Flea Spray for Lawns
Fleas make life miserable for pets. They also bite people, which can spread diseases such as plague and lead to problems such as flea allergy dermatitis. Eliminating flea infestations requires treating your home and your lawn. Does this Spark an idea?
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Pesticides
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Sprays eliminate fleas because they contain pesticides. Common pesticides include tetramethrin, tralomethrin, bifithrin, permethrin, fenvalerate, deltamethrin, carbaryl, diazinon, resmethrin, propoxur, bendiocarb and rotenone. Professionals have access to stronger pesticides, such as fluvalinate.
Use
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Before using flea sprays, mow your lawn and clear it of weeds and debris. An article by Kenny Road on the Ohio State University Extension website suggests soaking dry soil with water prior to treatment to bring flea larvae to the surface. The North Carolina State University and A&T University Cooperative Extension website suggests spraying in three-week intervals, paying special attention to areas that pets frequent.
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Considerations
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Pesticides aren't just dangerous for fleas--they also are dangerous for humans and pets. According to the Federal Citizen Information Center, pesticides cause cancer, nerve damage, birth defects, poisoning, asthma attacks and increased allergies. You should not breathe the fumes from any flea spray you use on your lawn, nor should you allow children or pets to come into contact with any treated area until it is dry and the proper amount of time has lapsed. Most flea sprays contain important information and time lines on their labels. Be sure to thoroughly read and follow the directions before using the flea spray.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit lawn image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
