What I recommend for general "yard and garden" pest control is "Malathion Plus", a very specific product made by Ortho and destributed by Scotts.

Leaving out either of the two ingrediants, Sevin or Malathion, will not do a good job on any of the pests I listed.

Ticks often crawl up on annual grasses and similar plants and grab a ride with people or pets when they walk through to vegetation. Clearing the yard works wonders, even for the control of rats and mice. Ants like the cleared yard, but you can easily spot the mounds and spray them.