Tick Tube Strategy

Tick tubes target mice that carry ticks. By treating the mice's nesting material with permethrin or natural alternatives, you reduce tick populations yard-wide.

DIY Tick Tube Recipe

Materials - Toilet paper tubes, cotton batting, permethrin solution (or cedar oil alternative)

Instructions - Soak cotton batting in permethrin solution (follow label directions). Stuff into toilet paper tubes. Scatter throughout yard along paths and vegetation edges.

Natural Alternative

Mix cedar oil with cotton batting for natural tick deterrent. While less potent than permethrin, cedar offers non-toxic option.

Placement Strategy

Place tubes near wood piles, leaf litter, and vegetation edges where mice nest. Mice use the material for nests, transferring treatment to their fur.

Timeline

Tick populations decline within 4-6 weeks as mice disperse treated material. Replacement tubes maintain effectiveness through tick season.

Combined Approach

Tick tubes work best combined with yard management (clearing brush, removing leaf litter) and personal prevention for comprehensive tick control.