Fleas are tiny insects and avid jumpers. They thrive in places that are moist and shady and feed off of blood—typically that of your pets. The problem when dealing with fleas is the need to treat both indoor, outdoor, as well as any pets you have. It’s a long process and can be exhausting. The key to keeping safe from fleas is to learn how to prevent them outside. The pest control and lawn care experts at Heron Home & Outdoor are here to help. Read on to learn how to treat fleas around your lawn and yard.

Where Do Fleas Come From?

If you find yourself with a flea problem, you may be wondering how they got there in the first place. These parasitic pests thrive in hot humid weather, which is why they’re so common here in Florida. People or pets typically pick up fleas when spending time outside in unkempt, tall grassy areas. This means your pets are susceptible to picking up fleas when you take them off the beaten path or while hiking. Fleas also prefer shade to sunlight, and will not typically dwell in areas with full sun. Additional common places fleas are found include tall woodpiles and shady shrubs. If fleas get inside, this is almost always due to a person or pet carrying them in.

How to Prevent and Treat Fleas in Your Lawn

If you want to ensure fleas don’t make themselves at home in your backyard, there are several things you can do to make your yard less hospitable to their activity.

1. Create a barrier. This can be through pesticides or clearing of brush around the outside. Wild animals are typically carriers for fleas. If you live in an area with wildlife, mending any holes in, or putting up a fence can help to prevent wildlife from coming in and infecting your lawn and pets.
2. Maintain your yard. Mow your lawn to the appropriate height so to not encourage fleas hiding. In addition to mowing, clearing debris regularly will take away their habitats and they’ll have to find other places to lay eggs.
3. Don’t overwater your lawn. If you already have fleas, you may need to flood your lawn to flush out the eggs and larvae. However, as a prevention technique, keeping your water usage low will prevent the moist soil environment that they love.
4. Add cedar. Cedar mulch has been known to repel fleas when placed around houses or lawns because they hate the smell! It’s also beneficial to place some in the spots where your pets typically hang out.
5. Use nematodes. Nematodes are tiny little worms that not only eat fleas but other pesky insects around your yard as well.

Need Flea & Lawn Control?

If you’ve been dealing with fleas, we know you’re probably frustrated. They are stubborn and come in masses. If you’ve done all you can to get rid of fleas and still have them in or outside your home, the lawn care and pest control experts at Heron Home & Outdoor can help! Contact our experts today to get started.