When arms and legs itch badly after gardening in the spring, only a few affected gardeners suspect fleas; the human flea is considered to be almost extinct. Sometimes, of course, other types of tiny bloodsuckers target humans because their main hosts are still hibernating or in sunny regions. Read here how you can arm yourself against the itching pain and put a stop to the infamous goings-on.

Pets and children should avoid the garden during the flea infestation

How do fleas get into the garden?

Designations such as bird flea, hedgehog flea or mole flea express the close relationship of the respective flea species to their main host. For better or for worse, the fleas are not tied to a specific host, because the bloodsuckers are not choosy in times of need. After a mild winter, the plague spirits can awaken if their traditional blood suppliers are still in hibernation or in the sunny south. In this case, the beasts have no qualms about pouncing on the hard-working gardener.

Immediate measures and home remedies - this is how you ward off fleas

As soon as you discover the first fleas or their bite marks on your skin, get active right away. Fleas multiply explosively and don't stop at your home. So far, there are no permitted means available to combat pests in the garden. How to act correctly now:

  • Place all clothing in a plastic bag and place in the freezer
  • Examine all exposed parts of the body regularly and wash off several times a day
  • Before entering the garden: spray with Autan, put on rubber boots and long trousers
  • Ban children and pets from the garden until the end of the plague
  • Flea Trap: Fill deep plates with soapy water and place a candle in the center

As a rule, the spook is over when the main hosts return to the garden. So you won't have to worry about fleas for more than 4 to 6 weeks. At the latest when the frost sets in in winter, your green realm will be free of the plague. If you take the recommended preventive measures during the cold season, you will be spared the itching pain next year.

Effective preventive measures - so you are spared from fleas

Fleas and their offspring overwinter in the nests of their primary hosts, awaiting their return the following spring. By disposing of abandoned nests and cleaning nest cavities in winter, you also remove the potential flea infestation. It is important to note that nesting material is not disposed of in the compost, but in a plastic bag in the household waste.

tips

Fighting rats in the garden with deadly poison or snap traps is closely linked to the risk that rat fleas will subsequently spread to humans. The dangerous disease carriers like to seek out the gardener as a substitute host when their main host has been killed. By scaring off the pests, you avoid this danger. Otherwise, it should be ensured that each dead rat is promptly removed from the garden.

Category:

Animals in the garden