How to Kill Animal Ticks

Ticks are tiny parasites that are closely related to spiders. They feed by sucking blood, and it is common to find them on dogs, cats and even humans. Several species of tick exist, and they are more than a nuisance. They can carry and transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Dogs are also at risk for tick paralysis. Several methods can kill and control ticks, but you'll need to experiment to find the one that works best for you and your pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Shampoo
  • Water
  • Flea dip
  • Flea and tick spray
  • Flea collar
  • Chemical topical repellent
  • Anti-tick lawn spray
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Instructions

  1. Topical Treatments

    • 1

      Shampoo your dog or cat, ensuring that you clean areas such as the head and neck, ears, genitals and between the toes. Ticks easily can hide in these areas.

    • 2

      Make a flea dip by mixing a concentrated powder with warm water. Several brands of flea dip are commercially available with tick-killing agents such as pyrethrin.

    • 3

      Sponge or pour the flea dip on your pet, getting all of the hard-to-reach areas. If possible, do not rinse off the dip. Using a leave-in dip will allow more of the tick-killing agent to stay on the animal, boosting the length of the dip's effectiveness. Dip every couple of weeks to keep your pet tick-free.

    • 4

      Spray your pet in between dips with an anti-tick spray. Alcohol-based ones seem to be the most effective, but water-based sprays are available as well.

    Collars

    • 5

      Ask your veterinarian to recommend an appropriate flea and tick collar for your pet. These collars are worn along with the pet's regular collar, and most kill both types of parasites.

    • 6

      Buy a collar that is the right size for your pet. Flea and tick collars are available in several sizes, though they also are adjustable so that any excess material can be clipped. Choose one with flea and tick protection that lasts up to six months.

    • 7

      Choose a collar made of natural ingredients such as pyrethrins. Avoid collars that contain carbomates, which can cause health problems. Generally, collars with natural ingredients are safer in the event that puppies chew on them while playing together.

    • 8

      Place the collar around your pet's neck and buckle it. Clip off the excess length close to the buckle so that your pet won't be able to chew it.

    Chemical Treatments

    • 9

      Treat your pet with a topical chemical treatment. Frontline and Advantage are two common brands of topical chemical repellents that can be applied to the skin between your pet's shoulder blades. The liquid spreads out over the skin and protects pets like a full-body chemical flea collar.

    • 10

      Spray your lawn with a chemical spray formulated to kill ticks. You may need to do this every week or 10 days in order to maintain a tick-free environment.

    • 11

      Contact a professional exterminator if you have a large yard or do not want to spray your lawn yourself.