Organic Flea & Tick Control for Lawns

If you have a flea and tick colony in your yard, then you may quickly have the same colony in your home. These insects can invade your home by attaching themselves to your pets or to your clothing, and when indoors they become a genuine pest problem. While there is chemical flea and tick lawn treatments, if you wish to avoid adding chemicals into the environment then an organic treatment option will be best for you.

Nematodes are microscopic bugs that feast on fleas. This organic form of outdoor flea control is nontoxic, and will not harm yourself or your animals. When nematodes are introduced to a backyard, they consume flea larvae, which work to naturally reduce the flea population. Nematodes are available for purchase through most garden supply stores, as well as through online merchants. To apply the nematodes a lawn sprayer is used, and within 24 hours after spraying, up to 80 percent of the flea population is removed, according to Earth Easy. Take note, nematodes are unable to survive cold winters, thus reapply every spring and summer.

Essential oils such as peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass and thyme work to remove and kill ticks and fleas. These essential oils are not harmful to the environment, and they will not damage grass or other plants. To use this organic flea and tick control method, fill a spray bottle with 1 tsp. of the essential oil and add 2 cups of warm water. Spray throughout the yard, but pay attention to entrance areas of the home such as doors, windows and drains. Repeat at least three times per month for adequate pest control.

Fennel is part of the same family as parsley and carrots and is able to be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7. K9 Web reports growing fennel in a yard discourages the growth and establishment of flea colonies, and rubbing fennel foliage directly onto your dog's coat will prevent fleas from attaching. Once planted, fennel will self-seed and continue to spread throughout your yard unless you trim the heads after they bloom.

For widespread flea and tick colonies, the use of organic commercial sprays may be the ideal treatment option. While the flea and tick removal industry is full of products claiming to be "all-natural" it is important that you read the label of the product before purchasing. Search for a spray that contains all-natural oils, such as cinnamon or rosemary oil. Avoid sprays that use synthetic ingredients, even if the label states the ingredient comes from natural or organic sources. If it is synthetic, it is not organic.