Keep your Lawn Flea Free with Beneficial Nematodes
Beneficial Nematodes for Flea Control
The power of the worm comes to the rescue once again. Beneficial nematodes are microscopic roundworms that occur worldwide in virtually every environment. Certain species can target flea larvae in the soil and reduce the overall population of this unwelcome pest in the lawn and garden.
How nematodes stop fleas
Fleas have a complete life cycle, meaning they grow from egg, to larva, to pupa to adult. To stop fleas you must break this life cycle. If you kill all the adult fleas on a pet, there could still be eggs, larvae and pupae in the environment. Nematodes work by infecting the larva and pupa in the soil.
Where to apply nematodes
When to apply nematodes
How nematodes work
Beneficial, or entomopathogenic, nematodes can infect and kill soil pests like fleas, grubs and weevils. They are very mobile in moist soil environments and actively seek out their hosts via chemical cues and odors.
When nematodes are mixed with water, they can be applied to the lawn or garden with a watering can or a hose end sprayer. When they come in contact with the pest they enter through body openings and release a bacteria which kills the pest. The nematodes then feed, reproduce and start the cycle over again.
The best nematode species for flea larvae are Steinernema carpocapsae. This nematode is most effective in soil temperatures between 66-88°F. Sc is also in the Lawn and Garden Blend Nematode Product.
Are nematodes safe for people and pets?
Yes, entomopathogenic nematodes are completely safe for humans, pets and plants. They can only survive inside an insect host and are completely harmless to mammals and other non-target organisms. The US Environmental Protection Agency has exempted them from all registration requirements and regulation due to their high degree of safety. There are no required re-entry intervals after using beneficial nematodes nor personal protective equipment needed, unlike when using chemicals.
There are other types of nematodes that attack plants (root knot nematodes, or plant parasitic nematodes) and also nematodes that target animals such as heart worms, pinworms and hookworms. These are different than entomopathogenic nematodes.
Additional protection from fleas
Nematodes can assist with flea control, but it's important to treat the dog or cat as well as the house to ensure complete flea control. According to the US EPA:
- Vacuum every day to remove eggs, larvae and adults from the house.
- Vacuum the carpets, cushioned furniture, cracks and crevices on floors, along baseboards and in the basement.
- Steam clean carpets: the hot steam and soap can kill fleas in all stages of their life cycle
- Target areas where pets sleep
- Wash all pet bedding and family bedding on which pets lie in hot, soapy water every two to three weeks.
- If infestation is severe, discard old pet bedding and replace it with fresh, clean material.
- Use a flea comb to suppress adult fleas.
- Discuss with a veterinary professional flea control options for your pet.
- Consider allowing your pets to stay indoors as much as possible to reduce their chance of being bitten by fleas and ticks.
Flea repellant plants
Surrounding your yard with plants and flowers that chase aways fleas can help with the control. These include many herbs:
- Lavendar
- Rosemary
- Mint
- Artemisia or wormwood
- Lemongrass
- Yarrow
- Thyme
Further resources
Controlling Fleas and Ticks Around Your Home - US EPA
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