Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent uses Permethrin, a synthetic molecule similar to the natural substances found in the tick-repelling chrysanthemum flower. Permethrin repels insects from clothing and fabric products while killing ticks, mosquitos, chiggers, and other sucking pests.
Although it is highly deadly to pests, Permethrin is significantly less toxic to humans and other mammals, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to avoid harsh, harmful chemicals.
This product binds firmly to fabrics and lasts up to 6 weeks or 6 washes when used correctly.
Our Experience:
When we used this tick-repellent around our customers’ yards, we found it easy to use, fast-acting, and effective. The spray nozzle provided adequate coverage, and the spray itself was odorless once dry. We liked that it did not stain or damage any clothing, fabrics, or finished surfaces we sprayed it on. That said, we noticed that the spray nozzle was a little flimsy and failed after several uses.
How to Use
To apply this product, spray the formula directly onto gear and clothing with a slow, sweeping motion. To ensure an even spray, keep the bottle at least 6-8” from the product you’re spraying, and be sure to spray each side of the garment for about 30 seconds.
- Effective
- DEET-free
- Long-lasting
- Can be applied on dogs
- Non-staining
- Odor-free when dry
- Prevents tick bites
- This product does not work as a personal protection insect repellent when applied to the skin
- Has a strong smell when the product is wet
- The sprayer bottle breaks easily
- It does not kill ticks
Summary: A natural insecticide formula that kills ticks at all life stages and is safe for use around pets, kids, and gardens.
Type: Plant-based tick control.
Key ingredient(s): Organic Cedar Oil – 22.50%
Also good for: Fleas, mosquitoes, flies, lice, and mites.
Want to get rid of ticks without harsh chemicals? Look no further than Wondercide Flea & Tick Control.
An excellent alternative to chemical pesticides, this eco-friendly formula uses cedar oil as an active ingredient. It’s non-staining and ideal for outdoor use on gardens, lawns, shrubs, flowers, and ornamental trees and bushes.
While some eco-friendly products take days or weeks to control ticks, this product kills on contact and repels ticks for weeks after application.
Although this product provides quick knockdown for ticks and other target pests, it doesn’t harm bees or beneficial insects. Unlike chemical pesticides, this formula also doesn’t require post-application wait time, meaning you can re-enter your yard immediately after using the product.
Our Experience:
When we tested this product, we appreciated its convenience – the bottle comes with a built-in hose nozzle, which makes applying this formula simple and mess-free. We used this product around our yards and gardens and as a treatment in our clients’ yards. The spray dried quickly, and we noticed decreased tick activity within the first few days.
How to Use
This product comes in a ready-to-use spray bottle. To apply it, connect it to your garden hose and treat all affected outdoor areas twice within 7-10 days.
To prevent re-infestation, spray your outdoor spaces every 30-45 days or as needed. Treat year-round to control ticks at all life stages.
- Pet and child safe when used as directed
- Dries quickly
- Contain NO Pyrethrins or synthetic chemicals
- Fast acting
- Non-toxic
- The bottle’s flow control nozzle can be difficult to turn
- Since this is a natural product, it requires much more frequent application than a synthetic product
Summary: A convenient no-spray tick control tube designed to provide long-lasting outdoor tick control.
Type: Tick control tubes.
Key ingredient(s): Permethrin
Also good for: N/A – this product only targets ticks.
While spot treatments effectively kill ticks on contact, they won’t control ticks around your property in the areas you don’t (or can’t) spray.
That’s where these Thermacell Tick Control Tubes come in.
Formulated with Permethrin, which kills ticks by affecting their nervous systems, these tubes are easy to set up and only require replacement twice a year.
Ideal for use as a complement to spray programs, these tick control tubes are environmentally friendly and low-hazard.
That said, the tubes do not kill ticks on contact – instead, they contain Permethrin-treated cotton, which mice take back to their nests. Ticks that feed on the mice then die.
Our Experience:
When we tested these tubes in our clients’ yards, we loved how easy they were to use. We placed these tubes in our clients’ landscaping, rock walls, and other outdoor features and noticed they dramatically reduced tick populations within a few days.
How to Use
Place these tubes flat on the ground in brush-covered or wooded areas within 50 yards of the site you want to protect (such as a lawn or garden). Replace the tubes with fresh ones twice annually.
- Affordable
- Pet safe if used as directed
- No mess or mixing
- Easy to use
- These tick control tubes are only effective for large lots or yards with densely wooded areas that support large mouse populations – not small lots or manicured lawns.
Buyers’ Guide
Wondering how to choose the best tick killer for your yard? Here are our top tips:
1. Take a comprehensive approach
Getting rid of ticks usually requires a multi-faceted approach that includes many of the products on this list, including spot and contact sprays, IGRs, and treatments like barrier sprays or tick tubes.
If you have pets, you should also get tick control treatments from your veterinarian. Together, these efforts control ticks at all stages of their lifespan and help prevent re-infestation.
2. Look for products specially formulated for ticks
Ticks can be difficult to eliminate, and it’s essential to use tick-specific formulas to target them directly.
While broad-spectrum insecticides may work to kill ticks and can be a practical addition to tick-control programs, you should always use them alongside targeted tick-control treatments designed to eliminate sucking pests.
3. Combine spot and residual treatment
To create the most long-lasting protection, use a combination of spot and residual treatment sprays.
Spot treatments kill ticks on contact, while barrier treatments provide residual protection for months after application, creating a protective buffer around your property.
Bottom Line
While all of the products on this list are excellent tick-control options, Rockwell Labs EVMT016 EcoVia MT Mosquito & Tick Control is our top choice.
In addition to the liquid formula being practical, safe, and easy to use, we love that this botanical insecticide kills ticks quickly and provides residual repellency for weeks after treatment.
How We Tested the Best Tick Killers for the Yard
Our list of the best tick killers for your yard includes options ranging from no-spray tick tubes to IGRs and spot treatments.
To choose the tick-killers we included on this list, we compiled the products we use daily as pest control professionals and chose the best-performing products in each category.
Once we had our initial list of products, we evaluated each based on how well it performed, how quickly it killed ticks, price, safety, and ease of use. The result is this list of effective, targeted, high-quality tick killers that we can recommend confidently.
Why Trust Pest Dude?
When you consider a product recommendation, trust is essential. You want balanced information based on real-world experience. Here at the Pest Dude, we’re committed to giving you both. Our team research and test every product. We compare results with other licensed pest control professionals, and we double-check our findings.
Zachary Smith, our company founder, has over 20 years of field experience. He runs his own company, Smith’s Pest Management, serving home and business owners throughout the Bay Area. Zachary has the final say over featured products. The goal is to give you the knowledge you need to solve pest problems like a pro. It’s our pleasure to put our expertise at your service.
FAQs
The best time to spray your yard for ticks is in the spring (from May to June) when ticks are in the early stages of their life cycle. Usually, spraying once in the late spring will be sufficient to control ticks all year long.
Ticks can transmit many diseases, including Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Powassan Virus Disease, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Ticks transmit diseases to their host when they break the skin to feed, transmitting a small amount of saliva into the host’s bloodstream.
Contact the Pest Dude! We have a broad network of reputable partners in your area that can help. Call us at (844) 532-0076 or message us, and we’ll connect you to our local partners.
