How to Keep Fleas Out of Your Yard

How to Keep Fleas Out of Your Yard

Keeping fleas out of your yard requires more than treating fleas after they appear. Fleas can be carried onto your property by pets, rodents and wildlife, then become established in shaded, moist and protected areas where animals spend time.

A combination of regular yard maintenance, pet protection, wildlife management and appropriate outdoor treatment can help make your property less favorable for fleas.

Why Do Fleas Keep Coming Into Your Yard?

Fleas usually don't travel long distances across open areas on their own. They're commonly transported into yards on animal hosts.

These can include:

• Dogs and cats

• Squirrels

• Rabbits

• Raccoons

• Opossums

• Rodents

• Other wildlife

If these animals regularly travel through or rest on your property, fleas may continue to be introduced even after you've treated the yard.

Keep Your Grass Mowed

Regular mowing helps reduce some of the protected habitat fleas prefer.

Pay particular attention to:

• Shaded lawn areas

• Around trees

• Along fences

• Around shrubs

• Pet play areas

• Yard edges

Fleas generally prefer protected areas over hot, dry sections exposed to direct sunlight.

Remove Leaves and Yard Debris

Leaf litter and other organic debris can retain moisture and provide protected areas for fleas and the animals that carry them.

Regularly remove:

• Fallen leaves

• Excess grass clippings

• Yard debris

• Unnecessary organic material

• Debris underneath decks

• Accumulated material around shrubs

Keeping shaded portions of the yard clean can be particularly helpful.

Trim Shrubs and Landscaping

Dense vegetation can create cool, shaded areas where fleas may survive.

Keep:

• Shrubs trimmed

• Bushes maintained

• Groundcover under control

• Vegetation away from heavily used areas

• Fence lines maintained

Improving airflow and allowing more sunlight into heavily shaded areas can make some locations less favorable for fleas.

Keep Pet Areas Clean

If your dog or cat spends time outdoors, regularly clean the areas where they rest and play.

Pay attention to:

• Outdoor kennels

• Pet beds

• Shaded resting areas

• Dog runs

• Areas around doors

• Favorite spots underneath trees or shrubs

These locations may experience more flea activity because hosts are regularly present.

Protect Your Pets From Fleas

Pets can pick up fleas outside the yard and bring them back onto your property or into your home.

Speak with your veterinarian about appropriate flea prevention for your pets.

A complete flea-control strategy may need to address:

1. The pet

2. The indoor environment

3. The outdoor environment

Treating only one of these areas can allow the flea cycle to continue.

Reduce Wildlife Activity

Wildlife can continually reintroduce fleas into your yard.

Look for areas that may attract or shelter:

• Rodents

• Rabbits

• Raccoons

• Opossums

• Squirrels

• Other animals

Reduce unnecessary:

• Yard clutter

• Dense brush

• Debris underneath decks

• Accessible food sources

• Shelter areas

Never attempt to handle wild animals directly.

Pay Attention to Shaded Areas

Some of the most important flea areas may not be in the center of your lawn.

Inspect:

• Under decks

• Under porches

• Beneath trees

• Behind shrubs

• Along fences

• Around sheds

• Under outdoor furniture

• Other shaded locations

These areas can retain more moisture and provide protection from direct sunlight.

Treat Appropriate Outdoor Areas

Natural Armor Flea, Tick & Mosquito Shield can be incorporated into your outdoor flea-control routine according to the product label directions.

Focus appropriate treatment on areas where fleas are likely to live or where animal hosts regularly spend time.

Depending on the approved uses on the label, these may include appropriate areas around:

• Lawns

• Landscaping

• Shrubs

• Fence lines

• Trees

• Decks and patios

• Pet activity areas

• Other outdoor flea habitats

Always follow the product label regarding where and how the product should be applied.

Maintain the Yard After Treatment

Don't wait until fleas return before maintaining the property.

Continue to:

• Mow grass regularly

• Remove leaf litter

• Trim vegetation

• Clean pet areas

• Reduce yard clutter

• Monitor wildlife activity

• Inspect shaded areas

Prevention works best when it becomes part of your regular yard-maintenance routine.

Can You Completely Prevent Fleas From Entering Your Yard?

It may not be possible to prevent every flea from reaching your property.

Pets and wildlife can continually introduce new fleas from surrounding areas.

The goal is to make your yard less favorable for fleas to become established and address new activity before it develops into a larger problem.

Watch for Signs of Fleas

If pets spend time outside, pay attention to possible flea activity.

Inspect the yard areas where pets rest and talk with your veterinarian if your dog or cat develops signs that could indicate fleas.

Finding a problem early can make it easier to address both the pet and the surrounding environment.

Keep Fleas Under Control With Natural Armor

Natural Armor Flea, Tick & Mosquito Shield is designed to help control fleas, ticks and mosquitoes in appropriate outdoor areas when used according to the product directions.

For ongoing flea prevention, combine appropriate treatment with:

• Regular lawn maintenance

• Leaf and debris removal

• Vegetation management

• Clean pet areas

• Appropriate flea protection for pets

• Reduced wildlife-friendly conditions

• Regular inspection of shaded areas

By addressing both the fleas and the conditions that allow them to thrive, you can take a more complete approach to keeping fleas out of your yard.

Always read and follow all application instructions, approved uses and precautions on the Natural Armor Flea, Tick & Mosquito Shield product label.