Natural Flea Control: How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally

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The nematode preys upon the soil stages of fleas and white grubs; the larval stage of Japanese, Oriental, fuller rose, May and June beetles; and assorted chafers, cutworms, sod webworms, armyworms, billbugs, leatherjackets, pickleworms, squash vine borers, clear wing stemborers; black vine, strawberry root, citrus, and apopka weevils; and little leaf notchers.

The nematodes have no effect whatsoever on people, plants, or animals, says Doug Ross. The stage of the worm in Bio Flea Halt! does not have a mouth, so its attacks are limited to the pests it parasitizes. Because they do not become a permanent part of the ecosystem that they are introduced to, the nematodes won't affect livestock, groundwater, or soil.

"They are what you call obligate parasites," says Ross. "If they don't find an insect to penetrate and live in, they die. They can do nothing else."

The nematodes aren't harmful when accidentally ingested. "The only way that they can kill you is if you drown in them," says Dr. Koppenhofer. "And that would require a lot of nematodes:'

Even the EPA considers nematodes a safe alternative to pesticides, and does not regulate their use, says Ross. And because the nematodes occur in nature, they are an all-organic means of pest control.

"You have to remember," Ross says, "that there are billions of nematodes in every cubic meter of soil anyway. So adding a few more million is kind of a drop in the bucket."

Did you know? People throughout the ages have searched for practical, natural flea control. Ancient Egyptians covered slaves in donkey's milk to keep the fleas away. Fashionable folks of the 18th century wore tubes filled with blood round their necks to deter the pests. But more recent home remedies such as garlic and brewer's yeast have been shown to do little more, often nurturing healthy and happy fleas instead of deterring them.

Human history marches on, and a kinder, more effective flea control method is here. And as is often the case with nature, the solution was right in the earth.

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