How To Keep Fleas Out Of Your Yard, According To Experts

Fleas are a year-round problem in the South, both indoors and out. “They’re carried into your yard by wildlife such as squirrels, raccoons, opossums, mice, and deer,” says Eric Benson, PhD, professor emeritus and extension entomologist with Clemson University. “Because you can’t control what’s wandering through, fleas are constantly reintroduced to your yard.”

Understanding Fleas

There are more than 300 species of fleas in the U.S., but the one that’s the biggest problem is the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), which affects both cats and dogs. In fact, one study showed that more than 130 species of wildlife harbored cat fleas. The dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis) is much less common or problematic in the U.S..  Both types are wingless, black-brown to reddish-brown, and about 1/8-inch long.

While you already know flea bites can make your pet miserable, some pets also suffer from flea allergy dermatitis, which results in intense itching and hot spots that cause them to be more vulnerable to infections. You’re fair game, too: “Although fleas prefer animals, they’ll bite people if no other host is available,” says Wizzie Brown, extension program specialist at Texas A&M Agrilife.  “Some people actually have intense reactions with red, itchy bumps.”

Fleas also can transmit typhus, and the rare case of plague, to people. Fleaborne parasites such as tapeworm also can spread to people, if they accidentally ingest an infected flea; young kids, who spend time on the floor where fleas may be found indoors, are at higher risk, says Benson.

While it’s impossible to eradicate fleas from your yard, here’s what to do to protect your family and pets:

How To Control Fleas in Your Yard

While you can’t eliminate fleas from your yard, these tips will make your garden less welcoming, say Benson and Brown:

• Don’t feed the wildlife, and don’t leave out pet food bowls overnight because you’ll attract wildlife such as skunks, raccoons, and opossums, which all carry fleas.
• Locate bird feeders far away from the house and away from areas where your pets hang out; spilled seed attracts rodents, which also have fleas.
• Block off crawlspaces so wildlife, such as opossums, cannot den under your home.
• Remove brush and firewood piles that provide shelter to animals.
• Treat only if you have a problem. It’s not necessary or recommended to pre-emptively treat for fleas in your yard because you’ll kill beneficial insects and waste product, says Benson.
• Apply an insecticide that is labeled for fleas only to areas where you have seen wildlife. Use a game cam if you’re not sure what’s venturing through your property, then treat accordingly. “Fleas are not found uniformly distributed in your yard, but rather in pockets where animals pass through or rest,” says Benson. Follow the product instructions exactly.
• Spray shaded areas because fleas typically are not found in hot, dry, sunny spots of your yard. Also, target areas where your own pet rests, such as under the deck.
• Follow up with a second treatment about 10 days later to deal with any emerging adults.
• Forget about using essential oils, specific plants such as lavender or lemongrass, or sonic devices as flea repellents. There is no science that these methods work, say Benson and Brown.
• If you’ve treated areas twice and still have issues, you may need to hire a pest control professional. A professional may be able to sleuth out hiding places you didn’t anticipate, both indoors and out, says Benson.

Can Fleas Infest Indoor Areas From the Yard?

Absolutely! Here’s how fleas end up indoors: Adult fleas hang out in leaf litter outside and look for a host. Attuned to changes in temperature, carbon dioxide, and vibrations, fleas will launch themselves into the air when they sense the presence of a warm-blooded animal, says Benson. They use long spines on their back legs to catch onto an animal’s fur, then burrow down and start feeding.   

If your cat or dog is outdoors and unprotected, fleas hitch a ride and come indoors with them. Fleas feed off the animal, then the female lays eggs in the fur. Ultimately, the tiny white eggs, which you won’t notice, roll off the host and land on the floor, such as when the animal lies down, says Brown.

Depending on temperature, the eggs hatch within one to 10 days, becoming teeny, wormlike larvae that feed on desiccated blood that the adult fleas have fed on and pooped out. Next, the larvae spin a cocoon, incorporating things like carpet fibers and other floor debris. This cocoon is super-protective, and the fleas stay safe and snug inside for up to four months, says Benson.

Adult fleas emerge from the cocoons when they sense the presence of warm-blooded animals, waiting for a host they can feed on. The flea’s ability to hunker down in the cocoon so long is why you need to utilize an integrated control program and re-treat areas after 10 days, says Benson.

Why Do I Have Fleas If I Don’t Have Pets?

You may have a wildlife nest, such as a squirrel or mouse, somewhere inside a wall. It also could be that the animal has died, so now the fleas are looking for new hosts. Or you may have moved into a house in which the previous owners had pets with fleas. Once the people and pets left, and you moved in, adult fleas sensed the presence of a brand new host and emerged from their cocoons, says Benson. Essentially, your arrival just rang the dinner bell!

Signs of Flea Infestation in the Yard

If you suspect you have a flea problem—indoors or out—put on some white tube socks and shuffle around the carpet or grass. You may feel silly but it’s effective! You will disturb the fleas and be able to see them hop onto your socks, says Brown.

Indoors, you can use a lighted insect sticky trap. It won’t eliminate fleas, but it is a way to monitor and tell if you have an infestation, says Benson.How to Protect Your Pet From Fleas

How To Protect Your Pet From Fleas

If you have pets, make sure your cat or dog is on a preventive treatment year-round. “Fleas never go away in the Southeast,” says Brown. Consult your vet about the best option, but there are many effective treatments including topicals, collars, and chewables, which work well for active dogs who like to swim because some topicals can lose effectiveness if your pet gets wet frequently.

Check your pet periodically for fleas, too, by using a flea comb through their fur, paying special attention to areas your pet can’t reach, says Brown. If you see black specks, or flea dirt, which is digested blood, you’ll need to treat your pets for fleas.