From April to August, when the days get longer and the temperatures warm, it’s natural to want to spend more time outside enjoying the sunshine. However, with warmer weather comes ticks, and no one wants to invite ticks to a party. While ticks can be found almost any time of the year, they are most active during the spring and summer. During that time, many homeowners chose to spray their yards with acaricides, pesticides that target ticks, but there are safer alternatives.
Acaricides are chemicals, such as permethrin, deltamethrin and cypermethrin, that are highly effective in killing these pests. Unfortunately, they also pose health risks to both people and animals, such as long-term neurological problems, headaches and seizures. If you have cats or dogs that spend their afternoons rolling in the grass, these chemicals can linger on paws and fur. When your pets lick, they may accidentally ingest chemicals, putting them at risk of exposure.
By using natural acricides you can protect your landscape while letting pets and children explore freely. Essential oils are natural acaricides that use botanical extracts to help you keep ticks out of your yard, and a particularly effective option is yellow cedar heartwood oil.
How to use heartwood of yellow cedar oil
Yellow cedar trees are found along the northwestern Pacific coast of North America. The tree contains sweet-smelling compounds, especially nootkatone, which is a naturally occurring acaricide. The heartwood of yellow cedar oil not only repels ticks, it also affects their nervous system, causing them to die when they come in contact with it. To use yellow cedar heart, mix a third cup of distilled water with a fourth cup of witch hazel in a spray bottle. Add 30 drops of heartwood of yellow cedar essential oil. Spray your yard liberally, especially the areas where your family and animals spend the most time.
Natural oils break down faster than pesticides, especially when exposed to UV light, heat and rain. For best results, you may need to reapply once a week or as needed to keep ticks at bay. If you Look for tick nests in your yardYou may consider enlisting the help of a professional.
Ticks thrive in moist and shady areas, so an important step in tick prevention is to remove piles of leaves, stacked wood, and brush piles. It’s also a good idea to keep your grass mowed. Moreover, you can also Keep ticks at bay this season with DIY repellents If you want a spray-on option for the body. There are extras too Essential oils that can help keep pests away from your home and gardenSuch as citronella, peppermint and cedar.
