Having a lively, thriving North Texas yard is no accident—it’s the result of sweat equity (especially in the summertime!)—and knowledge of the right lawn care services to employ. Homeowners want to relax and showcase the best yard possible. To do that, families can work to prevent damage, especially when it’s made by fleas or lawn-damaging insects.
Proper Turf Insect Control Keeps Fleas Away From Pets
Most of the time, we associate fleas with being on our pets. This makes sense, since fleas need blood to survive. But where do pets pick up the fleas? That’s right—they usually come from your yard, where they can live for a surprisingly long time until they find an appropriate home. So what do you do? How do you control the pests in your yard?
DIY Tips for Eliminating Fleas & Lawn-Damaging Insects
It’s possible to protect your furry family members and keep your lawn safe from destructive lawn insects and fleas. Most home improvement stores carry turf pest control products. And remember to grab any protective gear mentioned in the directions if you don’t have it at home.
Wear long white socks pulled up as high as possible. Go into your backyard and linger in the same areas where your dog hangs out. If fleas are present, when they detect you as a meal source they will likely be easily visible on the socks. Fleas like shady areas, too. They could be hanging out under your deck, but also investigate around your lawn furniture and trees. After you treat your pet, begin treating your yard. First mow the grass, clean out the leaves, mounds of rocks and stacks of wood, all of which are common areas for fleas to hide. Keep your pet away from the area during treatment and remove any toys (for children and pets!) that might have been left outside.
Insecticides are effective treatments for outdoor fleas, but you must follow directions carefully, and that includes taking all the appropriate safety precautions. If you are doing it yourself, make sure you wear a mask and protect your eyes. Treat your pet’s most common “hang-out” areas first. If you have a large yard, spraying the entire area might not be necessary. Once you have taken care of the yard, use the water hose to hose down your garden and any other areas where you found adult fleas to help eliminate flea larvae. If the adults left offspring, they won’t survive when flooded with water. Also, you may want to hire a professional to handle this entire process for you.
Environmentally-Friendly, Biologic Lawn Flea Treatments
If you prefer a more natural method, obtain some nematodes. These are microscopic worms harmless to humans, pets and plants. Nematodes are typically available in spray form. And cedarwood chips are another option, as fleas detest the smell of the chips. Placing them around your fence can keep your fleas from invading from a neighbor’s lawn. You can mow over these chips, and the resulting powder is still an effective deterrent to the parasites.
How to Prevent Flea Infestations
Luckily, preventing flea infestations after your chosen remediation method is part of a consistent, targeted lawn maintenance regimen. If you handle lawn care yourself, incorporate the following into your routine.
- Keep your lawn dry. Fleas thrive in moist areas.
- Use cedar chips—they can serve as both decoration and a deterrent for fleas.
- Consider planting pennyroyal – like cedar chips, fleas detest its minty scent. But be careful, as pennyroyal is poisonous to cats, and exposure to pregnant animals is not recommended.
- Prune, trim and mow. Keeping your yard properly maintained eliminates the flea-friendly, moist shady environment.
Call Tarrant County’s Proven Lawn Insect Remediation Experts
Maintaining a healthy, lush pest-free lawn is all in a day’s work for the professionals at Green Top Lawn Care. We work hard providing services to keep fleas and lawn-damaging insects out of North Texas yards. Call us at 817-684-4044 or request a free turf insect control quote today.
