Beneficial Nematodes

• Nematodes are microscopic threadlike organisms that eat and control pest populations, such as ticks. Beneficial nematodes are a combination of two species, Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. They can be bought online from green gardening suppliers, such as arbico-organics.com and extremelygreen.com.
  
  The beneficial nematodes are shipped to your home on a sponge. The lawn would need to be thoroughly watered before nematodes can be introduced, as water is essential for them to travel and spread throughout the lawn. One million nematodes will treat at least 2,000 square feet of soil, killing ticks in as little as 48 hours. Beneficial nematodes kill ticks by infecting them with a bacterium that is toxic to them. They are harmless to people and pets, as well as farm animals. Beneficial nematodes are also safe to use in organic gardening.
  
  

Cedar Chips

• Cedar chips are an excellent home remedy for many insects and pests, including ticks and fleas. Dog beds also can be purchased with cedar chips inside them, for further prevention of ticks in your home. Ticks do not like the smell of cedar and will avoid the area.
  
  The lawn and surrounding flower beds can be sprinkled with cedar chips. It is recommended that you sprinkle cedar chips on the lawn before the first mowing, so the lawn can be mowed and chips turned into a finer powder. The powder will not harm grass but will continue to work as a repellent.
  
  Purchase the chips from local home and garden centers, or contact a local sawmill for cedar shavings.
  
  

Neem Oil

• Neem oil is not a chemical. Instead, it is a natural oil made from the seeds of the neem tree, which is native to Asia. Neem oil can be purchased online or at local gardening centers. It can also be found in stores specializing in organic gardening. It is safe to apply to outdoor plants, lawns, and gardens.
  
  Mix 1 tsp. (cap full) of neem oil per 1 qt. of water (4 tsp. per gallon), and add a drop of liquid dish detergent to act as a sticking agent. You will need to make larger batches of neem oil spray depending on the size of your lawn. Use a backpack sprayer to apply neem oil solution to your lawn, which will act as a tick repellent.
  
  

Prevention

• The best home remedy for tick control is prevention. Do not over water your lawn. Let the lawn dry out after watering. Use a sprinkler system with a timer and schedule it to automatically turn off when it rains.
  
  Clean your yard out from debris or tall grass, so the ticks have no environment in which to thrive. Clean debris around fences, old leaves and trash to prevent tick hiding places from forming.