To re-cap, "de-fleaing" the pet is an essential step in ridding a home of fleas. However, pet owners must also treat the pet's environment, the home.Having your pet dipped will not, in itself, eliminate fleas in an infested home.

In cases where pets spend most of their time outdoors, it may also be necessary to treat the yard. One way to determine if the yard is infested is to walk around the property wearing white athletic socks, pulled to the knee. If fleas are present, they will be seen against the white background of the socks.

Outdoor flea treatment should focus on areas where pets rest, sleep, and run, such as doghouse and kennel areas, under decks, along fences and next to the foundation. It is seldom necessary to treat the entire yard or open areas exposed to full sun. Insecticide formulations containing chlorpyrifos or permethrin are somewhat effective for outdoor flea treatment. These can be applied with a hose-end or pump-up sprayer. Long term suppression of fleas infesting kennels or outdoor areas can be enhanced with formulations containing an IGR such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen.

Fleas can be successfully controlled by diligently following the steps outlined above. Homeowners who lack the time to control fleas themselves or who are uncomfortable applying pesticides may wish to enlist the services of a professional pest control firm.

Some will tell you to treat your yard also. This may not be possible for some due to the size of their yard. If you live in a home with a relatively small yard and this is the only area your pet frequents, it would be advisable to take precautions on your lawn. Spreading insecticides and mowing frequently should help keep the pests at bay. Those who live in more rural areas with a large lawn will less likely be able to take advantage of this tactic.

As you can see, fleas are a lot tougher than they appear to the naked eye. Just remember to be diligent and patient. Most treatments to your home will take about three weeks to take a noticeable effect. It is much better to stop them before they get in. Once you have gotten them out of your home you must still remain watchful and keep up preventative measures. Without monitoring, fleas can take a serious hold on your home in the blink of an eye.        


Green Ways to Rid Your Yard of Fleas

Don't over water your yard or lawn. If your dog spends a lot of time outside, you can bet there are fleas hanging around. Don't over water your lawn because fleas thrive in dark and moist places. You want to avoid any standing water in your lawn which is good for the planet as well because over watering your lawn is a HUGE waste of water.

Use nematodes. But one tool in my green flea fighting arsenal that I've grown ever so fond of are nemotodes. They work to rid your yard of fleas. Using poisons in the yard isn't good for you or your pets. Instead try nematodes, little worms that totally naturally eat the fleas. Beneficial Nematodes (tiny worms), will kill your fleas as well as other undesirable pests in your yard. Steinernema carpocapsae nemotodes are microscopic non-segmented worms. Not only do these nematodes attack fleas, but also cutworms, sod webworms, and termites.


Try cedar chips. Try using cedar chips for protection outside. Fleas are repulsed by cedar chips because they hate the smell and will do their very best to avoid it. Go to the garden store and get two large 0.5 cubic ft bags of cedar chips and sprinkle it throughout the areas where the dogs will be. If you mow, do it before the first mowing, this way the chips are cut into a finer powder that works well.

For more great tips of this topic, check more in the links below:


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