What Attracts Fleas to Garbage Cans and Other Outdoor Items?
Responsible pet owners do everything they can to minimize any risks associated with fleas, but some places you might overlook include your outdoor garbage cans, shady areas, or even your own clothing.
Garbage cans attract fleas, putting your dog at risk of coming in contact with them and other unwanted bugs.
When it comes to pests, fleas are notoriously difficult to get rid of. Not only are they small and hard to spot, they can also jump extraordinarily high and reproduce quickly. A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, meaning that an infestation can happen very quickly if you’re not careful.
Garbage cans, in particular, are notorious for attracting fleas, according to PetMD. Fleas may be found around garbage cans in your town or yard and are often carried in by animals such as raccoons or rats, before ending up in waste bins as host animals explore the rubbish for an easy meal. If your dog wanders too close to a neighborhood garbage can or where you store your household waste, he could be at risk of coming in contact with unwanted bugs.
What Are Fleas Attracted To?
If you think you have a flea problem around your garbage can or any outdoor area, here are some things to watch out for that could be attracting fleas:
- Warmth: Fleas are attracted to warm areas, so garbage cans, debris and mulch piles, or other areas that retain heat because of decomposition can be appealing to them.
- Darkness: Fleas also like dark places, so shady areas in your yard can be attractive to fleas looking for a place to breed and call home until they find a pet or human host.
- Scent: Finally, fleas are attracted to certain scents, so dogs, cats, local wildlife, and even your own clothing or skin can attract them to outside areas where they can jump on and potentially cause an infestation.
How to Deter Fleas
If you’re concerned about fleas in your outdoor areas, there are a few things you can do to help deter them:
- Keep garbage cans clean and free of debris to help minimize any potential food sources for fleas, keep flea-ridden wildlife away, and eliminate places for them to hide.
- Treat your yard for fleas by hiring a professional or using flea sprays and other products designed and labeled specifically for killing fleas in outdoor areas.
- Be mindful of coming back indoors: Fleas can easily hitch a ride on your clothing or skin, so be sure to check yourself for any unwanted guests before coming back inside
Flea collars, as well as shampoos and topicals, can protect your pup from parasitic insects.
If you think you may have a flea infestation, it’s important to act quickly. Fleas can carry diseases and cause skin irritation, so it’s best to get rid of them as soon as possible. A professional pest control operator can help you identify and treat the problem quickly and effectively.
By taking these simple precautions, you can help reduce the risk of fleas in your outdoor areas and keep your home and pets free from an infestation.
Protect your pup from any pests with shampoos, topicals and flea collars and rid your backyard of any parasitic insects with Hartz® UltraGuard® Home Spray. Make sure no fleas are hiding behind the garage or shed and keep your dog safe from any potential infestations.
