How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your Yard

You’re enjoying a quiet afternoon in the privacy of your backyard when you realize you aren’t so alone after all. In reality, you’re surrounded by countless fleas who have decided to make your yard their new home (and started feasting on your legs and ankles). Luckily, you’ve got a few options to evict them—with or without the help of an exterminator. Here’s how to get rid of fleas in your yard and give your itchy skin a rest.

Why Does Your Yard Have Fleas?

Fleas can show up in your yard for a number of reasons. If you have pets, for example, they could get fleas from another animal at the park, at daycare, or out in the wild. When your pet returns to your yard, the fleas could jump off and make themselves at home.

Even if you don’t have pets, your yard can still attract fleas. Rodents, birds, and other wildlife might visit your property looking for water or food—and if they’re carrying fleas, the pests could take up residence in your yard. Fleas prefer shady, protected spaces, so your yard may be particularly attractive if there’s tall grass or overgrown vegetation.

It’s also possible for people to carry fleas. If someone visits your home with fleas attached to their clothing or shoes, you could end up with fleas in your yard.

Signs of Fleas in Your Yard

Fleas are tiny, but they’re still visible to the naked eye. Even if you don’t actually see fleas, you might feel their bite—especially around your ankles. Here are some common signs that there are fleas in your yard:

• Visible fleas in your yard, on your body, or on your pet

• Itchy areas on your skin or your pet’s skin

• Excessive scratching by your pet

• Red or irritated patches on your pet’s skin

Still not sure? Put on a pair of long white socks and walk through your yard. If there are fleas, they’ll probably jump onto the socks.

How to Get Rid of Fleas

There are a few ways to get rid of fleas without hiring a professional exterminator, including with store-bought spray treatments and natural products. No matter which method you choose, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Spray Your Yard

Spraying your yard with a flea control product is one way to kill multiple kinds of lawn pests, including fleas and ticks. Available at home improvement stores, flea sprays are effective and easy to use.

However, certain flea treatments for your yard may harm pets, wildlife, and beneficial insects (like bees). When shopping for flea sprays, look for products that contain spinosad—an ingredient that will kill fleas but is less toxic to bees once it dries, according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine.

So, when is the best time to spray for fleas? To prevent the chemicals from hurting your grass, you should aim to apply these treatments in the early morning or evening (in other words, when the sun isn’t directly overhead). It’s also best to use flea sprays on clear days—at least 24 hours before and after rain, if possible.

Add Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a pest control powder made from fossilized aquatic organisms. To banish fleas from your yard, you can sprinkle DE throughout your lawn. When fleas (or other insects) pass over it, the powder’s small, sharp fossils damage their exoskeletons and kill them. 

Like with flea spray treatments, it’s important to follow the label instructions when using DE. In particular, avoid sprinkling it near flowers or fruiting trees, where it could pose a threat to bees or other insect pollinators.

Use Beneficial Nematodes

If you’re looking for a safe and natural way to kill fleas, consider using beneficial nematodes. These microscopic worms are parasitic to fleas but won’t harm helpful insects (such as bees and earthworms). Plus, they aren’t dangerous to humans or animals.

You can find beneficial nematodes at hardware stores and nurseries. You’ll mix the nematodes with water and apply them to your lawn through a watering can or the sprayer setting on your garden hose (applications can vary, so follow the instructions on the label).

How to Prevent Fleas Outdoors

You’ll need a two-pronged approach to keep fleas out of your yard. First, you should focus on deterring the pests themselves. But you’ll also want to discourage flea-carrying wildlife from coming onto your property. Here’s how to achieve that.

1. Mow Often

Since fleas seek out tall grass for shelter and protection, a good way to keep these pests at bay is by mowing your lawn regularly. The best height depends on the type of grass and your climate, but in most cases, the ideal mowing height is 2 to 3 inches. By following a regular mowing schedule, you can keep your lawn healthy and make it less enticing to fleas.

2. Dethatch Your Lawn

Thatch is a layer of living and dead plant material—like leaves, stems, and roots—that accumulates on your lawn. If you don’t remove thatch, it can destroy your grass and attract all kinds of pests, including fleas. Fortunately, you can avoid these issues by dethatching your lawn every one to three years (depending on the type of grass).

3. Reduce Clutter

Tall, unkempt grass isn’t the only place that fleas like to live. They can also set up shop in piles of leaves, wood, or other clutter in your yard. On top of that, these kinds of messes may lure wild animals onto your property (who may bring fleas with them).

4. Clean Up Standing Water

Like clutter, standing water can also attract local wildlife to your home. To prevent this, make sure to empty any water from kiddie pools, pet bowls, bird baths, wheelbarrows, and similar objects in your yard.

5. Trim Trees and Shrubs

Fleas tend to avoid sunlight and lurk in dark or shadowy areas, such as tall grasses and wood piles. By trimming the trees and shrubs on your property, you can introduce more sunlight into your yard and deter fleas.

6. Use Cedar Mulch

The smell of cedar naturally repels fleas (and ticks, too). Adding cedar mulch around your decks, patios, porches, fences, and play areas is a simple way to protect your yard from fleas.

7. Invest in Pest-Repelling Plants

Did you know there are certain herbs, flowers, and plants that repel pests? Lemongrass and chrysanthemums can both keep insects away, but they can be poisonous to pets. If you’ve got a dog or cat at home, consider planting pet-friendly pest-repelling plants instead. Examples include basil, sage, and rosemary.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

On average, hiring a professional flea exterminator costs $75 to $400, depending on the extent of the infestation and the number of treatments required. Meanwhile, taking the DIY approach to flea removal costs between $5 and $30. If you have a few basic tools and materials, you can even make a DIY flea trap for free.

However, DIY extermination methods aren’t always enough to fully eliminate an infestation. That’s because some store-bought sprays and natural remedies can only target fleas at a certain part of their life cycle. To ensure you eradicate all fleas in your yard (no matter what life stage they’re in), it’s best to hire a local flea control company.