So, you got rid of the fleas on your pets and inside your house. Are you safe now? Sadly, this might not be the case. It is very possible that you still haven’t treated the true root of the problem. Treating the yard for flea infestations is one of the most important steps to prevent any future concerns.
Of course, this task won’t be an easy one. However, addressing the issue is crucial, particularly if your beloved pets spend time outdoors. The fleas are probably hidden somewhere in your yard or your garden furniture if you have them. To get rid of and control fleas outdoors, you can follow several simple steps to solve the issue.
Before You Get Started
Before getting rid of fleas in the yard, there are some tips you have to keep in mind. When dealing with a flea infestation, it means that you are fighting four different stages of the flea life cycle simultaneously.
If the extermination method you use misses just one of the stages, the insects will still thrive and spread. In case you don’t know it yet, adult fleas make up less than 10 percent of the entire flea infestation. The remaining 50 percent is composed of flea eggs while flea larvae and pupa consist of the final 40 percent.
These tiny bloodsuckers love warm and moist areas away from direct sunlight. It helps to note where your pets often spend most of the time outdoors. Fleas will typically be in these areas as well. Pay extra attention to trees, doghouses, fences, and garden areas.
It is possible that you will find eggs and larvae in different spots around your yard. This makes it essential to treat each area with care, as this is the most effective means to kill the fleas in your yard permanently.
Make sure you also treat your pets while treating your yard. Failure to do so may lead to your pets re-infesting your yard and the other way around.
A Flooded Yard Can Help
Larvae and eggs of fleas can never survive in a flooded lawn. This is why the easiest and simplest means to put an end to the vicious cycle of a flea’s life is flood the whole yard every so often. Aside from killing the pesky insects, the water also washes away the feces of the adults that act as food for the larvae. This reduces their chances of survival.
It might not be necessary during rainy weather because you can trust Mother Nature to do the job. However, if your place has a mostly sunny and dry season, you have to remove debris, cut the grass, and flood your yard often to prevent fleas from breeding and get rid of them for good.
Make sure the whole yard is flooded, specifically around fences, trees, the dog house, and garden furniture. All grass in your yard must be slightly flooded to cover every egg and larvae with water.
Treat the Yard with Insecticides
It is important to follow the instructions and safety warnings on the package of the pest control product if you plan to use pesticide to kill off outdoor fleas. Many flea pesticides are in the form of tank pumps or hose sprayers. You can enlist the services of an expert to perform the treatments. Don’t forget to cover up yourself if you go for DIY. Wear protective clothing, gloves, and a dust mask.
Before you spray, remove all toys, and keep pets and children off treated areas until these are dry or until the instructions tell you that it is safe. Many insecticide applications require a repeat 2 to 3 weeks after the first use.
Predators as Natural Flea Treatment
Getting rid of larvae can be notoriously difficult. What if there is a way to keep your yard flea free without too much effort on your part? This is where beneficial nematodes can help. These microscopic worms can do something worse to fleas than what fleas can do to you.
Basically, the parasitic worms enter the prey, infecting them with toxic bacteria that can kill them in a matter of 24 to 48 hours. Ticks and fleas are their favourite preys. The killers hunt down then kill the fleas in larval, pupae, and pre-adult stages of growth that make up 95% of the entire flea population.
The best thing about nematodes is that these are completely non-toxic to non-fleas, making them a natural way for killing the annoying insects before they get adult enough to take a bite of you or your furry friends.
Just place these nematodes on the identified habitats of fleas, preferably away from direct sunlight because they also hate the sun.
