How to Kill Hookworms in Grass

Hookworm larvae are often found in damp dirt hidden by blades of grass. Once the worms hatch, they will burrow through skin or are ingested when your pet eats grass. Hookworms are parasites that attach themselves to the intestines and feed off blood. Dogs and cats are more susceptible to hookworms, but people can become infected as well. Hookworms are often picked up from walking barefoot in grass that the parasite has infested. While hookworms don't damage your grass, they are a dangerous parasite. At the first sign of infection, take your pet to the veterinarian for treatment. Treat your lawn as soon as possible, once your pet has started treatment, to reduce the risk of re-contaminating your pet and yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubber gloves
  • Sodium borate or borax
  • Fertilizer spreader
  • Rake
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean up any feces in your yard using a "pooper scooper," shovel or plastic bag. Bag up the feces, dispose of the bags and wash any tools with soap and water that the feces came in contact with.

    • 2

      Mow your lawn if your grass is overgrown. Bag up the grass clippings and then dispose of the bags. Do not use the grass clippings as compost, as the feces may contain hookworms or eggs.

    • 3

      Pour a bag of sodium borate, or borax, into a fertilizer spreader. If you do not have a fertilizer spreader, put on protective gloves and sprinkle the powder on your grass. Push the fertilizer spreader over your grass, coating the lawn with the powder. Cover the lawn with the powder, distributing 10 pounds per 100 square feet.

    • 4

      Rake your grass if the powder did not evenly spread. Raking the grass will also help to distribute the powder so that it is not exposed to your animal's paws.

    • 5

      Clean up any feces immediately that your pet defecates onto the lawn, to prevent new eggs from hatching.