Flea and Tick Control

Perhaps you treat your dog and cat for fleas and ticks but what about your lawn?  Your lawn can be home to significant numbers of fleas and ticks.  When your pets are out on your lawn they may not always be bitten by these pests but they can track them into your home so it is important to treat and control these pests. Fleas Fleas like warm, humid weather and can lay up to 50 eggs each day. One of the first signs your pet has fleas is "flea dirt" - black flea droppings left on your pet's coat. This is a sign you should be treating your lawn and your pet for fleas.  Check with your vet for the best flea protection for your pets. Ticks Ticks are capable of spreading infectious diseases like Lyme disease, so prompt removal of ticks from your pet is important. With the increase in ticks and Lyme disease it is more important than ever to treat your yard and lawn especially if it borders forested areas. Flea and Tick Control Tips Mowing and Pruning Look around your yard. Fleas love to congregate in places where they are protected from bright sunlight and that have  higher humidity. This includes your dog’s house, sleeping and feeding areas, and underneath lawn structures. Ticks, on the other hand, like tall grasses and branches, where they can climb up to grab onto a passing animal or human. A cheap, easy way to reduce flea and tick populations in your yard is to trim grass, trees and shrubs. Clean up all debris piles and leaves that lay on the ground. Sweep off patios, under decks, and lawn furniture. Remove or secure all garbage bins that may attract rodents, or small animals that could be carrying fleas and ticks. Chemicals Unless you have a major infestation, maintaining your yard the yard and keeping it debris-free should help break the flea and tick life cycle. Natural Solutions You may want to consider using beneficial nematodes in the yard. These are microscopic worms found naturally in the dirt. You apply nematodes with a sprayer or spreader. These types of worms are not parasitic to mammals and do not affect humans, pets or plants. Nematodes actively seek out insects, such as fleas, and insert themselves into the immature insect’s body. The nematodes then send out a toxin that kills the fleas quickly. The nematodes reproduce in the yard where they have been released, and their effects last for several months. Another option is to spread an abrading agent, such as diatomaceous earth, on the lawn. This agent is made from the ground-up bodies of microscopic fossils; it works by drying out the bodies of adult fleas, killing them. Look for a natural grade of diatomaceous earth in your garden or pet store. Diatomaceous earth works best when conditions are dry, so if you live in a very humid, rainy part of the country, where this product can be washed off or broken down by moisture, this may not be the best solution for your outdoor spaces. If you have pets and a bad flea or tick infestation, it is best to check with your vet and call us so we can provide the best interior and exterior natural flea and tick treatments that are safe for your pets and for you. Call us at 561-248-4546.