The Grass Doctor

Malathion for fleas in lawns? Yes?

When my daughter was two and the fleas in the yard, house, and on the cat were countless and relentlessly munching on her entire body, my dermatologist told me to spray the yard with malathion. I took care of the fleas in the house and the lawn and it was pretty much under control. I kept maintaining the yard and the cats were clean, so it must have been working. Now, I have new kittens and a new-to-me house, and am just now starting to see fleabags instead of kittens :) I bought malathion to spray the yard, then I'll bathe the cats, and spray some organic stuff on the carpets. Problem is, the bottle of malathion says plants, trees, shrubs, fruit and vegetable plants included! but NOTHING about lawns! Sidewalks, fences, foundations, yea, but now I want to know if this stuff will harm the lawn. Anyone know? Thanks!

Public Comments

1. Malathion has been around for a long time and will not harm lawns. More important is to treat your animals with a good flea product such as Pet Armor that will kill the fleas on them since the fleas have to feed on the animal in order to survive.
2. I prefer using safer, non-toxic flean control for my 11 cats. I apply nematodes to the lawn and it works well. Here is a link to the product that I use here in Michigan. There are 2 types of nematodes, one works in cooler climates like mine and one for warmer climates. Easy to apply. http://www.arbico-organics.com/category/beneficial-nematodes
3. it will not harm the lawn ..bifenthrin also works well has a wide spectrum of controlled insects including fleas ticks ants spiders mosquitoes and is a fairly low in toxicity and has a residual effect, once a month treatments on the lawn and around the foundation can help cut down on insect problems.i suggest frontline for pets it works well and has been around a long time you can never use the word safe but its pretty close to it....state certified pesticide applicator fyi spectracide brand is labled for use on the lawn
4. No but it can harm you ! i spent 3 days in the hosp due to a pin prick on my finger with it,
5. Malathion has changed over the years, and unfortunately it is no longer able to be used in the lawn. For fleas, you could use Ortho Bug B Gon MAX Lawn and Garden Insect Killer. Just spray the lawn, allow it to dry, and then it is safe for you kittens to go back on the lawn. The link below provides some info on fleas. Hope this helps you!!