What To Do If You Find A Flea Or Tick In Your Yard

No one likes to find out that they have fleas or ticks in their yard the hard way: irritating marks on their skin. If you've noticed the small, singular bump of a tick bite or the cluster of tiny, itchy red bumps of a flea bite, specifically after you've been outside on your property, you may be dealing with more of these pesky creatures in your yard. Another telltale sign is constant itching from your pets. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to eradicate these bugs and ensure they stay away from your lawn, including consistently mowing your grass and fencing in your property from flea-ridden animals like rats, raccoons, and deer. You can also make sure you know the differences between these pests so you know whether it's fleas or ticks hiding in your grass. 

While ticks and fleas often get confused for each other, there are some pretty major differences between the two. Fleas do not have wings, have six legs, and are typically smaller than ticks, measuring about 1/8 inch long. They are usually reddish-brown and are attracted to pets like cats and dogs. Unlike fleas, ticks don't have the ability to jump, so you will mostly spot these pests crawling around on the ground. They are larger, darker, and like other arachnids, have eight legs. When filled with blood, ticks can grow larger.

If you're unsure whether you have a large population of ticks or fleas in your yard, you can test for fleas using the "white sock" hack. Wear a pair of long white socks (and long pants) and walk around your yard and home, checking for small dark bugs clinging on your socks. You can do the same for ticks by dragging a white towel on the ground. If you spot a few after this process, you may need to up your yard cleanup or spray insecticides.

Fleas and ticks are often drawn to dark, moist environments with little to no airflow. The overlooked solution for keeping fleas and ticks out of your lawn is easy: Stay consistent in mowing your lawn and cleaning up any piles of debris or waste. The shorter your grass and other greenery, the more sunlight can get in and create a dry environment, which ticks and fleas dislike.

These creatures can also make their way into your property via wild animals, like rats, raccoons, deer, squirrels, and stray cats and dogs. To avoid this, ensure that your yard is fenced in properly. Building a simple fence can keep your lawn free of fleas and ticks. You can also utilize the power of insecticides, choosing from a variety of sprays or granules, ideally containing ingredients like carbaryl or permethrin. If the problem persists, contact a professional for further assistance.