Getting Rid of Fleas and Bugs in Artificial Grass – What You Need To Know

Life is great with artificial grass! With very little maintenance and upkeep, you can enjoy a lawn that looks AND feels just like the real thing all year round…

But every now and then, you might run into a problem you did not expect.

Many homeowners are confused about the risk of fleas and other bugs growing in your turf. Pests such as gnats, ants, mosquitos, spiders, and flies are common for natural grass owners. But what about artificial grass?

Installing fake grass can be a game-changer in how you deal with fleas and bugs. But while it can eliminate or greatly reduce their presence in your yard, you might still experience an occasional tick or flea…

This article covers how you can get rid of them through some easy-to-do artificial lawn care tips.

Can Fleas and Bugs Live in Artificial Grass?

Everybody knows fleas and bugs do well in natural grass. But can they survive in artificial grass too?

The answer is yes: Fleas and bugs CAN live in artificial grass, but it is a lot less likely than in a real lawn.

To thrive, fleas and bugs need the right environment, which is what natural grass offers them. The soil and living matter provides the perfect place to grow, live, feed, and multiply.

When a natural lawn is wet, pests get the moisture and warmth they need. When the grass is cut, these pests can enjoy additional coverage from the debris until it is removed.

If you have dogs, you have probably dealt with fleas before. These too can feel at home in natural grass.

The only way to stop them is by using insecticides and pesticides to kill them on the lawn. And if this is not enough, you have to continue adding these chemicals to the soil and environment.

On the other hand, it is a lot less likely for to have fleas and bugs living and breeding in an artificial lawn than a natural lawn. For one, there is no soil to offer a home and shelter, nor is there plant matter for them to feed on.

Another reason why pests do not tend to thrive in synthetic grass is that it tends to stay dry. Modern artificial grass can drain up to 50 liters of water per square meter, every minute.

Synthetic grass is non-living and, therefore, never dies or decomposes. It is made from inert polymers, which do not attract bugs to it.

Even if you notice some fleas and other bugs in your synthetic lawn, there is no reason to worry. If you take the right steps, you are unlikely to see a full-blown infestation.

The great news is that you do not have to use any pesticides or chemicals, which could be potentially harmful to the environment.

Simply follow our guidelines below, and you’ll never see another bug in your lawn again!

How to Get Rid of Bugs in Artificial Grass

If you notice bugs crawling around in your artificial lawn, don’t panic! It’s not difficult to get rid of them, but you do have to do the right things.

Staying with a bug-infested lawn is not a pleasant thing, whether its a natural or artificial lawn. Fleas from pets and your surroundings can breed and spread, sometimes to other animals and humans!

Other pests such as flies, mosquitos, ants and spiders can also make you feel uncomfortable in your own yard.

Below are the five main things you can do to get rid of bugs in your artificial lawn. You can incorporate these simple steps into your maintenance routine to keep your lawn clean and enjoyable for the whole family.

Sweep Away Debris Regularly

As soon as debris such as leaves and twigs has fallen on your fake grass, be sure to remove it frequently. 

Believe it or not, underneath every piece of loose debris is the perfect breeding ground for all sorts of bugs.

Fallen leaves are great at trapping moisture and bacteria. Over time, organic waste can rot to provide a formidable living and breeding environment for all kinds of bugs. This is especially true in warmer, wetter climates.

The good news: It takes quite a while for this to happen. This means all you have to do is give your lawn a quick sweep every couple of days to keep it free of debris.

Keep Food Away From The Lawn

What’s the number one thing that bugs love the most?

Simple: It’s food!

As far as possible, you should try and keep food away from your lawn because it adds to the debris, attracts bugs to your lawn, and encourages them to settle there.

After all, preventing scraps on your lawn is always easier than plucking them out after the fact.

This doesn’t mean you can’t have the occasional picnic or barbeque – Simply make sure to clean up all the scraps, crumbs, and spills following your snacking.

Rinse Your Lawn Regularly

With an ordinary garden hose, you can rinse your lawn regularly to wash away microbes, bacteria, and any bugs that are just starting to make their home in your grass.

As you wash this unwanted dirt away, your lawn is going to be left bug-free and looking cleaner. The best part – Everything drains through the backing on your grass and into the ground.

We recommend doing this on a sunny day, so that your lawn dries faster.

Ensure Good Drainage

Water is a big factor in pest problems. In particular, mosquitos like areas where stagnant water puddles have formed.

When the grass is moist, mosquitos can come to hide in the lawn during warmer months. And let’s face it – There’s nothing more annoying than getting bitten by these pests repeatedly while they are trying to enjoy a picnic or sunbathe.

In our experience, mosquito problems are usually attributed to poor drainage in your artificial lawn. This causes puddles of stagnant water to form on the surface.

The worst part is these puddles can quickly become breeding grounds for mosquitos. And they won’t stop coming until you go straight to the cause of the problem.

By ensuring that your lawn installation has good drainage, you can usually eliminate the problem of mosquito breeding.

Check for puddles after a rainy day, and inspect the spots on which water fails to drain. Once you’ve identified these spots, it’s best to consult an expert on how to proceed.

Check Your Dogs For Fleas

While fleas cannot survive for very long in a clean lawn, your artificial grass provides a place where they can be transferred from one dog to another. In fact, they can even bite humans while they are crawling around between the grass fibers.

Your furry friends can bring fleas into your home from outside. That’s why it is important to identify where they come from, and avoid bringing your dogs there.

And it goes without saying that you should make it a habit to routinely check your dogs for fleas together with the usual routine grooming activities.

Conclusion

Artificial grass is inherently bug-proof. With zero organic materials and a quick drying time, it is generally rare for bugs to find a home in it.

That being said, it is still possible to run into bug problems if the conditions are present.

When your artificial lawn is kept free from debris, is regularly rinsed, and has good drainage, you can stop and prevent bugs from breeding in it.

So follow the guidelines above, and you’ll be able to relax on a clean, bug-free lawn without a single worry!