![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_1024px-flea.jpg\")
Fleas are parasites that live off of the blood of warm-blooded hosts like dogs, cats, and humans. They\u2019re usually less than \u215b of an inch, but they can cause a lot of damage. They\u2019re wingless and their heads are surrounded by sharp spikes.<\/p>
Although there are different types of fleas, cat fleas are almost always what homeowners are dealing with. In spite of their name, cat fleas go after all kinds of mammals.<\/p>
What attracts fleas to your yard in the first place?<\/h2> - Moisture:<\/strong> watch for places where water pools.<\/li>
- Shade:<\/strong> under trees, brush, and beneath furniture are prime breeding grounds for fleas.<\/li>
- Hidden areas:<\/strong> fleas will go where they won\u2019t be disturbed, like within tall grass.<\/li>
- Wild animals:<\/strong> rodents, raccoons, and other stray animals are often flea carriers.<\/li>
- Warm weather: <\/strong>fleas are a risk year-round, but they\u2019re most active during warmer months, starting as early as March depending on your climate.<\/li> <\/ul>
How do you know you have a flea infestation?<\/h2>
Aside from itchy bites, what should you look for to know if you have a flea problem? Brown or reddish \u201cflea dirt<\/a>\u201d is a telltale sign. So are patches of hair loss on your pet\u2019s coat. To check your yard, walk through your grass wearing tall white socks. If you have fleas, you\u2019ll be able to see them against the white fabric.<\/p> Why you need to get rid of fleas<\/h2>
It might seem like a few bites isn\u2019t anything to worry about, but fleas tend to have big families. Just one female flea is able to produce 800 eggs<\/a> in her lifetime. <\/p> Itching isn\u2019t just an annoyance either. Fleas can harm your beloved pets <\/strong>in a few ways:<\/p> - Constant scratching can cause skin irritation and hair loss\u00a0<\/li>
- Fleas are known to carry tapeworms\u00a0<\/li>
- Fleas can make your pet susceptible to allergies and bacterial disease\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>
For humans, they can worsen respiratory illnesses and itching can lead to infection. Convinced yet? Getting rid of fleas can feel like a neverending nightmare, but there\u2019s light at the end of the tunnel.<\/p>
Natural treatments for fleas<\/h2>
If you hear \u201cflea treatment\u201d and get a whiff of harsh chemicals, don\u2019t worry. There are natural alternatives that can \u2014 with a little work and close monitoring \u2014 be just as effective as pesticides.<\/p>
Chemical treatments can cause further irritation to pets and little ones and can be dangerous in the hands of the average homeowner. Not to mention, spraying your lawn with chemicals causes runoff that can get into our water and harm plants and animals. <\/p>
We\u2019ll explore three different alternatives:<\/p>
- Nematodes<\/li>
- Proper lawn care<\/li>
- Diatomaceous earth<\/li> <\/ul>
Nematodes<\/h3> ![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_200926410_f5ba8779c3_c.jpg\")
snickclunk | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The most straightforward way to get rid of fleas naturally is to add a predator. While adding more parasites to a parasite problem might sound counterintuitive, beneficial nematodes are totally safe<\/a> and only have eyes for fleas. The \u201cbeneficial\u201d name refers to nematodes that won\u2019t hurt the vegetation in your landscape. <\/p> What are nematodes?<\/strong><\/p> Nematodes are microscopic worms that attack flea larvae, pupae, and even adult fleas. They don\u2019t attach to mammals, so pets and humans are completely safe. They die off after they run through their host population (fleas), which means no cleanup for you.<\/p>
How to use nematodes:<\/strong><\/p> A single package of nematodes contains about 10 million of them (wow!) which covers an area between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet. Remember, they\u2019re living creatures so it\u2019s best to use them as soon as possible. You can buy nematodes at garden centers, online, or in big box stores. They cost $30-$50.<\/p>
- Put your nematodes in the fridge unless you plan to use them immediately.<\/li>
- They arrive in a powdery solution you\u2019ll need to mix with water.\u00a0<\/li>
- Water your lawn<\/a> lightly beforehand, but don\u2019t soak it. If the soil is too saturated, the nematodes will wash away.<\/li>
- Apply them using a watering can or a sprayer that connects with your hose, focusing application around shady areas of your yard.<\/li>
- Water the area every three days or so for up to two weeks to make sure the nematodes don\u2019t die.\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>
Nematodes will go to work right away, and you should see a reduction in the flea population within 24 hours. <\/p>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>The \u201cSteinernema Carpocapsae\u201d nematode is the best offense against fleas. If you have better things to do than memorize Latin names, check the package to see what kinds of insects those nematodes target. <\/p> Proper lawn care<\/h3> ![\"robotic](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_lawn-mower-414249_1280.jpg\")
Niek Verlaan | Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> A healthy lawn means fewer pests in general. Not only will you get a lush yard, you\u2019ll also eliminate the environmental conditions that invite fleas. <\/p>
Although lawn care can\u2019t eliminate fleas on its own, it makes treatment more effective by ensuring the application isn\u2019t blocked by debris and discouraging fleas from returning after you kill the adult ones. <\/p>
Mowing matters<\/strong><\/p> Why? As we mentioned, tall grass is just the type of hiding spot fleas love. Short grass, on the other hand, discourages helpful predators like spiders from taking up residence. You may not like the eight-legged friends, but they\u2019re great at eating fleas.<\/p>
To determine the best mowing routine, first, you need to know what kind of grass you have. Common cool-season grasses include Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall and fine fescue. Common warm-season grasses include St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, and bermudagrass.<\/p>
A good rule of thumb is to mow slightly lower during late fall for cool-season turfgrasses and late spring for warm-season grasses. Find your turfgrass below and adjust your mowing accordingly.<\/p>
How do you know you have a flea infestation?<\/h2>
Aside from itchy bites, what should you look for to know if you have a flea problem? Brown or reddish \u201cflea dirt<\/a>\u201d is a telltale sign. So are patches of hair loss on your pet\u2019s coat. To check your yard, walk through your grass wearing tall white socks. If you have fleas, you\u2019ll be able to see them against the white fabric.<\/p> It might seem like a few bites isn\u2019t anything to worry about, but fleas tend to have big families. Just one female flea is able to produce 800 eggs<\/a> in her lifetime. <\/p> Itching isn\u2019t just an annoyance either. Fleas can harm your beloved pets <\/strong>in a few ways:<\/p> For humans, they can worsen respiratory illnesses and itching can lead to infection. Convinced yet? Getting rid of fleas can feel like a neverending nightmare, but there\u2019s light at the end of the tunnel.<\/p> If you hear \u201cflea treatment\u201d and get a whiff of harsh chemicals, don\u2019t worry. There are natural alternatives that can \u2014 with a little work and close monitoring \u2014 be just as effective as pesticides.<\/p> Chemical treatments can cause further irritation to pets and little ones and can be dangerous in the hands of the average homeowner. Not to mention, spraying your lawn with chemicals causes runoff that can get into our water and harm plants and animals. <\/p> We\u2019ll explore three different alternatives:<\/p> The most straightforward way to get rid of fleas naturally is to add a predator. While adding more parasites to a parasite problem might sound counterintuitive, beneficial nematodes are totally safe<\/a> and only have eyes for fleas. The \u201cbeneficial\u201d name refers to nematodes that won\u2019t hurt the vegetation in your landscape. <\/p> What are nematodes?<\/strong><\/p> Nematodes are microscopic worms that attack flea larvae, pupae, and even adult fleas. They don\u2019t attach to mammals, so pets and humans are completely safe. They die off after they run through their host population (fleas), which means no cleanup for you.<\/p> How to use nematodes:<\/strong><\/p> A single package of nematodes contains about 10 million of them (wow!) which covers an area between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet. Remember, they\u2019re living creatures so it\u2019s best to use them as soon as possible. You can buy nematodes at garden centers, online, or in big box stores. They cost $30-$50.<\/p> Nematodes will go to work right away, and you should see a reduction in the flea population within 24 hours. <\/p> Pro Tip: <\/strong>The \u201cSteinernema Carpocapsae\u201d nematode is the best offense against fleas. If you have better things to do than memorize Latin names, check the package to see what kinds of insects those nematodes target. <\/p> A healthy lawn means fewer pests in general. Not only will you get a lush yard, you\u2019ll also eliminate the environmental conditions that invite fleas. <\/p> Although lawn care can\u2019t eliminate fleas on its own, it makes treatment more effective by ensuring the application isn\u2019t blocked by debris and discouraging fleas from returning after you kill the adult ones. <\/p> Mowing matters<\/strong><\/p> Why? As we mentioned, tall grass is just the type of hiding spot fleas love. Short grass, on the other hand, discourages helpful predators like spiders from taking up residence. You may not like the eight-legged friends, but they\u2019re great at eating fleas.<\/p> To determine the best mowing routine, first, you need to know what kind of grass you have. Common cool-season grasses include Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall and fine fescue. Common warm-season grasses include St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, and bermudagrass.<\/p> A good rule of thumb is to mow slightly lower during late fall for cool-season turfgrasses and late spring for warm-season grasses. Find your turfgrass below and adjust your mowing accordingly.<\/p> Why you need to get rid of fleas<\/h2>
Natural treatments for fleas<\/h2>
Nematodes<\/h3>
Proper lawn care<\/h3>
![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration.jpg\")
![\"pile](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_diatomaceous_earth.jpg\")