If you’re not a fan of fleas, I don’t blame you. They are tiny, unappealing and can do damage to your pets and home.
But before we get into what it takes to kill off these pesky parasites, let’s first discuss how they got into your yard in the first place.
Fleas tend to live on dogs and other animals who spend time outdoors or in the woods where they can easily latch onto an unsuspecting host animal with their powerful claws.
Once they find a meal source (your pet), they immediately begin laying eggs which will eventually hatch into new adult fleas that are able to start reproducing as well!
So now that we know what causes them to be there in the first place, let’s talk about how we can get rid of them once they get inside our homes and yards:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Fleas can be a nuisance in your yard and can cause health issues for your pets and family. |
| Getting rid of fleas in your yard involves treating both your lawn and any areas where your pets may frequent. |
| Chemical treatments and natural remedies can both be effective in flea control, but it’s important to follow the instructions carefully. |
| Regular yard maintenance, such as mowing the lawn and removing debris, can also help prevent flea infestations. |
| If flea infestations persist, it may be necessary to seek professional pest control services. |
Lawn Treatment Tips
You can try to get rid of fleas in your lawn by using a pesticide. This is the most effective way to kill fleas, but you should be aware that pesticides are dangerous for people and pets alike.
One option is to use a natural pesticide. These include:
Diatomaceous earth—This powdery substance is made from the fossilized remains of diatoms, tiny sea creatures that lived millions of years ago.
When it comes into contact with an insect’s exoskeleton, it causes them to dehydrate quickly and die. Diatomaceous earth is safe for humans and pets because it doesn’t leave behind harmful residue on your property when used correctly (i.e., not on plants or food).
Soybean oil—If applied directly onto the skin or fur of an animal who has been infested with fleas, this natural substance will repel them away from their host while also moisturizing their coats so they stay healthy while dealing with their parasites!
The downside? It’ll smell like french fries forever after being applied…
Fleas can be a nuisance in your home, but with the right steps, you can get rid of them easily. Our simple guide outlines the steps you need to take to get rid of fleas once and for all.
Bag & Throw Away Mulch
The last thing you want is your yard looking like it needs a good landscaping service, especially if there are fleas in your yard.
Mulch is great for keeping weeds down and making your lawn look beautiful, but fleas can hide in the mulch and then jump onto your pets or even humans.
To get rid of them, you will have to bag up all of the mulch in plastic bags (not trash bags) and throw it away.
Be sure that there aren’t any other items mixed into the bag with the mulch because these could cause an infestation problem in another part of your home when they get mixed back up with other items like newspapers or food scraps.
| Item | Can be Bagged and Thrown Away? |
|---|---|
| Infested Mulch | Yes |
| Unopened Bag of Mulch | Yes |
| Used and Clean Mulch | No |
| Mulch Treated with Pesticides | Depends on Local Regulations |
Get Rid of Animal Droppings
If your pet is the culprit and you have a large yard, get a rake and remove all of the animal droppings. If it’s just one or two spots, use a shovel to scoop them up. Keep your yard clean by raking or shoveling regularly so that there is no opportunity for fleas to lay their eggs near your home.
Also make sure that any grass clippings are removed from the lawn before they dry out and become a haven for fleas—and don’t forget to wash your hands after handling animal droppings!
Spray Vinegar Solution
If you have pets, it’s important to remember that your pet will not be able to tolerate the same amount of vinegar as a human. Consult with your veterinarian before trying any flea-repelling products on your dog or cat.
Vinegar is a natural and affordable alternative to chemical treatments. It is also safe for children and other family members who might come into contact with it.
Vinegar can be used in conjunction with other natural methods of pest control such as diatomaceous earth and borax powder so that you can kill both fleas and their eggs at once!
Fleas in the house can be a nightmare, but there are easy tips you can follow to get rid of them. Our guide on getting rid of fleas in the house offers practical advice to help you eliminate fleas from your home.
Clean Up The Yard
- Remove dead grass clippings, leaves and other debris.
- Use a rake to remove clippings, or gather them up in paper bags and place them in your trash bin. You can use a leaf blower on thicker piles of leaves if you prefer not to collect them by hand.
- Or sweep the yard with a broom or vacuum cleaner attachment, if that’s easier for you.
Remove Grass Clippings Regularly
The next step you can take to make sure your yard stays free of fleas is to remove grass clippings regularly. Grass clippings retain moisture, which is a perfect environment for fleas to breed in.
If left alone, they’ll breed fast and furiously until there are so many that they start running into each other and getting stuck in the damp earth.
The more food there is for them, the more likely it is that this will happen quickly—and thus you’ll be overrun with fleas!
Regularly removing grass clippings will help prevent this from occurring because it removes any potential food sources from their reach.
You should also keep an eye out for any eggs or larva that may have been laid around these areas as well; if you find any evidence of them (e.g., small white puffs), toss those out too!
| Benefit | Why? |
|---|---|
| Prevents Thatch | Grass clippings left on the lawn can accumulate and create a layer of thatch, which can prevent water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots of the grass. |
| Reduces Disease | Grass clippings can harbor fungal diseases, and removing them can help reduce the spread of disease. |
| Improves Aesthetics | A lawn with trimmed and clean edges looks more visually appealing. |
| Encourages Growth | Regularly removing grass clippings can help stimulate new growth and promote a healthier lawn. |
Mow the Lawn on a Regular Basis
It’s important to keep your lawn mowed regularly. The best thing you can do is to mow the lawn once a week, or at least every few days if possible. This will keep stray dog and cat hair off of the ground and out of your yard.
If you have any overgrown plants in your yard, consider trimming them down before they reach flea-bait height (see below).
Mowing is also helpful because it helps disperse dander from pets into the air—which means those pesky parasites won’t be so likely to stick around!
If you’re a pet owner dealing with a flea infestation, you need to act fast to protect your furry friend. Our guide on getting rid of fleas on a dog provides expert advice on how to safely and effectively eliminate fleas from your dog
Water the Yard Regularly to Help Prevent Fleas
One of the best ways to help prevent fleas from coming into your yard is by watering it regularly. This will keep any areas that are dry, such as between rocks or under mulch, moist and therefore less inviting to fleas.
Watering also helps prevent a build up of dead leaves or other debris that can provide shelter for fleas and other pests.
If you do not have a lawn, there are still several ways you can water your yard effectively:
You can water the ground around trees and bushes with a spray bottle or hose so long as they are not too close together (you don’t want them competing for moisture).
You can turn on sprinklers at night when the humidity is higher than during the day so that more moisture gets absorbed into the soil rather than being evaporated by sunshine.
Use a Powerful Grass Seed to Encourage a Healthy
- Purchase grass seed at your local garden center or hardware store.
- Use your hands to spread the grass seed evenly across the surface of your lawn, being careful not to leave any bare patches.
- Water the new grass regularly until it is established, which will take approximately two weeks depending upon weather conditions and how much water you can provide for it during that time frame.
- After two weeks, sweep away any dead leaves or debris from around your home (this includes those pesky fleas!)
Looking for natural ways to get rid of fleas in your home? Our guide on getting rid of fleas naturally offers tips and tricks for using natural remedies to eliminate fleas without using harsh chemicals.
Trim Pests Back from Your Yard for Less Food and Cover for Fleas to Hide In
Our next tip is to trim pests back from your yard. If you have any tall grass or weeds, it will be easy for fleas to make themselves at home in these areas.
By keeping the grass cut and the weeds pulled, you can prevent them from taking up residence there. Also, make sure that you keep grass clippings cleaned up so that there aren’t any hiding places for fleas to lay eggs and breed.
Another way that you can help keep pests out of your yard is by using a powerful grass seed like Bermuda Grass Seed or Zoysia Grass Seed that encourages healthy growth and thick turf which makes it harder for pests like fleas to hide in between blades of grass.
Most importantly though, we recommend that you use some kind of pest control method such as monthly flea medicine on pets (if applicable) so they don’t bring more into your home than what was already there when they arrived with their owner!
Take Care of Your Pets With a Monthly Anti-Flea Medicine and Maintain a Cleaner Home Environment
Take care of your pets with a monthly anti-flea medicine. Fleas feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, so it’s important to keep your pet’s flea problem under control.
Maintain a cleaner home environment by routinely sweeping and vacuuming floors, and washing bedding frequently in hot water (at least 130 degrees F). This will help prevent fleas from breeding on those surfaces as well.
Fleas can be just as much of a problem for cats as they are for dogs. If you’re dealing with a flea infestation on your feline friend, check out our guide on getting rid of fleas on cats for practical advice on eliminating fleas from your cat’s coat and your home.
Conclusion
I hope that these tips will help you get an idea of what it takes to get rid of fleas in your yard. Keep in mind that there are always going to be some problems with fleas no matter how well you take care of them, but with these simple steps, you should be able to minimize their presence at least somewhat!
Further Reading
Scotts: How to Treat Fleas in the Yard – A comprehensive guide on how to get rid of fleas in the yard,including prevention tips and treatment options.
PetMD: How to Get Rid of Fleas in the Yard – An informative article on fleas and how to control them in your yard, with tips on natural remedies and preventive measures.
Healthline: How to Get Rid of Fleas – A helpful guide on flea control, including tips for treating your home and pets, and preventing infestations in the future.
FAQs
What are fleas?
Fleas are tiny insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. They are a common problem for pet owners and can cause itching, discomfort, and in some cases, serious health problems.
How do fleas get into my yard?
Fleas can enter your yard in a number of ways, including on other animals, on clothing or shoes, or by hitching a ride on objects like lawn furniture or garden tools.
How can I tell if my yard has a flea infestation?
Some signs that your yard may have a flea infestation include seeing fleas on your pets, noticing itchy red bites on your skin, or seeing flea dirt (which looks like small black specks) on your pet or in your home.
Can I use natural remedies to get rid of fleas in my yard?
Yes, there are a number of natural remedies that can help control fleas in your yard, including diatomaceous earth, nematodes, and essential oils like cedarwood and lavender.
How can I prevent fleas from coming back to my yard?
To prevent fleas from returning to your yard, it is important to maintain good yard hygiene by keeping your lawn trimmed, removing debris and clutter, and treating your pets with flea preventative medication regularly.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
