Repel ticks from yard?
Question:Does anyone know the best way to repel dangerous insects from lawns? The soil is perfect for a garden, but I don't want one because it will attract more insects, from what i've seen we have centipedes, ticks and water spiders, I know there probably isn't much I can do but, I would like for my son to be able to play in the grass without me worrying about it too much.
Answers:
"It's a jungle out there! I may be wrong -but I don't think so..."
Oh, yes, the yard.
All those critters yer talkin about just come with the territory and if you have lots and lots, that generally indicates a healthy ecology. Do NOT under any circumstances take the advice to put some kind of poison in the system, because that will result in a surge of some really bad stuff when mother nature does her "bounce-back" thing.
But here's what you CAN do to get momma nature working on your side. Its all about the birds. Feed 'em! Attracting birds will bring in many who you'll see pecking at the ground, which to them is a sort of big Shoney's buffet. Also put in a bird bath or 2, near to the ground, in a shady area (that's where the birds like it best.) Is there as pair of robins out there in the back yard? If so, that's a GOOD thing; they really love to pull those nasty old centipedes outta the grass. I actually saw a robin smoke one the other day.
What is far more likely to be a problem for your kid is not the bugs you can see, but the ones you can't: bacteria in the soil, nematodes, pin-worm and the like. Handle that by washing hands when the little tyke comes in and a good shower at end of day with special attention to those little cracks and crevices we polite people don't talk about. Seriously.
That leaves mosquitos, whom you should fight to the death! If you have a pond of still water (or a baby pool or even an old tire) with standing water, either dump the water or else toss in a "mosquito dunk," a donut shaped thing that kills the larva but won't hurt other life -including you. Get 'em at Lowes, Home Dept, the hardware store, etc. They're packed on a blister card in the "anti-bug department."
You did mention tics. I don't care if you dump 10 tons of DDT on your backyard, you're gonna have a tic or 2 that comes in from elsewhere and if you've got pine trees nearby -or a pet that roams near them, you're gonna have tics. The birds will help with this, but the basic deal is keeping things cleaned up and close inspection after play time.
In general, after you've taken care of using the natural adjustments I've mentioned, then make sure you apply bug repellent to the child as a final line of defense. Makes more sense to protect him/her directly than to attempt a wholesale killing on the lawn area.
If you still have concerns about your kid being eaten, stung, bitten or pooped on, then set up a play area somewhere. Lay down some flat patio sections with a sand box in the middle -but don't be surprised when you see him digging in the grass to chase down a millipede.
Offered in good humor, this; but please be easy on what's naturally there, or you'll have a miniature Iraqi conflict in your backyard -and the bugs will win.
bug-b-gon!!! it's safe to walk, run, play, roll around in the yard once it's dried which may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or so!
seven dust
Get some guinea hens or chickens. Your yard will be bug free and you get free eggs. Just two or three hens is all you need for a smaller yard. I'm getting a few as soon as I move and will be keeping them in a 6x6 dog kennel with shelter for a roost as a coop and then turning them out in the yard during the day.
A heavy applcation of diatomaceous earth with a spreader on your lawn. Diatomaceous earth, not the kind from pool suppliers, is actually microfossils made of silica which is very sharp and rips up insects. It some areas are a special problem you could apply a heavier amount. Wear a dust mask when you open the bag and apply it. It's an organic option and won't poison your kids or pets.
You can find it at you local garden store. Good Luck !!
I don't know if this works but some people state that sprinkling cheyenne pepper on the yard repels fleas and ticks.
I wouldn't send out the toddlers to play in the yard though!
Sandy :O)
Kill them. Death is the best repellent.
Try vinegar in a dish.
There are some tick medicines that cause infertility so the ticks can not reproduce. Do you have pets? Squirrels, deer, birds etc all are carriers.
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