Does Bleach Kill Ticks | How To Kill Ticks

Bleach is widely known for its cleaning and stain removing properties. But does bleach kill ticks? Keep reading to know everything about bleach and ticks.

What Are Ticks?

Ticks are not considered insects; they are spider-like arachnids, a form of the parasite. They prefer warm and moist places, but during winter they survive by living underground. Their hosts could be humans as well as animals. When ticks find a host for themselves to feed on, they look for areas with soft skin. Ticks use their mouth-parts to cut through the hosts’ skin, inserting the feeding tube and feeds on the hosts’ blood until it is full.

Does Bleach Kill Ticks?

Bleach in any concentration is sufficient enough to kill a tick. But to be on the safer side, dilute it with water and spray it in your garden in places where ticks can hide. Make sure not to spray it on plants as it can kill them.

If you have a lawn, spray neem oil on the grass to get rid of ticks as they generally prefer to hide there. Also, be sure not to use bleach on your pets as it will harm their hair and skin. Moreover, bleach can damage your skin as well; therefore, it’s advisable not to use it. Instead, you can try the below mentioned natural remedies to get rid of ticks.

Ticks Prevention Tips

• The use of pesticides can reduce the ticks’ infestation in treated areas of your yards.
• Don’t let rodents or other unwelcomed animals trespass your lawn fence as they may carry ticks on their fur.
• Avoid spending time in tick-infested habitats.
• Camping, gardening, or hunting could expose you to ticks as they live in grassy, brushy or wooded areas.
• DEET and permethrin based mosquito and tick repellents can be used while working in the yard, clearing leaves, or other landscaping activities with a higher risk of tick exposure.
•  When hiking, keep to the center of trails to minimize contact with adjacent vegetation.

DIY Tick Sprays

1. Natural Tick Repellent Spray

Ingredients Required

• Witch Hazel (a gentle skin astringent)
• Aloe vera juice
• Lavender oil (10 drops)
• Lemon essential oil (10 drops)
• Cedarwood oil (20 drops)

Procedure

• Add four tablespoons of witch hazel, 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice, ten drops of lavender oil, lemon essential oil, and 20 drops of cedarwood oil in a container.
• Mix the solution thoroughly and pour it into a spray bottle.
• Shake the spray bottle before use.
• Use this spray to mist the solution on your pets’ back lightly.
• While spraying, move your hands over your pets’ back so that the spray reaches all over the body.
• Avoid using it on the face.

Note

When you are using essential oils on your pets, less than 2% is considered to be safe, and the above mixture contains 1.6% of essential oils.

2. Tick Repellent Spray

Materials Required

• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• One tablespoon lemon juice
• Clean spray bottle
• Washcloth

 Procedure

• Add 1/2 cup of distilled water, 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp lemon juice to a spray bottle.
• Place the spray bottle lid and shake it well.
• Apply the mixture to a washcloth.
• Now apply it to your pets’ coat using the washcloth.

Conclusion

Keep your yard and pets clean to avoid tick infestation. You should contact a certified vet doctor if your pets’ tick infestation worsens.