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This is crazy but, according to a report conducted by NBC News, Americans spent over $60 billion dollars on their pets in 2016.
So with all this money being spent on our pets....
What can you and I do to make sure that pets do not suffer from flea infestation?
One of the most important parts of preventing a flea infestation is to stop fleas from entering your lawn!
To learn how, we asked some of the best lawn care pros how they prevent flea infestations in their lawns.
Quick Tips to Fight Fleas in Your Yard:
- Mow Lawn Correctly: Keep grass at an ideal height.
- Use Cedar Mulch: Natural repellent for fleas.
- Apply Pet-Friendly Pesticides: First line of defense.
- Maintain Cleanliness: Eliminate flea habitats.
- Opt for Flea Treatment: Last resort but effective.
An Under the Skin Look at the Flea
Before we get into all of the great ways you can prevent flea infestations.
Let's start with what fleas really are, what they do, and where you need to eliminate them.
Fleas are very small wingless insects with a lateral flattened body and are around 1/8 inch long. They are usually golden or reddish-brown.
They tend to aggregate in areas around the house where pets spend most of their time and spread quickly to animals and humans feeding off their blood.
It gets worse, beyond causing irritation and severe discomfort for your best friend, they can also transmit deadly tapeworms and other diseases to pets.
Fortunately, there are many great methods you can use to keep them at bay.
What do lawn care pros recommend to prevent fleas in the lawn?
As loving pet owners, the GreenPal team set out to find professional lawn care professionals, who are also pet owners, to give us a few tips on how to get rid of and prevent flea infestation.
Who is ready to see some of the best tips to control fleas in the yard?
Why is it important to manage lawn height for flea control?
Tip #1 Mow your lawn correctly
Mike Cebulski of MJ Lawn in St. Louis, Missouri loves spending time with his Boston Terrier/Bassett Hound mix pooch named Hershey.
Mike recommends the following:
Mowing your lawn to the proper height and not letting it get too tall reduces flea and tick hangouts.
Fleas and other annoying insects hide in the longer grass.
On the other hand, by not mowing grass too short you can attract spiders and ants…. two major flea predators.
What to Do: Regularly mow your lawn to maintain it at an optimal height. This balance discourages fleas and encourages their predators, such as spiders and ants.
How can cedar mulch help in flea prevention?
Tip #2 Use cedar mulch
Mike also recommends that instead of using your standard wood mulch, to use cedar mulch.
It's true, cedar is a natural repellent for fleas and ticks. Mike recommends:
Spreading cedar mulch in areas where pets play or rest and along the yard's edges creates a natural barrier against fleas. This method not only repels unwanted insects but also adds to the aesthetic of your lawn.
It is also wise to spread cedar mulch around the edges of your yard to from another barrier.
What is the role of pesticides in flea control?
Tip #3 Treatment with Pesticide:
Andy Smith with 2nd Look Landscapes in Concord, NC loves fishing on Badin Lake and bringing along his lab and his beagle.
What he does at home to get rid of fleas is the following:
Use a pesticide treatment. Something like Bayer Advanced Completed Insect Killer that is pet friendly can be applied to areas of the lawn that your pet frequents.
This serves as your first line defense and will stop pests before they enter.
Why is cleanliness crucial for preventing flea infestations?
Tip #4 Keep It Clean
Tyler Rowlinson with Prime Lawn & Property, one of the premier landscaping companies in Murfreesboro, TN, says that keeping it neat is a must.
Fleas need habitats to hide and reproduce. By eliminating debris and clutter around your home, you reduce these habitats significantly. Ensuring your yard is free from piles of timber, leaves, and other debris can make a substantial difference in flea prevention.
Tyler suggests that:
Tidiness matters when it comes to eliminating habitats for fleas to hide and reproduce.
By not having debris surrounding your home, you can prevent fleas from making a home in your lawn.
You can limit places for fleas to live by removing things such as;
- Piles of timber,
- bricks,
- leaves,
- and stones.
Most people don't know this but leaving out items like pots and yard gnomes in the areas where you pets frequent, will also greatly increase your chances of flea infestation.
When should you consider flea treatment for pets?
Tip #5 Use Flea Treatment If All Else Falls
Despite best efforts, sometimes fleas find a way in. In such cases:
Visiting your vet for a flea treatment prescription, such as Frontline or Advantage II, is advisable. While not always the first choice, it's a crucial step in protecting your pet from fleas when environmental methods are insufficient.
Although it is not ideal, sometimes it may be the only choice to kick the fleas back.
TL;DR
Strategy | Expert Recommendation | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mow Lawn Correctly | Mike Cebulski, MJ Lawn | Mowing to the right height reduces flea habitats. Avoid cutting too short to prevent repelling flea predators like spiders and ants. |
| Use Cedar Mulch | Recommended by Experts | Cedar naturally repels fleas. Apply around pet areas and yard edges for a protective barrier. |
| Pesticide Treatment | Andy Smith, 2nd Look Landscapes | Use pet-friendly pesticides, such as Bayer Advanced Completed Insect Killer, on areas frequented by pets to stop pests before they enter. |
| Keep It Clean | Tyler Rowlinson, Prime Lawn & Property | Removing debris and clutter from your yard eliminates potential flea habitats. This includes timber, leaves, and even yard decorations. |
| Flea Treatments for Pets | Vet Recommended | In cases where prevention measures fall short, consult a vet for flea treatments like Frontline or Advantage II. This can be an effective last resort against infestations. |
The Bottom Line on Preventing Flea Infestations
It’s true, preventing a flea infestation in your lawn often requires a multi-faceted approach. And in many places it's a battle that continues year after year.
Fortunately, being proactive about your dog's health will ensure that you have one healthy puppy and keeps enriching your life.
If you want to read more, check out these tips on controlling insects in the vegetable garden.
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