You won't find any fleas in this photo! Fleas need heat, darkness and moisture to be happy and thrive. A shady spot under your deck, where your AC condensation line drains, in the heat of summer would be a more welcoming spot for fleas... especially if you have bird feeders (and the mice that are drawn to the dropped seed) hanging around.

Correcting any drainage issues around your house is a good first step in letting fleas know that they are unwelcome. Building up the soil next to the house so that run off flows away from your foundation will make a huge difference in creating a dry (and flea unfriendly) space where you and your furry friends hang out. We add garden lime to the yard, too, to dry and sweeten the clay soil we have here. Lime also makes it hard for parasitic worms to hang out, and the grass is very happy with the calcium that lime provides.

Reducing shaded areas will help, too. I put up inexpensive lights under my deck, to make that spot less appealing to fleas. the dogs like it, too, at night when they go outside. Cutting back low hanging limbs, and generally thinning trees can work, too. Mowing regularly will also help keep ticks away, so bonus!

You can't do a lot to bring the outside temperature down, but you can improve air flow. Clearing away brush and fallen limbs is a chore around here, because most of our yard is wooded.

And for a fragrant and attractive deterrent to fleas, try planting sage, basil or marigolds around your house. Other plants, too, can make fleas uncomfortable, but be sure that they aren't toxic to your dog as well before planting them.

Check out my ideas for safe inside deterrents, too!