Lawn Chemicals to Kill Hookworms

Borax

• Sprinkle borax on any surfaces in your yard, including grass, lawn and concrete. The borax does not kill plants, trees or other vegetation, but it does kill the hookworms living in the surrounding area. Place a thin coating of the borax on the lawn and reapply after every rainstorm. The rain will wash away any traces of the borax.

Saltwater Solutions

• A solution of salt and water is effective against hookworms. Pour 1.5 lbs. salt into a large plastic bucket and top with 1 gallon cold water. Stir the mixture until the salt completely dissolves in the water. Pour the mixture over your lawn, using 1 pint of saltwater for every square foot of your lawn. The saltwater kills the worms by removing moisture, and the hookworms die of dehydration. It should only take one to two applications to kill the worms. Reapply the mixture at least once every week for two weeks and reapply again after rainfall. A high concentration of saltwater may damage the lawn, however, evidenced by the soil developing a crust on its surface that is yellow, brown or white.

Cleaning After Pets

• Hookworms and ringworm feed off of animal feces and debris left in your yard or home. Even if you care for your pets properly, leaving any fecal matter behind is an invitation for hookworms. Every time your pet uses the bathroom outside, clean up any feces the pet leaves. Check your yard frequently, at least once a month, looking for any signs of debris left behind by other pets living in your neighborhood and feces from wild animals. If you live in a rural setting or the country, then frequent cleaning is even more important because animals living in the woods or on neighboring properties may use your yard as a restroom. Clean up after your pets inside, including in the litter box, because hookworms may live inside.

Treating Pets

• Visit a veterinarian as soon as your dog or cat exhibits signs of an infection. Dogs may scoot across the floor on hind legs because the parasitical infection causes itchiness. The veterinarian treats the infection with antibiotic medications that kill the hookworms living inside your pet. Follow up the treatment by treating your lawn to remove any remaining hookworms.