Can Artificial Grass Help with Fleas and Ticks?

Artificial grass is a pest-resistant surface, capable of reducing the presence of fleas, ticks and other annoying bugs. In fact, synthetic grass is regularly recommended for people and pets with allergies or other sensitivities. That’s one benefit of artificial grass, and other benefits include:

Reduced weed growth
Reduced mold and allergen presence
Reduced yard maintenance and water usage
Improved drainage
Natural look that appears lush around the calendar

An expert turf installation company can optimize these advantages for your property and protect your family and pets from unwanted pests.

How Does Artificial Turf Help Control Fleas and Ticks in Your Yard?

Fleas and ticks are more than mere annoyances; they actually pose potential health risks. Their bites can cause ongoing irritation and result in infection if the bite is scratched open. Further, some fleas and ticks spread disease. Fleas may harbor typhus, and they can spread tapeworm. Ticks are worse, as they can spread Lyme disease, STARI, anaplasmosis and many other unpleasant conditions.

Artificial turf is a proven solution against pests, and can reduce the chances of a flea and tick infestation in the following ways:

Synthetic Grass Removes Nesting Material

The ideal flea and tick environment is one with plenty of organic matter and soil to nest in. Insects use this material to burrow into and lay their eggs. Before artificial grass is installed, the topsoil is removed, which also removes this nesting material. Without nests, the population of fleas and ticks won’t be able to sustain themselves on the property.

Artificial Grass Remains Dry

Artificial grass doesn’t retain moisture the way that natural grasses do. Water tends to evaporate faster off of synthetic turf and it can be designed with a permeable backing that drains quickly. Add that together and there’s much less moisture for fleas and ticks to grow and multiply.

Artificial Turf Provides Less Cover for Insects

Natural grass tends to collect the kind of debris that fleas, ticks and other insects and pests can use for concealment. Without spots to hide, it’s easier for birds to pick them off and keep the turf free of pests.

Best of all, these benefits are available for all types of properties, no matter their size. That includes everything from single family homes and apartment complexes to commercial properties like golf courses.

Five More Benefits of Artificial Grass

In addition to reduced flea and tick presence, artificial turf provides value to property owners through the following:

Reduced weed growth – Overgrown weeds are also a problem from a pest and insect standpoint. They can accelerate flea and tick reproduction by providing material and concealment, so getting the weeds out can also be helpful. After preparing the project site, turf installation crews will lay down a weed barrier that prevents them from growing back through the turf and getting re-established.
Many people who have a sensitivity to fleas and ticks also have allergies related to weeds. Artificial grass can reduce the presence of all these allergens on your property.
Reduced mold and allergen presence – Synthetic grass removes most of the factors related to mold growth in your backyard environment. It’s a good idea to apply mold remover to your artificial grass occasionally to inhibit mold growth so it’s easier to maintain an allergen-free zone for pets and people.
Reduced yard maintenance and water usage – Artificial grass doesn’t just have allergen and pest-reducing benefits, it also improves the economics and convenience of yard maintenance. No need for mowing, edging and general landscaping makes synthetic turf very appealing for property owners. Turf doesn’t require water either, with the exception of occasionally spraying it down to remove dirt and pollen, or to cool it off. This adds up to major cost savings for property owners.
Improved drainage – We’ve addressed the pest-related benefits of reducing water on your property, but efficient drainage is something Houston and The Woodlands property owners should consider as well. Heavy downpours in the region frequently lead to significant flooding, but artificial grass can drain quickly enough to deal with intense rain events. Depending on your turf’s design, this could be up to 30 or more inches per hour. However, it’s important to invest in professional turf installation, as your property will need to be properly graded to carry drainage away.
Natural-like appearance that is always in season – There are other ways to promote a flea and tick free zone, but most of them require minimizing the “green” on your property, which isn’t aesthetically pleasing. Synthetic grass provides the same (or better) pest minimization benefits on your property while still looking like healthy, natural grass. So, you don’t have to sacrifice a natural look and feel to get rid of pests.

Artificial Grass Helps Avoid Fleas, Ticks and Many Other Issues

Synthetic grass removes all of the factors that accelerate flea and tick infestations. It removes nesting material, reduces moisture and eliminates concealment, so pests aren’t able to sustain themselves. Artificial grass also removes other common allergens, like weeds and mold. If protecting your family and pets from all of the above is important to you, then artificial grass is a proven solution. Reach out to a reputable turf installer in The Woodlands to begin the transformation of your yard and enjoy a pest-free area to play and entertain.