Lawn Fleas / Ticks

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What Are Lawn Fleas? Lawn fleas ( Siphonaptera ) are tiny, wingless insects measuring approximately 1/8 of an inch. They are generally black or dark brown in colour with a flat oval-shaped body. They have six thin, long legs that enable proficient jumping, short thin antennae and piercing mouthparts. Adult lawn fleas will fly around seeking for a mate, which will cause them to more visible. They thrive in humid, warm conditions and can produce up to 50 eggs per day after breeding. The larvae of lawn fleas are legless, white and subside below the soil surface. Lawn Flea Infestation Signs & Symptoms Both adult fleas and larvae will feed on grass roots, with the larvae capable of killing the roots such is the voraciousness of their feeding. Lawns will be left looking patchy and unhealthy and dead grass will feel squishy when trodden on. Lawn fleas are most likely to be found in shady and moist areas of the garden such as under bushes, in thick grass or in compost piles. You may also notice small, black spots on plants which are digested bits of blood from fleas that had recently been feeding on plant matter. Lawn fleas are also parasitic and will feed on the blood of mammals and birds. Pets and humans are therefore susceptible to flea or tick bites. Pets may suffer a range of potential symptoms such as; excessive scratching, pale gums, red spots, dry skin or loss of fur and the development of small, red bites around ankles or legs. Humans may also develop itchy, bite marks. Ticks are also a growing concern in the UK with reports that they are responsible for the spread of illnesses to humans such as Lyme disease. They may also be present in long grass and vegetation. How To Control Lawn Fleas In order to protect your garden, yourself and your pets from fleas it is important to keep your garden clean from debris and and potential hiding places for the pest. Remove weeds, leaves and decaying organic matter from your garden and stay on top of your mowing to reduce fle