Ticks and Fleas

Fleas and ticks are carried into the lawn by dogs and cats. They are blood feeders and will bite people, as well as pets. Ticks have an extremely high reproductive potential. For example, adult females of some species of ticks may lay as many as 3,000 to 5,000 eggs in 2 weeks. Eggs take about 35 to 40 days to hatch. After hatching, the young ticks climb up grass, shrubs, or sides of the house where they wait to climb onto a passing host.

Adult fleas feed on blood, while the larvae feed on bits of organic material or dried blood in and around pet bedding areas. Thus, flea populations are normally highest near pet bedding or resting areas. High populations of fleas occasionally occur in and around home lawns.

Successful control of fleas and ticks requires controlling these pests on the pet, in any indoor areas frequented by the pet, and infested lawn areas the pet uses. Control of fleas and ticks on pets and inside homes is addressed in other Extension publications. Treatments listed in this publication are only for use outdoors in the home lawn. Do not apply them to pets or use indoors unless the label specifically indicates such uses. When treating lawns to control fleas and/or ticks, pay particular attention to areas where pets spend time resting. Often this may not be in the lawn itself but in nearby areas such as under shrubs, porches, or houses.