If you have had a problem with ticks and fleas clinging to your pets even when they have special collars, then you may want to consider using a flea killer that gets applied directly to your yard. They can help you and your pets stay pest-free without being a danger to anyone’s health, as long as you choose the right one, but that will be talked about after we look at and compare 5 of the best flea killers for yard that you can get right now.
The 5 Best Flea Killer for Yard on the Market in 2022
Although it’s not always easy to find the best flea killer for your yard with so many options available, there are definitely some that stand out more than others. And the winner is Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Yard + Kennel Spray.
1. Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Yard + Kennel Spray – Editor’s Choice
Vet’s Best is one of the most popular brands for the last several years, and their flea killer is available in a 32-ounce and 96-ounce refill liquid bottle size. It is made with peppermint oil as well as a few chemicals which are diluted in large amounts of water.
Like many of the other liquid killers on this list, this is also designed to kill mosquitoes and ticks, and the bottle has a built-in handle so you can apply it comfortably and easily. The handle is right under where the connection is for the garden hose hookup, too.
Whether it is the formula or just the stubbornness of the mosquitoes, but half of the time it does not affect the mosquitoes in or around your yard. Sometimes, it can completely get rid of them while other times it seems like there is no change, regardless if you had just applied the killer or it had only been a few days.
Overall
Is it recommended? For fleas and ticks, definitely. It seems to almost always kill and prevent both of these pests within hours of putting an application on. This also seems to be one of the longer-lasting liquid killers, in and out of the rain.
Pros
- Safe and Effective
- Starts working right away
- Works very against fleas and ticks
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Is a hit or miss with mosquitoes
- Multiple bottles needed for rainy areas
2. Adams Yard & Garden Spray – Kills and Repels Fleas & Ticks
This flea killer by Adams seems to be one of the less popular ones, but it does have similar qualities to the last product. It comes in a hose-attachable, 32-ounce bottle and is supposed to work against fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and ants.
However, the ingredients are less known, only containing one chemical and ‘other ingredient’; when a flea killer has ‘other ingredients’, it is usually mostly water. The instructions also say to keep any pets and children away from the yard until it is completely dry, so it is one of the less safe choices compared to the other choices on this list.
Even though it is made for all of the previously mentioned insects, this actually only really repels and kills fleas and crickets really well. Many of the other insects seem to hardly be affected by the killer if they are affected at all.
Overall
Is it recommended? If you have a flea and/or cricket problem and you do not have any pets or children to worry about, yes. Otherwise, we would not recommend this one since it does not protect against as many insects and could possibly be harmful to your pets/children.
Adams Flea and Tick Yard Spray How-To
Pros
- Works well against fleas and crickets
- Vet recommended
- Works in season and off-season
Cons
- Can be a hit or miss with other insects
3. Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns Granules
Being the only dry flea killer on the list, this flea killer by Ortho is available in either a 10-pound or 20-pound bag. You may know the brand because of their other bug killers/repellers, which are also chemical bug killers like this dry killer. Similar to the last product, this one also contains only one major chemical and ‘other ingredients’, but it is unclear if there are specific instructions for pet owners/parents.
Despite the unknown ingredients, this is supposed to kill a wide variety of insects including ants, fleas, ticks, spiders, crickets, centipedes, and several different types of worms.
Because it is a dry killer, it can take a few days to a week or two before the killer will set into the ground/grass and start working. It also works against nearly every bug it is supposed to excluding the spiders, ants, and centipedes.
Overall
Is it recommended? We are a little hesitant to make a judgment since this is one of the most popular flea killers and there have not been any cases of pets or kids sick, as long as they stay away from the yard for a few hours to a day or two after the application. It is one of the most effective fleas and bugs killers, though; dry or liquid.
How to Kill Insects in Your Lawn with Ortho® Home Defense Granules
Pros
- Works well against fleas and ticks
- Has little to no smell
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Is a hit or miss with spiders, ants, and centipedes
- Takes a little longer to work
4. Zodiac Flea and Tick Yard & Garden Spray
This is another liquid killer with a hose-attachable bottle that is 32 ounces. It can also be used against the most common pests like fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, crickets, and ants. This one uses a few chemicals along with other ingredients, but unlike some of the other flea killers, it is supposed to be safe to use on trees and bushes as well as plain grass.
It does do the job well with fleas and ticks, it is not the best for every other bug it is supposed to kill/repel. Also, the hose connector is one of the cheaper ones compared to the rest of the flea killers, often either getting stuck while attaching/detaching it, not creating a sealed connection (causing leaking and spraying everywhere), and/or breaking easily.
Overall
Is it recommended? If your flea issues are not getting solved by other chemical or natural killers, then this is a good option since the formula has been working for years now; for fleas and ticks at least.
Pros
- Works well against fleas and ticks
- The same grade used by pest control
- The classic formula that has worked for years
Cons
- Is a hit or miss with other bugs
- Can be difficult to apply
5. I Must Garden Mosquito Tick and Flea Concentrate
This flea killer is available in a 32-ounce concentrate bottle that you have to mix with water before applying and a 32-ounce or 1-gallon bottle that is pre-diluted and ready to use right away. The concentrate and 1-gallon bottles do not come with hose connections, but I Must Garden does make a bottle with a hose connector.
The formula is one of the most natural, containing mostly plant oils, water, and vinegar as well as a very small amount of chemicals. Because of this, it is one of the more aromatic options, but it is a more earthy and natural scent that is used to kill and repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, crickets, nats, and even mites.
The only main issue with this killer is that it only repels mosquitoes for a short time after application.
Overall
Is it recommended? Yes because this is one of the most natural and effective killers available. However, it is more of a repellent than a killer, meaning if you have an infestation, you may want to chemically treat your yard first.
Pros
- Works well against fleas and other bugs
- Works quickly after applying
- Has a discrete and natural smell
Cons
- Is a hit or miss with mosquitos
You should consider some factors before making a purchase. In order to choose the best flea termination solution for your yard, let us examine the main features you need to consider.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Flea-killing Product?
Type
The first factor you need to consider is the type of product you want. Flea killers can be classified into two categories: chemical and natural. If you are looking for a chemical product, then you will need to decide whether you want an insecticide or a pesticide. Insecticides kill adult fleas, while pesticides kill fleas at all life stages.
If you would rather use a natural product, then you will need to decide between products that use essential oils or those that use bacteria. Essential oils work by suffocating the fleas, while bacteria work by ingesting the blood of the fleas and killing them from the inside out.
Also, there are two main types of flea killers: liquid and dry. Liquid flea killers are usually made with a variety of oils and/or chemicals that come in a large bottle which is hooked up to a hose and sprayed across your yard or a spray bottle that you can spray on your patio/deck.
Dry flea killers are somewhat like fertilizer in the sense that they are chemicals that are mixed with dirt and other similar materials, and they come in a large plastic bag. These are usually applied either by hand or by a broadcast spreader, and like the liquid killers, they are spread across your entire yard. Dirt flea killers can also be more affordable depending on the brand and the size of your yard.
Size and Coverage
This can vary depending on the type of flea killer that you are using. Liquid flea killers tend to come in 32-ounce (1/4 of a gallon) bottles which can cover a yard that is up to 5,000 square feet large for a single application. However, they can also come in smaller bottles for patio/deck coverage which are usually also 32 ounces, and some brands make 96-ounce (3/4 of a gallon) to 128-ounce (1 gallon) refill bottles for regular seasonal applications.
Dry flea killers can come in a variety of sizes, but they usually come in either 10-pound bags, which can cover a yard that is up to 2,500 square feet large for a single application, or a 20-pound bag. Some even come in a single or 2-pack for the big or small-sized bags.
Number of Treatments
You will probably have to do the math to figure out just how many treatments a single bottle of liquid flea killer or a single bag of dry flea killer will provide. If fleas seem to be a seasonal issue for you every year, you are probably better off getting larger bottles or bags so that you have enough for multiple treatments.
If this is only a recent issue and you have never had a problem with fleas before, then you may want to get enough flea killer for a few months to try and deter them from coming back in the future, but this also depends on if you have a smaller yard as well.
Usage and Duration
You will also need to consider the method of application and the duration of effectiveness. For example, if you decide to use insecticides or pesticides, then you will either need to spray it on your yard or purchase an outdoor-use fogger.
The product may be effective for one month or ten months, depending on how often you apply it. As for natural products, some need to be applied weekly while others are good for up to three months. Some only prevent further infestation rather than kill existing fleas right away.
If you find that the yard is becoming infested again after using a natural solution, then switching to another can get rid of fleas very fast. However, using chemicals is not advisable because it takes time before you see results.
Ease of Use
Another factor to consider is the ease of use. If your yard is large, for example, then you might want to purchase a sprayer that makes application easier. You can also find some products that are specifically designed for yards with different sizes and shapes. You will also need to determine how often you will need to apply them in order to kill adult fleas. Some only need weekly applications while others may require daily treatments if they do not work fast enough on their own.
Other pests that the flea killer can kill
One of the benefits of a flea killer, regardless of if it is natural or chemical, is that it will almost always work on other insects as well. The most common bugs that hate flea killers are ticks, mosquitoes, crickets, spiders, and centipedes. However, depending on the formula, some of them can be hit or miss for deterring the other insects, but they almost always work on fleas and their larvae.
Ingredients
One of the most common ingredients that nearly all flea killers have is some amount of peppermint oil, and the reason is that it is one of the most natural deterrents for fleas as well as other insects. In fact, those at breadoflifemoringa.org say that most ants, spiders, cockroaches, mosquitoes, lice, and even some rodents nearly always hate the smell of the oil amongst other things.
Besides chemicals, some other common ingredients are oils from other plants like cedarwood, rosemary, citronella, and lemongrass, all of which seem to be hated by nearly every one of the previously mentioned pests.
Because flea killers are a common tool used by pet owners, most vets generally know which flea killers have the most harmful ingredients. You may want to ask them which ingredients you may want to avoid for your pet’s health, and this might help you avoid ingredients that could harm your health as well.
Why You Should Use a Flea Spray for Yard
One of the best flea killers in your yard is a yard spray. A yard spray works by treating the soil around your house with pesticides to kill off any infestations in their tracks. The most important thing you need to know about lawn pest control is that it usually involves both biological and chemical methods. Biological methods are typically used in part or whole, alongside these chemicals for full effect. Here are some tips on how to choose the best product for your needs.
Choosing the Right Spray
As far as selecting your product goes, price is not necessarily representative of quality, but it is something you should be aware of if you’re shopping on a budget. For instance, Ortho has several products which come under $20 which are designed for both warm and cold climates, but you should note that this is a middle-end product that lacks the power other products possess. If you’re looking for something to work well in tough climates, then use the information above to point you in the right direction.
Alternatives That Are Natural
If you are not comfortable using chemicals to kill off infestations of fleas or other pests, then do not despair! Fleas can also be killed by natural alternatives which are just as effective. And they don’t carry the same health risks that chemical yard sprays carry. To get rid of fleas naturally, just combine 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap with 1/2 gallon of water and spray this mixture over your lawn to kill off fleas deep down in under an hour. You could even add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for extra effect if you want.
What You Need to Know About Flea Yard Sprays
The best way to determine what you need in your yard spray is to consider the climate where you live. Cold weather is not particularly conducive to fleas breeding or thriving. This means that if you live in North Carolina for instance, then using a flea spray that is geared towards cold climates will have little effect on your infestations.
However, if you live in an area where summer is very hot and humid, then using a spray that will eliminate fleas should be your top priority. For many people, the amount of humidity in their backyards during the summer months is too high to even consider letting their pets outside at all. If this sounds like your situation, then it may be advisable for you to invest in a fogger that is designed specifically for eliminating fleas from large areas such as lawns or gardens.
What To Avoid When Buying a Flea-killing Spray for Yard
There are two main things you want to avoid when buying a yard spray: chemicals and harsh smells. Chemicals can be harmful to both humans and animals if not used properly and so it is important that you pay attention to what you are putting in your yard. Harsh smells can be just as bad if not more so than chemicals, some animals do not like certain smells, some people do not like certain scents, and it can even drive away birds from a feeder or worse cause the animal to run into the road when trying to escape from a particularly stinky yard. Water is always best for home remedies, vinegar being one of the most popular choices due to its low toxicity levels and having properties that kill pests in addition to repelling them. If you decide to use a chemical there are products out there with very low toxicity levels.
How Flea Killers Work in Your Yard
Your yard pest control products should contain ingredients that disrupt the nervous system of fleas, causing them to die almost instantly after coming into contact with it. For example, pyrethrin is a common ingredient in yard sprays, and it works by attacking the nervous system of insects.
Another common ingredient, called permethrin, creates a toxic environment for fleas that eventually kills them.
When you are looking for a good yard flea spray, be sure to choose one that contains one or both of these ingredients. You can also find products that contain Nylar, an insect growth regulator that stops fleas from being able to reproduce. This is an important ingredient if you want to get rid of fleas for good, as preventing them from reproducing will eventually cause their population to dwindle.
Where to Buy Flea Killer for Your Yard
As long as you know what sort of product you’re looking for, you can find it pretty much anywhere. For instance, Walmart offers flea killers which can be used either in warm or cool weather conditions. With any luck, the above information will help give you enough guidance to make an informed decision about fleas and how to exterminate them once and for all. And remember, don’t use chemical-based products if possible!
How to Check Your Yard for Flea Infestation
Before you can really decide whether a flea spray will work on your yard, you need to know if there is actually an infestation of any kind. It’s easy enough for you to tell just by looking around. However, if you have a large yard, it might be best to call in professionals to help you out with this.
The following are some of the most common red flags when it comes to fleas:
- Your pets are scratching more than usual.
- You are noticing more fleas on your pet’s body or in their fur.
- There is blood on your walls or flooring (This is usually from your pet grooming itself).
- You can see fleas crawling around during the daytime even though they’re not supposed to be awake at these times. This could also mean that the infestation is coming from somewhere else and has made its way into your house. You may want to double-check your neighbor’s yard, as well.
- Flea dirt everywhere. If you find these little brown specs that look similar to dirt or coffee grounds in places where your pet hangs out a lot, then it is likely that they are from the fleas themselves and not regular dirt.
There are many other signs of an infestation, so be sure to pay very close attention to any areas around your home where your pets spend a lot of time. Even if you don’t have a pet yourself, check the spots where children who play outside usually hang out because their clothes could become infested as well if not washed properly after being exposed.
How Soon Will You See Results?
The best time to apply the pesticide is during the summer months. The pesticides usually take a few days before you start seeing results, but it will only last a week or two, depending on how bad your problem with fleas is. If fleas are already present in your home and yard, no matter what pesticide you use, they will return once they hatch from their cocoons several weeks after you applied the treatment.
What Can I Use to Kill Fleas in My Yard?
There are various treatments that can be used for treating fleas in your yard besides chemical pesticides.
Nematodes
One of these ways is through natural pest control using nematodes – microscopic worms that feed on insects such as grubs and cutworms. Nematodes are commercially available and can be applied through a garden hose by attaching the hose to the nozzle and then turning the water on. You can also buy nematodes in a liquid form that you mix with water and then spray over your yard. While nematodes are very effective in killing fleas, they also kill other insects.
Diatomaceous Earth
Another way to kill fleas is through using diatomaceous earth which kills by dehydration. You can spread this fine powder over your yard and all throughout your house because it’s safe for pets and humans. It’s important to note that you should buy natural food-grade diatomaceous earth because the mined version is dangerous if inhaled since it can cause silicosis.
Boric Acid
The boric acid powder is also a popular method of killing fleas in your yard and house. It’s not poisonous and very safe for humans and animals, but it does kill insects by dehydrating them after they come into contact with the boric acid powder.
Dawn Dish Soap
Another way to kill fleas that is very popular, especially with people who have pets, is by using Dawn dish soap. All you do is mix a few drops of the soap in a quart of water and then spray it over your yard. The Dawn dish soap will kill the fleas on contact.
Fine Salt
Another simple way to kill the fleas in your yard is by sprinkling salt over them. The salt acts like a desiccant and will dehydrate the fleas.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to tell if you do need flea killer, what kind you should get, how to apply it, and what some of the best ones are, you are one step closer to getting rid of those blood-sucking pests. While chemical killers are one of the more effective and popular choices on and off this list, more and more natural killers/repellents are being designed for future use to prevent environmental harm; so you might want to keep an eye out for those, too.
FAQs About Flea Killers for Yard
In general, rural and suburban areas can be a big problem for you and your pets, and sometimes, flea collars are not enough to keep them off of your pets and out of your house. There are landscape and pest control companies that can do professional treatments on your yard, but they tend to charge significantly more when compared to getting flea killer and applying it yourself. Sometimes, applying it can even take less time than if you hire a professional to do it for you.
Nowadays, most flea killers are made up of a combination of natural oils and ingredients so that anyone, animal or human, will not be affected when walking on a treated yard. However, there are some killers that may contain DEET, an ingredient in most bug repellents that can make you or your pet sick or have an allergic reaction. Still, most products will say either on the front of the bottle/container or in the ingredients section what chemicals, if any, are used. So, if you have an allergy or your vet told you not to get a bug repellent/killer with a certain ingredient, you know what to avoid when you are trying to choose the best one for you.
This can vary depending on the brand, ingredients, and the type of killer it is. While they are healthier and safer to use, most flea killers that are made with natural oils tend to not last as long when compared to flea killers that are made with chemicals, per application. This can be because they are more likely to ‘wash away’ after when it rains while chemical killers are more resistant to erode in the rain. The same can be said with liquid and dry killers. Liquid killers, which are usually the ones that are also natural, can be washed away by as few as several, occasional rainy days or one constant 2-day storm. Because dry killers are more resistant, these can last up to several months before you would need to treat your yard again, but these are usually the killers that have chemicals in them.
This all depends on the size and layout of your yard; a small, flat yard can take much less time than a large yard that is on a hill. It also depends on what type of flea killer you are using. Liquid flea killers usually take much less time because they are linked up with a hose while you have to apply the dry flea killer either by hand, which takes the longest, or a broadcast spreader. If you plan to use a dry flea killer but do not have a broadcast spreader, depending on the size, they usually cost just a little bit more than the flea killer itself. Generally, if you have a small yard, at or less than a half-acre, it can take around 30 minutes, but if you have a larger yard, anywhere over an acre, it can take longer than an hour and a half.
Usually, the first indicator is that your pets are constantly scratching themselves both inside and outside of your house, even if they are wearing a flea collar. If your pets are usually indoor animals that do not go beyond your yard on a regular basis, it is safe to say that the fleas are coming either directly from your yard or right around it. If your yard has become infested, then it is very likely that you have noticed them, the fleas, inside your home as well. Although, if you have not noticed them inside, then there is a simple test that you could do to see if there is an infestation in your yard. Try and wear tall white socks, white shoes, and either white pants or shorts before walking around your yard a few times. Take a look at your legs, socks, and shoes. If your yard does have fleas, whether it is a small amount or a large infestation, they will most likely be on your socks or legs. According to Flea Science, they are less attracted to white or other bright colors, but the white will make it easier for you to see if you have them on you.
Flea Control for the yard has a common goal: to kill adults and larvae in the soil, eliminating the risk of re-infestation for up to between 90 days and 6 months. The most effective flea killers work by killing the larvae in the soil when they hatch from eggs laid by adult fleas. In order to kill the larvae, flea control for the yard must contain an active ingredient known as methoprene. This ingredient effectively kills all stages of fleas in your yard.
Standard treatment of a general insecticide product for yard-wide general pest control will cost $30 to $60 and last up to 3 months, depending on the size of your yard and what pests you are trying to control. A flea killer for the yard will usually cost more than a general insecticide product but will last up to 6 months and control other pests in your yard such as ticks, mosquitoes, and ants.
Methoprene, the active ingredient in most flea killers for yards, takes about 2 to 3 weeks to start working. This is because the larvae must hatch from eggs that have been laid by adult fleas and then survive long enough to reach adulthood before they can be killed. Once methoprene starts working, it will kill all stages of flea that are in the soil, including any eggs that have been laid by an adult female my pet.
The best way to apply an insecticide spray to your yard is with a hand or backpack sprayer. This application method allows you more control over the application, which will help ensure that the product stays in place and doesn't run off during rain.
Methoprene is also effective in killing ticks, mosquitoes and ants. This makes it a great choice for a flea killer for yard, as it will help to control these other pests as well.
Flea treatments for a yard can either be a do-it-yourself solution or one that requires the help of a professional. A professional will come to your home and spray your yard while you relax or play with your child in the backyard. In some cases, they may even treat the inside of the home if necessary.
A yard treatment will last anywhere from four to six months. That means that you will not have to worry about fleas in your yard for that period of time.
You will need to reapply for the yard treatment if it rains within 24 hours of the initial treatment.
List of sources
- National Pesticide Information Center. Insect Growth Regulators.
- Dryden M.W., Zurek L., Payne P.. Pests that Affect Human Health: Fleas Infesting Pets & Homes. Veterinary Health Center, Kansas State University.