How to Protect a Yard From Fleas & Ticks

Overview

A yard full of fleas and ticks is not safe for pets or small children to play in. Fleas can quickly make their way inside the home and multiply. Ticks can cause diseases, including ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease. You do not have to put up with these tiny parasites. You can get rid of them and reclaim the use of your yard for your family.

Step 1

Spend a day doing yard work. You need to rake your leaves, pick up sticks and trim your bushes. Once you get your yard free of debris, you need to mow the grass to less than three inches high. This will make the yard less attractive to fleas and tick as it will remove many of their hiding places.

Step 2

Make your property unattractive to animals that carry fleas and ticks. This means removing birdhouses, keeping tight lids on outdoor trash cans and ridding your yard of plants that deer like to munch on. If you don't have animals that carry fleas and ticks visiting your property, then you won't have fleas and ticks.

Step 3

Spread food grade diatomaceous earth over your lawn. You must use food grade diatomaceous earth because it is safe to use around pets and small children. This product kills fleas and ticks because it is sharp enough to cut the skeleton of the fleas and ticks open. The fleas and ticks then die from dehydration. This is an all natural way to get the fleas and ticks out of your yard.

Step 4

Spray a pesticide with an IGR (insect growth regulator) over your yard. Be sure to follow all of the instructions on the label for safety and effectiveness. The pesticide must contain an IGR, or it will only kill the adult ticks and fleas. The IGR will actually stop any eggs from hatching and becoming adult ticks and fleas, whereas plain pesticides won't.