This may be an unpleasant thought, but your yard is filled with insects. Some of these insect pests are so small you can't see them, while others are small enough to avoid detection even if you were to look right at them. That is the case with fleas. They're so tiny, you would have a difficult time seeing one in your yard, especially with all that grass. So there could be thousands of them out there and you wouldn't even know it. Since they can easily remain undetected due to their small size, they have an easy time jumping onto our pets and being carried inside. In fact, every time your pet goes out into your yard, there is the chance that they may pick up a flea. Or multiple fleas. However, there are some conditions that can reduce flea exposure for your pets. Let's take a look at some of them!
Moisture
When fleas drop off their hosts onto your lawn or hatch from their eggs in your yard, they’ll need a lot of moisture to survive. During times of drought, most fleas won't be able to survive in your turfgrass. This is partly due to the absence of water, but it also has to do with the drying effect of the sun. The intense Florida sun has a way of eliminating those fleas as they cannot survive in direct sunlight. But, when those flea eggs drop in landscaping, the larvae that hatch are protected from the sun and have access to the moisture they need to survive, even during times of drought. This makes landscaping an ideal breeding ground for fleas. And if your pets are allowed to explore the landscaping on your property, they have a greater chance of picking up fleas. That is one reason experts suggest creating an outdoor play area for your pets.
Wildlife
There are a wide variety of animals that live in Bradenton and the surrounding area and many of them can bring fleas into our yards. Therefore, everything you do to control wildlife will also work to control the flea populations on your property. Here are a few wildlife control tips:
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Store all outdoor trash in clean, sealed receptacles to avoid attracting wildlife to your yard.
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Consider putting up a fence around your property to keep your pets from wandering into flea-ridden areas and keep wildlife from introducing fleas onto your property.
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Install fencing around all outdoor food sources; make sure this fencing is installed at least a foot underground to prevent burrowing animals from tunneling underneath.
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Keep the lawn trimmed and reduce any clutter that wildlife animals may use as harborage.
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Consider routine inspections from a pest control professional to detect and manage wildlife animals and other pests.
Rodents
While certainly considered wildlife animals, these critters are in a class of their own when it comes to spreading fleas, ticks, and other parasites. Not only can they bring them into your yard, but they can also introduce them into your home and spread them around from top to bottom. So, for this reason and many others, it is important to pay specific attention to controlling rodents around your home. Here are a few ideas:
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Rodents need cover; if you have objects near your foundation walls for them to hide in or under, you'll make your home more vulnerable to rodent infestations.
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Perform an inspection of your windows, doors, and the exterior of your home to identify any gaps or holes and seal them up; all it takes is a hole the size of a dime for a mouse to get in!
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If you have voids under your exterior steps or other structure, it is a good idea to put fencing in place to keep unwanted wildlife out, including rodents.
When mice or rats get into your home, they present a serious threat. And their ability to spread fleas is only one of many dangers they present. They also spread harmful illnesses and other disease-spreading parasites, destroy personal belongings, damage building materials, and are known to sever wires when they chew on those building materials, which can lead to house fires.
If you've ever dealt with a flea infestation, then you know how difficult they are to get rid of. Fleas are pernicious pests. Even after you've vacuumed all your rugs, washed all your bedding and clothing, bathed your pets, and performed a number of other treatments, you may still have a flea problem in your home. And, while you still have fleas in your home, you can still be bitten. That means ongoing exposure to flea-related diseases like murine typhus, tularemia, and plague. That's bad news for both you and your pets!
At Keller's Pest Control, we help homeowners in Bradenton and the surrounding area manage fleas and the animals that carry those fleas onto our properties and into our homes. With ongoing home pest control from Keller’s Pest Control, you can greatly reduce your risk of having a flea infestation and other harmful infestations popping up in your home. Reach out to us to learn more. We're here to help!
