How to Kill Fleas & Ticks on Your Lawn

Fleas and ticks thrive in moist grass and soil.

Fleas and ticks thrive in outdoor environments, especially on lawns. These pests can cause serious health problems in both humans and pets, including lyme disease and even tapeworms. According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, fleas and ticks are the most frequently encountered and most troublesome pests that attack humans and their pets. Learning how to kill fleas and ticks on your lawn is a must if you want to live and play in a clean, pest-free environment and keep yourself and your pet as healthy as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Lawn mower Store-brand repellent Adams yard spray flea and tick control Pet shampoo/collar/powder

Instructions

1. Remove all brush and weeds from your lawn. Michael W. Dryden, DVM, of the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, recommends removing weeds and brush piles, as both fleas and ticks regularly take refuge in such locations. Burn the brush and weeds to kill any hidden fleas and ticks.

2. Keep your lawn cut short. Both ticks and fleas survive in moist grass and soil. Mow your lawn on a weekly or biweekly basis to allow the suns penetrating heat to dry your lawn's grass and soil.

3. Spray a proven chemical repellent on your lawn, like Adams Yard Spray Flea and Tick Control, to kill fleas and ticks. Spray the solution over all areas of your lawn, especially in shady, moist areas. You can purchase flea and tick lawn repellents at hardware and gardening stores.

4. Treat your pet with a preventative flea and tick medicine to keep fleas and ticks from using your pet to transfer back to your lawn. Flea and tick medicines, like shampoos, collars and powders can be used to treat your pet. They can be purchased from your veterinarian or pet store.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow all instructions on the store-brand chemical lawn repellent label thoroughly before use to ensure lasting success. To prevent your pet from becoming sick, keep it away from your lawn while you use the chemical repellent. Don’t let your pets stray into other people's yards, as they could bring fleas and ticks back to your lawn.

• Use caution when spraying a chemical lawn repellent on your lawn, as children and pets could be hurt.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Fleas
• Michael W. Dryden, DVM, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine: Flea and Tick Control: Real Medicine