If your pet has fleas, there’s a good chance your yard is infested, too. Pets often pick up fleas while they’re outside. These wingless pests reproduce quickly and cause itchy, irritating bites that affect animals and humans. Learning how to get rid of fleas in your yard can help you solve the problem quickly.

What Attracts Fleas to Your Yard?

Fleas usually end up in your yard after hitching a ride on another animal. If you take your dog on walks, to dog parks or to other outdoor areas, they might pick up fleas while there. When you get home, the fleas may end up in your yard. Other animals that could bring fleas to your backyard include:

• Rodents
• Birds
• Squirrels
• Raccoons
• Bats
• Skunks

You could attract fleas to your property indirectly by making your outdoor space appealing to wildlife. Bird feeders attract not only birds but other animals such as mice and squirrels that want a free meal. Easily accessible trash and overgrown foliage near your home may also attract flea-carrying animals. 

While fleas usually end up in your yard by traveling on a host, they’re attracted to certain features that might be present around your home. The heat emitted from people and animals may attract fleas. They can also sense the carbon dioxide you produce when you exhale. At night, lighted areas could help fleas find their next hosts. Even though they can’t see well, fleas can locate people or animals based on shadows produced by light. Green and yellow lights seem to be particularly attractive to fleas. 

What Do Fleas Look Like?

Fleas are tiny — adults are only about 2.5 millimeters in length. They don’t have wings on their thin, flat bodies, which are usually brown to reddish brown. It’s not easy to spot fleas in your yard due to their small size. One way to check is by walking around in the yard while wearing long white socks. If you have an infestation, the tiny bugs will likely end up on the socks, where you can easily see their dark bodies. 

What Kills Fleas in the Yard?

There are a number of insecticides available that are designed to kill fleas. If you have pets, look for a pet-safe option to prevent harm to your furry friends. Keep in mind that even a pet-safe product can make your dog sick if it’s ingested. Some insecticides may only work on adult fleas and not on the eggs or larvae. You may need to apply a product multiple times. 

If you don’t want the risks associated with applying insecticides yourself, hiring Lawn Doctor to perform the treatment for you is a safe alternative. We know how to apply professional-grade products safely and effectively to eliminate these pests.

There are some natural ways to treat fleas if you prefer that route. Nematodes are small worms that won’t hurt you or your pets. However, they kill fleas at all life stages, from eggs to adults. They tend to survive better in shady areas. You can also sprinkle powdered food-grade diatomaceous earth around your yard. This product dehydrates and kills the fleas. 

If you have pets, treating them for fleas at the same time as you treat your yard helps eliminate the problem. Apply flea treatments recommended by your veterinarian to prevent future infestations. You’ll also want to clean your home, including pet beds and anywhere your pet sleeps, to eliminate any fleas inside your home. Without treating the problem thoroughly, fleas could keep reinfesting all these areas. 

How to Prevent Fleas in Your Yard

Once you get rid of the fleas, keep them away by cleaning up your yard and making it less attractive to all types of wildlife. Mow your lawn regularly and clear away any debris or overgrown plants, especially in areas near your house. Dethatching your lawn helps eliminate hiding spots for fleas. You should also avoid overwatering the grass because fleas like moisture. 

Certain smells also tend to repel fleas, including cedar. Consider spreading cedar chips as mulch, especially along your fence lines and perimeter garden areas. You can also try planting catnip and lavender around your house, since the smell of these plants repel fleas. 

One of the most effective ways to keep fleas out of your space is by regularly applying perimeter pest control treatments. Lawn Doctor offers professional pest control treatments that provide ongoing protection against fleas and other pesky bugs. Professional treatments are effective and are applied by experts who understand how to keep fleas under control. 

Eliminate the itchy, annoying presence of fleas with help from Lawn Doctor. Our pest control services keep your yard free of fleas so you and your pets can enjoy your outdoor spaces.