Outdoor Flea Control

The outdoor environment (if available) need to be treated as well. This would generally include the yard, garden and kennel areas where fleas are most likely to occur. In treating outdoor environment, I would not encourage the use of chemical flea spray as recommended in indoor flea control as these chemicals may be toxic to birds as well. Hence always use an environmentally friendly or safe product. Diatomaceous earth (DE) or the use of live Nematodes would be a good choice.

Diatomaceous earth as flea killer

Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring substances made up of crushed fossils of freshwater organisms or marine life. Insects like the fleas have a waxy coat which helps to prevent water loss through the body surface. What the diatomaceous earth does is that it slices through the coat of the fleas and as such causing dehydration and eventually causes death of the fleas, larvae and eggs.

There are various grade available in the market:

1. Horticulture grade
2. Food grade
3. Pool filtering DE

Don't buy the pool filtering DE as these have been pre-heated and not quite suitable for our home-de flea purpose.

However, safe as it might be, care must be taken not to inhale or let the DE get into the eyes as it may causes irritation to the airways and eyes. As DE is inactive in presence of water, it's more suited for use on dry walks, dry decks, dry patios, dry lawns. Simply sprinkle the Diatomaceous (DE) powder onto these areas.

Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Remedy contains DE as its major ingredient and as mentioned, is non-toxic and odourless and results can be seen in just a few days time. This product can also be used indoor as well as on pets and has come highly recommended by many people who have experience success with its use.

Nematodes as flea killer

Another natural flea control method is the use of Nematodes. These beneficial microscopic worms, alias "killer roundworm" may be simplest answer to the blood sucking pest that infest your home, backyard and gardens. Use of these flea killing Nematodes are more appropriate for moist, shady spots.

These Nematodes prey on the larvae and cocoon of the fleas as well as those of over 250 other harmful insects like peach tree borers, roaches and possibly termites and are known to be able to kill fleas within 48 hours. They are however harmless to beneficial insects, birds and mammals, hence preserving the natural ecosystem of your yard and garden.

Available in commercially pack-size, they just simply need to be mixed with water and then sprayed across your yard and garden covering a large area in a short time. 

Nematodes are available through online order:

An effective outdoor flea control program would involved repeating the procedures every 2-3 weeks for at least 6 weeks and thereafter every 4-6 weeks in order to maintain a flea free environment.  

In Natural Flea control, we will cover more on the use of natural products to control fleas infestation