Fleas seem to be one of the most common problems that each and every house owner fights against at some point. Throughout the world, fleas are well known for being a tenacious kind of insect, and it can be very challenging to get rid of them. Many people only treat the fleas that live on their pets and that are in the bedding, carpets or curtains in their home. However, this will not bring long-lasting effects or get rid of them all.
So, where do fleas live outside? Do fleas live in grass?
People are often unaware that large numbers of fleas live in the garden, under dead leaves and in long grass (grass fleas). This is why it’s important, after treating your pets and inside your home, to also make sure you eliminate these pests from your garden.
Some Information About Fleas
It is estimated that various different species of fleas occur worldwide, and they can live almost anywhere. Fleas are very small jumping insects without wings. They bite animals and humans and suck their blood for food. If you are raising a puppy or a kitten and you often walk your pet around the garden, you are highly likely to be infested by fleas, who jump from the vegetation and the sand onto your clothes or pets. When you see your pets scratching incessantly, it’s time to check your house and garden thoroughly.
Flea bites can cause a lot of discomfort for both yourself and your pets because they make the host’s skin swollen, itchy and painful. More seriously, fleas can transmit diseases, such as murine typhus, mycoplasma haemofelis, and tapeworms.
One of the reasons why getting rid of all fleas is virtually impossible is that they reproduce dramatically. On average, one single flea can produce up to 1,000 fleas on your pets in only 21 days. What experts in multiplication! With this amazing speed of reproduction, if you don’t take measures immediately, you will have a big problem on your hands. The most important thing is to know where they live and breed outdoors.
Related: Does Neem Oil Control Ticks?
Where Do Fleas Live In Your Garden?
At any given time, fleas do not like to be out in the open. If the temperature is intensely hot and the sun gets to them, they will seek out shady areas such as under shrubs and leaves, in sand and in damp woodpiles. They dislike sunny well-lit areas, so any place which is moist, shady and cool will be their preference.
Getting Rid Of Fleas Outside
Here’s how to get rid of fleas in backyards.
- The first places to treat for fleas are the areas where your pets hang out. The shrubs that the dog likes to lie under, the sandy area that the cat rolls in, and places outside where your pets play. You may need to purchase a chemical spray or powder like food grade Diatomaceous earth for the area.
- Fleas like fallen leaves and organic debris left lying around in the garden. Make sure that your garden is always kept free from leaves or debris by raking it all up and disposing of it or making it into compost. Trim the lower branches of your trees to allow more sunlight through, and clean up under shrubs and bushy areas. Clear along fences and walls too. Eradicate weeds and mow the lawn regularly. If your lawn is long, your chance of being bitten by fleas is higher whenever you or your animal do your favorite activities outside.
- At the same time as treating your garden, begin measures to treat your pets with flea shampoos and other methods obtainable from your vat. Wash all the pets’ bedding as well.
- Thoroughly spray your garden with diatomaceous earth, which is a natural flea killer. Clean up your garden thoroughly before applying this product for the best effect, and wear protective gear during spraying. There is plenty of information online about diatomaceous earth if you require more.
- Last, but not least, one environmentally-friendly method for expelling fleas from your garden is to plant fleas repellent plants. Peppermint is one, and it has a pleasant odour for human beings, but fleas find it offensive. In addition to peppermint, you can also plant spearmint, lavender or rosemary. These are all safe for humans and pets, but disagreeable for fleas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting rid of fleas in your garden is quite a demanding task, but once the main cleaning up work has been done, it is simply a matter of maintaining things after that. Although they are little creatures, fleas can cause severe problems, so your efforts will definitely be worth it. Hopefully these tips will provide a useful guide for you as you keep your home and garden fleas free.