Question
We have a very small enclosed yard in Southern California that is infested with fleas.  I recently adopted a 6 week old chihuahua mix puppy (2 1/2 pounds in weight).  I really need to de-flea the backyard, but don't know what to use.  There is a healthy honeybee hive back there that we don't want to harm either.  What will kill the fleas but not hurt the tiny puppy or the bees?

Answer
Hi Maria, Make a trip to your local garden center and look for a product with an organic oil that is labeled for turf use.  It could contain one or more of the following:  Neem, canola, sesame, clove, cedar or your nurseryman may have another one available for your area.  Oils smother insects, so a directed spray to your turf and the soil surface in your beds should kill any fleas that come in contact with the spray. You'll need to spray at 5-7 day intervals for a couple of weeks as eggs hatch and larvae mature.  Don't spray your shrubs or the hive and the bees should be fine.  Keep puppy off the area until dry.  Just as a precaution, I'd call either your local bee keeping society or your county agent and see if they have another idea.  California has stricter pesticide regulations than most states so you might want to talk to a local authority also.  Jim