Ticks are everywhere this year—and when you’ve got little ones running around outside, the risk can feel overwhelming. While chickens are a great natural option, not every family can go that route. Here’s what I found to keep ticks out of your fenced-in yards, gardens, or outdoor play spaces without harsh chemicals.
1. Keep grass trimmed and edges neat
Ticks love tall grass and shady overgrown areas. Mow regularly and trim back bushes around fence lines.
2. Create a mulch or gravel barrier
Add a 3-foot wide border around play areas using wood chips, mulch, or gravel to help prevent ticks from crossing into high-traffic zones.
3. Use tick-repelling plants
Plant things like lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, and mint around your yard’s perimeter to deter ticks naturally. Download my free plant guide here!
4. Spray the Yard (Safely)
Use a kid- and pet-safe tick spray like Cedarcide or Wondercide. Spray around the perimeter and especially under shaded playground equipment.
5. Keep Toys & Furniture in Sunny Spots
Ticks hate direct sunlight. Place ride-on toys, picnic tables, and swings in the sunniest area of your yard.
6. Put Out Tick Tubes
Tick tubes are biodegradable tubes filled with treated cotton that mice take back to their nests—targeting ticks at their source. They’re non-toxic to humans and can reduce the tick population over time.
7. Do a tick check routine
Make it a daily habit to check your child’s scalp, behind ears, under arms, waistband area, and behind knees after outdoor play.
Keeping your yard tick-safe doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. With a few natural habits and some mindful landscaping, you can create a safer play space for your kids this season—without needing a flock of chickens (unless you want one!).
