How to Treat the Yard for Mange

Mange in dogs and cats is caused by microscopic mites. Demodectic mange is caused by the Demodex canis and Demodex injai mites. Sarcoptes mange is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mange. Dogs and cats can contract the mites from other infected animals or a contaminated environment. If the environment is left untreated, animals can continually contract the mites. In cool environments, mites can live up to 22 days without a host. In warm environments, they can live two to six days. In order to prevent the mites from affecting animals, you must terminate them.

Residual insecticide

Purchase a residual insecticide from the hardware or pet store. The insecticide should contain the ingredient permethrin.

Apply the product to the area in which mites are suspected. Read the directions on the bottle for application instructions. Depending on the size of the area, you may be able to simply spray the insecticide on the grass. For larger areas, you may need to attach the bottle to the hose to apply the product to the grass.

Treat the grass anytime your animals have mange. If your animals go outside and spend time in the grass, the mites can jump off of the animal and reside in the grass. If you allow the mites to live in the environment and your animal makes contact with the grass, the mites can jump back on the animal and cause problems. Apply the product to the grass when other infected animals walk in your yard as well, particularly foxes, as they often carry the mange mites.

Mange mites can also live in your animal's bedding. Treat the bedding with an insecticide that contains permethrin, and wash it in hot water to get rid of them.

Since mange is typically highly contagious, your veterinarian may recommend that all animals in your home are treated for mange if one animal comes up positive for the condition.