Fleas infest not just your pets, they can also thrive on the ground.

Prevention is the first step…

Your lawn can be tempting for fleas and ticks, particularly if it is somewhat overgrown. Try following these easy tips to ensure that your backyard stays free of pests:

• Keep grass well-trimmed: While fleas and ticks like to lurk within the grass, direct sunlight will make the soil and grass too hot for them to survive. Mow the lawn frequently to maximize sun exposure.

• Water Abundantly: Flooding areas with a flea population can be another strategy, since it drowns and destroys flea larvae.

• Organic Matter: Compost, piles of leaves, and other organic matter are a  prime breeding ground and home for fleas and ticks. Avoid having organic matter where your family or pets walk and play, not that we’d want to deter you from composting altogether!

• Separate play areas: Your deck, playground equipment like slides, and the grassy areas you and your pets walk on, should be kept separate from complete nature with a barrier of wood chips or gravel. Some sources suggest keeping this barrier a minimum 1 metre.

How to Eliminate Fleas in Your Yard

There are two options…

• Chemical Remedies:
  To remove fleas and ticks from the yard, you can use spray treatment.  They are generally safe for people and pets and will inhibit the flea’s life cycle and prevent further offspring. Be cautious about applying these near a water source, and note that these chemicals are harmful to fish (so not recommended for around Fish Ponds) Suggested products include – Cro Pro Zues, Nucidol, Hydrated Lime can also be sprinkled on Dirt Patches and Under buildings (where plant growth does not occur).

NOTE – Chemical sprays work best when the soil is not Hydrophoic, as these work best when the chemical is allowed to go subsurface.

• Diatomaceous Earth:
  While hazardous to ingest or breath in, this natural product can be used as an insecticide without harm to humans or pets. Apply food grade Diatomaceous Earth on dry days to areas of the garden where you have spotted fleas and ticks. Wear gloves while sprinkling it around to avoid irritating your skin. When fleas, ticks, or insects encounter or ingest Diatomaceous Earth, it dehydrates and shreds their bodies, eventually destroying them completely.

Special Note: It is recommended to always wear recommended PPE gear (including gloves and masks) when applying pesticides and dust prone powders.

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