How to Get Rid of Sand Fleas? Try These Methods!
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How to Get Rid of Sand Fleas? Well! If you want to have a relaxing time at the beach, it’s best to avoid the sand fleas! What happens when you come home from the beach, however, is that you come home with dozens, or even hundreds, of bites. Can you say vacation ruined?
That’s the exact purpose of this Pest Strategies article. You’ll learn all you need to know about sand fleas, so you can protect yourself from them, reduce their damage to your lawn, and find treatments that will effectively kill them.
We recommend Orkin, Terminix, and Aptive if you try to kill sand fleas on your own. They have some of the best trained professionals that are able to use traps, baits, and other chemical methods that are often more effective than standard DIY methods.
1: What are Sand Fleas?
Sand fleas are also known as Beach Pests. They get into your clothes and then they hide in your shoes and socks when you go out.
They’re an inch long, don’t bite and won’t harm humans. They have a life cycle that lasts one year. Their habitat includes the oceans and coastal regions of the United States. Read More:
Although most people associate sand fleas with sandy beaches and the deserts, they can live anywhere sandy ground is found. And given the opportunity, they’ll find their way into your home, and even into your living space.
Related: How To Lure A Mosquito?
2: Sand Flea Bites on Humans?
Beach-goers are more prone to contracting sand flea bites, as they are most active at night and at dawn. This is because these tiny crustaceans are most active at night and at dawn, meaning that beach buffs who like to go for night walks or swim, are more prone to contracting sand flea bites.
Mosquitoes bite their victims for two reasons. 1. The most common reason is their appetite for a fresh blood meal. Just like mosquito, and other blood-sucking insect pests, sand fleas have a special type of saliva that prevent the blood from clotting.
When the female sand flea bites, it injects a substance that causes a reaction on your skin which results in a small red bump. The second type of bite happens when a female sand flea considers your skin as her next nesting ground.
This type of flea bite causes an itchy red rash, a very irritating and contagious condition. It’s best treated by washing with soap and water.
Most crab bites occur in the lower part of the body due to the fact that sand fleas can only jump up to 40 centimeters off the ground. Get more information about other pests by reading our Pest Guides page.
Related: Best Ways To Kill Roaches!
3: What are the Effects of Sand Flea Bites?
Image Source: Medical News Today
It is difficult to tell exactly how much you’re going to get bitten by sand fleas. They may swarm around your body in larger numbers than usual. The sand flea bites may also be extremely painful and itching.
Even worse, these bites can trigger a serious allergic reaction. It’s important to be aware of the risk factors that increase your chances of suffering an allergic reaction to a bite from a sand flea.
Common major allergic reactions include difficulty in breathing accompanied with chest pain as well as dizziness and nausea.
And if you happen to come across a female sand flea while you are doing your yard work, you should wear your boots and do your best to avoid being bitten by this painful creature. Experts say that the second type of sand flea bite can lead to a rare and dangerous skin disease known as tungiasis.
4: How to Treat Sand Flea Bite?
Image Source: WikiHow
Sand flea bites are very itchy and scratching them is next to impossible. But, resist the urge and instead gently rub with a damp washcloth. This will help ease the pain and reduce itching.
When it comes to biting the humans around you, you need to stop scratching because this will only result to skin irritation and raised chance of contracting infection. A topical solution, like a lotion and creams formulated with calamineand hydrocortisone, can help to relieve itchiness.
Sand fleas are the only type of insect known to cause dark spot formation on the skin. They may cause itching, but they do not cause any other adverse effects. There is no known cure for them.
Organic Way to Kill Sand Fleas in the Yard.
(i) Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth is an amazing natural insecticide that works by cutting the body of any insect that crosses it. It’s very safe for humans to use and highly effective at eliminating roaches and ants.
It is effective for controlling fleas and a wide range of other insects, but it is not poisonous, so you need to wear a dust mask and goggles when applying, and keep children and pets indoors until you’re finished.
Diatomaceous earth is a natural soil stabilizer and anti-inflammatory. You can apply it to decks, walkways and driveways, and apply it where your pet travels or sleeps outdoors. However, it is not effective when applied in a moist environment, so it must be reapplied after rainfall or irrigation.
There are natural products for eliminating mosquitoes and flies, but nothing is as effective and safe as DE. It’s the ultimate insect repellent.
It’s a great flea and tick control product that’s available at home improvement centers and garden centers, and can be found at pet supply outlets. Although it’s non-poisonous, diatomaceous earth is dangerous if inhaled so wear a dust mask and goggles when applying, and keep children and pets indoors until you’re finished.
Apply diatomaceous earth to the surfaces of your yard and patio. It’s an excellent deterrent to mosquitoes and other insects, but it’s most effective when applied after a rain or irrigation event.
(ii) Beneficial Nematodes
You’ll learn about nematodes in the soil. The best pest control for fleas is beneficial nematodes. These microscopic worm-like organisms live in the soil. These mites are used in pest control because they feed on pest insects, including fleas.
Beneficial nematodes will only work if there are insects in your lawn that they can help. If you don’t have a lot of bugs, don’t bother trying this pest control strategy.
Treating your pet’s spots or ticks with Nematodes is safe and natural. They’re not harmful to you, your pet, your home, garden, or beneficial soil organisms like worms.
When it comes to reducing pest insects, the most effective species of parasitic nematode is Steinernema carpocapsae. It enters the bodies of the fleas, where it feasts on the tissue, and leaves when it’s full.
You’ll need to take out the nematode eggs from your soil by hand, mix them with water, and then spray the mixture onto your grass.
Treat the spots where your pet travels or sleeps outside before and after application, but apply it thoroughly.
This natural occurrence does not cause harm, but can interfere with certain types of crops and is best controlled by good gardening practices.
(iii) Shut Off Every Possible Entry Point!
Shut down every possible entry point. When you find infested areas, the next thing you need to do is to shut down any space that can allow sand fleas to enter other places.
Whether you’ve got cracks in your walls, crevices, or under your doors, this includes any type of wood glue. You can use old towels or other types of sealants to temporarily hold the cracks in place.
(iv) Disinfest The Compromised Areas
Disinfect the areas where sand fleas live, by sprinkling a layer of salt there. To get rid of them you need to have enough salt in the places where they breed, so that you can saturate the whole area. Allow it to settle for about 24 hours.
The sand flea doesn’t like salt. You can sprinkle some more salt in the same areas after 48 hours, just to be sure you’re getting every one of them, including the young ones in the tiny cracks.
This is one of the best ways to get rid of sand fleas in your yard.
(v) Clean Up The Mess
Salt is very useful for killing the sand fleas. They will be dead within a few hours after you have added it.
(vi) Vacuum Cleaner
You can use different attachments and a vacuum to clean all the dust, sand, and salt debris from the floors.
Use a vacuum cleaner to clean your floors, carpets, furniture, and any other areas that are hard to reach.
You can use your vacuum to go over all the spots a second time to make sure you don’t miss anything.
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