crooz Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 (edited) I think we are inadvertantly killing off all our flea predators through modern gardening routines. I'm no hippy. But I have taken up organic gardening principles as of about 14 months ago and have noticed a reduction in unwanted pests of all varieties in that time. Removing all pesticide and herbicides from my garden has resulted in what I feel is a return to a natural balance, where no one species of creature is allowed to profligate to pest proportions. I'm not talking extremes here just a few changes: 1) Remove all chemicle fertilisers, these feed your plants/grass but do not enrich your base soil and underlying eco systems. Think bright green grass but everything dead underneath, including good and bad bacteria/fungus/organisms 2) Remove all chemicle pesticides, these kill off way more than the bad guys, and may remove your friends (ie. those predators who would normally eat fleas/mosquitoes/ticks etc) 3) Add natural organic material to your gardens and lawns by means of compost. This is a one off application and only necessary if you normally remove your grass clippings, in order to add good bacterial and fungal communties to your lawn/gardens. 4) Add organic material to your lawn by removing your lawn mower catcher and letting the clippings be reinvested into your lawn. Bacteria and fungus underground will love these clippings, worms will love the extra bacteria to feast on, and I'm sure nematodes will multiply and feast on the fleas etc, creating a more balanced environment. 5) Lift your mower to its highest setting, ensuring a nice long healthy lawn with a nice healthy sub system going on underneath. Edited March 2, 2014 by crooz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 What brand of flea bombs do people recommend and where's the best place to get them please? TIA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essentialdog Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 What brand of flea bombs do people recommend and where's the best place to get them please? TIA. I've used many different flea bombs in the past and found none of them worked - a sheer waste of money. I bit the bullet and got the house professionally done (pet safe) and it worked perfectly. Spoke to the pest control guy and he said the bombs were a waste of money and did nothing. Mind you he was biased, however getting it done by a pro was the only thing that worked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 For the yard - keep grass short or well tended... fleas love long grass... My guys were finally flea free about 2 weeks after the 2 doses of Comfortis and dose of Advantage spot-on... it took a little while for it to all kick in I suppose... grrr! Haven't seen a flea since I'm happy to say... *grin* T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottsmum Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 I think we are inadvertantly killing off all our flea predators through modern gardening routines. I'm no hippy. But I have taken up organic gardening principles as of about 14 months ago and have noticed a reduction in unwanted pests of all varieties in that time. Removing all pesticide and herbicides from my garden has resulted in what I feel is a return to a natural balance, where no one species of creature is allowed to profligate to pest proportions. I'm not talking extremes here just a few changes: 1) Remove all chemicle fertilisers, these feed your plants/grass but do not enrich your base soil and underlying eco systems. Think bright green grass but everything dead underneath, including good and bad bacteria/fungus/organisms 2) Remove all chemicle pesticides, these kill off way more than the bad guys, and may remove your friends (ie. those predators who would normally eat fleas/mosquitoes/ticks etc) 3) Add natural organic material to your gardens and lawns by means of compost. This is a one off application and only necessary if you normally remove your grass clippings, in order to add good bacterial and fungal communties to your lawn/gardens. 4) Add organic material to your lawn by removing your lawn mower catcher and letting the clippings be reinvested into your lawn. Bacteria and fungus underground will love these clippings, worms will love the extra bacteria to feast on, and I'm sure nematodes will multiply and feast on the fleas etc, creating a more balanced environment. 5) Lift your mower to its highest setting, ensuring a nice long healthy lawn with a nice healthy sub system going on underneath. Sorry to disappoint but we dong garden at all. At best we mow and hubby mows long as he likes the look better. No garden beds, one old pot plant out the back (amazed its still alive) The yard is literally a small square of grass for the dog and a place for the clothes line. But thanks for the tips. Will see if I can convince hubby to leave the catcher off - however it is in our lease to ensure they;re collected - you can bet your bottom dollar the one time we don't rake is the one time the owner calls by Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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