How to Kill Sand Fleas

Get rid of sand fleas in your home and yard

In coastal towns and cities across the United States, the heat and humidity of spring and summer bring about perfect conditions for sand fleas to multiply. Often, these sand fleas make their ways into yards of people living near the coast line. Sand fleas can also attach themselves to pets or unsuspecting homeowners, and eventually infest the home as well. But it's relatively easy and inexpensive to get rid of them.

Things You'll Need

• Diatomaceous earth
• Bowls
• Water
• Dish soap

Instructions

Killing Sand Fleas in the Yard

1. Buy a supply of diatomaceous earth. Read the directions on the container and determine how much you need to treat your yard to kill sand fleas. Diatomaceous earth is safe and non-toxic to humans and pets. It kills sand fleas by making small slices in their body and causing them to dehydrate and die.

2. Sprinkle the diatomaceous earth liberally all over your yard. Pay particular attention to the outer perimeter of the yard to prevent fleas from escaping, and to prevent fleas from neighboring yards from coming into yours.

3. Wait 5 to 7 days. You should see a significant, if not total, decrease in the amount of sand fleas in your yard. If you still see sand fleas in big numbers, you probably didn't use enough diatomaceous earth. In this case, reapply.

Get Rid of Sand Fleas in the Home

1. Fill bowls with water. If possible, use shallow bowls--for instance, cereal bowls instead of large mixing bowls. The sand fleas will be jumping into these, and they stand a better chance of landing in the bowl if the bowls have lower sides.

2. Add 10 drops of liquid dish soap to each bowl. The dish soap creates a sticky surface on the bowl, making it impossible for the sand fleas to escape once they've landed in the bowl.

3. Place the bowl near a light source. Sand fleas are attracted to light because their natural habitat is on sunny beaches.

   During the day, turn off all lamps and televisions, and place the bowls on low window sills or on the floor near an open window.

   At night, place the bowls in the center of rooms, with light sources above the bowls of water. You could place a desk lamp or suspended flashlight over a bowl.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to keep all bowls of water out of the reach of children at all times. Children can drown in as little as 1 inch of water.