If you have a hookworm or roundworm infestation in your backyard, the probable culprit is your pet. If she is infested with these parasites, she can pass eggs through her feces. Without proper preventive methods to clear your yard of larvae that have hatched, infection can easily occur among your family members. Children are more susceptible to worm infections, as they are more apt to play outdoors. If you suspect you have worms in your yard, take the following measures to treat your pet and ensure proper sanitation of your backyard.
Instructions
1. Clean the backyard of your pet's feces daily, and designate one area for your pet to do his "business"; this will help contain the problem.
2. Remove excess foliage in your backyard until the problem is resolved. According to Robert A. Dunn and Ellis C. Greiner of the University of Florida, hookworm larvae can't withstand sun, so limit patches where sunlight can't "disinfect" the area.
3. Use a solution of salt brine to clean gravel or concrete areas and ground that is bare. Mix about 2 lbs. of salt with 1 gallon of water to disinfect contaminated areas.
4. Get your pet treated for worms in order to stanch the problem once and for all.
5. Try using diatomaceous earth (available at some pet and health-food stores) in your yard after cleaning up fecal matter, spreading some of this mixture over the soiled area.
Tags: your backyard, your yard