Keep these itchy pests from coming inside
You’re lying out in the backyard, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine and the sound of the breeze in the trees. But the pleasant time outside is quickly over when you realize fleas hiding in the grass made your legs and ankles into an afternoon feast. If you’re dealing with these pesky pests, here’s how to get rid of fleas in your yard using three different methods.
Whether you have pets or not, yards make a great hiding spot for fleas to live and reproduce. Fleas may come into your yard from local wildlife, who might stop by to poke around for shelter or a snack. Leaving clutter, standing water, or food around the yard can attract animals and any fleas they may be carrying to your yard. Tall grass also lures fleas, who are looking for a shady, protected space.
If you have pets, they could pick up fleas from other animals at daycare or the dog park and spread them to your yard and home. Although fleas can’t fly, they can jump as far as 8 inches and just over 5 inches high, making it easy for them to hop from animal to animal.
Flea extermination costs $75 to $400 per treatment. For major flea infestations, which is likely what you’re dealing with if they are all over the yard, you may also need to pay about $200 for a follow-up treatment. Professional treatments are the most effective option for controlling fleas because these pests can reproduce and spread quickly.
When fleas take over your yard, you’ll know it quickly. Fleas feed on the blood of their hosts, so even if you don’t see the fleas themselves in the grass, you’ll quickly feel the itchy bites they leave on your skin, usually around the ankles. Other common signs that there are fleas in the yard include:
You see fleas in the yard or on your or your pet’s skin.
Put on tall white socks and walk through the yard. The fleas will show up on the socks.
Itchy bumps on your or your pet’s skin.
Your pet is scratching more than usual.
Your pet’s skin is red and irritated from scratching.
To get rid of fleas, there are a few different DIY methods to consider. Regardless of your choice, it’s important to closely follow product label instructions and warnings, since flea treatments could also impact your yard, plants, pets, and beneficial insects in the lawn.
You can apply store-bought flea spray treatments to the yard by following the label instructions. It’s best to spray flea treatments in the morning or evening to prevent the chemicals from damaging your lawn.
Keep in mind, though, that these treatments could be harmful to pets, animals, and helpful insects, like bees. Look for the ingredient spinosad, which is not toxic to bees once dry.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a substance made from fossilized remains of single-cell aquatic organisms and forms of silica. You can sprinkle the powdery DE around the yard. When fleas or other insects pass over DE, it cuts open their exoskeletons and kills them.
Use the DE pesticide following the label instructions. While you can use this on the ground, make sure to keep it away from flowers or fruiting trees, as it can kill bees and other insect pollinators.
It’s all in the name: beneficial nematodes are beneficial at controlling fleas, and as a bonus, they won’t harm helpful pollinators in the garden. Beneficial nematodes are microscopic roundworms that are parasites to fleas, grubs, and caterpillars without attacking helpful critters, like earthworms or bees. This is a safe, natural method of killing fleas.
Apply beneficial nematodes around the yard by following the instructions on the product label. Typically, you’ll need to use a sprayer or a watering can to apply the beneficial nematodes to the lawn.
There are many ways to keep fleas, plus other pests, out of your yard. Not only should you be trying to deter fleas, but discouraging wild animals from coming into your yard can also minimize the risk of a flea infestation.
Fleas, ticks, and other pests like to shelter in the protection of tall grasses. While you don’t want to mow your grass too short (the best mowing height for grass is usually about 2 to 3 inches), which can compromise the health of your lawn, letting it grow unruly can invite pests. Sticking to a regular mowing schedule can help maintain a healthy lawn and make your yard less inviting to fleas.
Thatch consists of dead plant matter on the lawn, which can not only ruin your vibrant, green grass, but can also attract fleas and other pests. You should dethatch your lawn about once every year to every three years, depending on the type of grass and climate.
Fleas and other pests often search for a warm, protected place to shelter and reproduce. For yards with leaf piles, scraps of wood, and other clutter, fleas may feel right at home. These clutter piles can also attract flea-carrying wildlife to come into your yard.
Fleas may not be lured by standing water, but it does attract stray animals and wildlife. Make sure to clean up any standing water around the yard, such as kiddie pools, pet bowls, wheelbarrows, or bird baths, to deter wildlife from stopping by your yard and bringing their fleas along.
Fleas are attracted to low light since they use light and shadows to track down movements of potential hosts. But sunlight is too bright for these bugs, who seek shelter in tall grass and shadows around the yard. To bring in more sunlight, make sure to trim and prune your trees and shrubs regularly.
The smell of cedar mulch can help repel not just fleas, but ticks, too. You can add this type of mulch to your garden beds, playgrounds, or even around patios and fences to ward off fleas and other pests.
To help naturally repel fleas, you can plant herbs, flowers, and other plants that these pests don’t like the smell of. Marigold, sage, and mint are a few examples that can help keep fleas at bay. If you have dogs or cats that play out in the yard, ensure to plant pet-friendly, pest-repelling plants to keep your furry friends safe.
Hiring a flea exterminator costs about $75 to $400, while DIY methods may cost around $5 to $30. But unfortunately, DIY treatments often only offer temporary relief. Fleas reproduce fast, and store-bought or homemade repellents may only target fleas at certain life stages. Hiring a flea exterminator near you is the most effective way to kill off fleas, from eggs to adults, and keep them from coming back.
No, fleas in the yard aren’t going to go away on their own. Fleas lay dozens of eggs per day, meaning they can spread quickly. Adult fleas can live in the ground or tall grasses for days or up to two weeks without a host, while the pupae can last months without a host.
Dawn dish soap can help kill fleas in the yard, but it’s ineffective for killing large amounts of fleas. Dish soap mixed with water can help trap a flea here and there, but it won’t work to get rid of an infestation. Since fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day, this method is best used as an extra way to kill fleas in the yard rather than the main treatment.
The best time of day to spray the yard for fleas is early morning or evening, when the sun is not directly overhead. This timing helps prevent the chemicals in the spray from damaging your grass or other plants by getting too hot. Ideally, you should spray on a clear day, with at least 24 hours before and after rain.
