Heres how to control the flea population in your yard.
Fleas are a year-round problem in the South, both indoors and out.
Because you cant control whats wandering through, fleas are constantly reintroduced to your yard.
Credit: Sandra Dombrovsky / EyeEm / Getty Images
Both types are wingless, black-brown to reddish-brown, and about 1/8 inch long.
Some people actually have intense reactions with red, itchy bumps.
You may feel silly but its effective.
Credit:Getty Images / George D. Lepp
You will disturb the fleas and be able to see them hop onto your socks, says Brown.
Indoors, you’re able to use a lighted stickyinsect trap.
Eliminate Shelter
Get rid of possible areas near the home where animals may shelter.
Block off crawlspaces so wildlife, such as opossums, cannot den under your home.
Remove brush, leaf, and firewood piles that provide shelter to animals and attract fleas.
Mow the lawn regularly to get rid of tall grass where fleas can hide.
Treat Problem Areas
Treat only if you have a problem.
Forget about usingessential 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.
Getty Images / George D. Lepp
Can Fleas From The Yard Infest Indoor Areas?
Fleas can infest indoor areas.
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.
Next, the larvae spin a cocoon, incorporating things like carpet fibers and otherfloor debris.
Why Do I Have Fleas If I Dont 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.
Essentially, your arrival just rang the dinner bell.
Fleas never go away in the Southeast, says Brown.
They are also attracted to warmth, moisture, and shade.
Control a flea infestation with daily vacuuming to get rid of adult fleas, eggs, and larvae.
double-check to also vacuum upholstered furniture and along baseboards.
Washing bedding and steam cleaning carpets can also get rid of fleas.
Centers for Disease Control.Fleas.
infestation in wild mammals.
January 8, 2018.
Merck Veterinary Manual.Flea Allergy Dermatitis in Dogs and Cats.
Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.Flea Control.
