Parvo is a highly contagious virus that can live in the environment for years. While parvo mainly affects dogs, it can also infect cats and other animals. Getting rid of parvo in your yard takes time and diligence, but you can disinfect your property and prevent re-infection. Here is a comprehensive guide on eliminating parvo from your outdoor spaces.
What is Canine Parvovirus?
Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. There are two main variants of the parvo virus that infect dogs:
- Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) – This is the most common variant that causes hemorrhagic gastroenteritis in dogs. The symptoms include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, and fever.
- Canine parvovirus type 2c (CPV-2c) – This is a newer strain of the virus that has emerged in recent years. The symptoms are similar but tend to be milder than CPV-2.
Parvo is extremely hardy and can persist in the environment for months or even years. It can be transmitted via contact with infected feces, vomit, or contaminated objects and surfaces. Dogs usually contract parvo by coming into contact with infected feces in parks, yards, sidewalks, and other outdoor spaces.
How is Parvo Transmitted?
The parvo virus spreads through direct or indirect contact with infected dog feces and vomit. Here are some of the main ways parvo transmission occurs:
- Dog sniffing or ingesting infected feces or vomit
- Walking in yards or parks contaminated with parvo
- Contact with faces on shoes, toys, food bowls, leashes, etc.
- Grooming tools used on infected dogs
Dogs can also carry the virus on their fur without showing symptoms and spread it to other dogs. In shelters and boarding kennels, parvo easily infects large numbers of dogs living in close quarters.
How Long Does Parvo Virus Live in the Environment?
Parvo is an extremely hardy virus that can survive for extended periods outside of a host:
- Up to 7-14 months in ideal conditions
- At least 5-7 months in moderate temperatures and weather
- Up to 2-3 months in summer temperatures
- Indefinitely when frozen in feces or soil
The parvo virus thrives in cool, shaded environments away from direct sunlight. Cold weather allows it to remain infectious for many months. The virus persists longer in soil, grass, concrete, and other porous surfaces where organic matter protects it.
What Environments are High Risk for Parvo?
Some outdoor locations pose a particularly high contamination risk for parvo virus. Areas to be cautious of include:
- Parks and walking trails
- Dog parks
- Shelters and boarding kennels
- Grooming salons
- Veterinary clinics
- Yards frequented by stray or unvaccinated dogs
The higher the population density of dogs in an area, the more likely parvo contamination is present. Take extra precautions in public places where unknown dogs frequent and may leave feces.
How to Disinfect Your Yard of Parvo
If a parvo infection has occurred in your yard or neighborhood, you’ll need to take steps to eliminate the virus on your property. Here are some tips for disinfecting your yard and landscaping:
Remove dog feces
Eliminating all dog waste is the first step. The parvo virus replicates in the intestines and is shed at extremely high levels in feces. Pick up and dispose of all stools immediately.
Clean up vomit
Vomit also contains the parvo virus. Clean up any vomit promptly using gloves and dispose of it securely wrapped in plastic.
Spray yard with disinfectant
Spray down all landscaping, grass, pavers, dirt, patios, etc. with a high quality parvocide disinfectant. Let the disinfectant soak for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
Remove soil and sod
In high traffic areas, remove 2-3 inches of topsoil where dogs defecated. Replace with fresh sod or soil. This eliminates residual organic matter harboring parvo.
Power wash surfaces
Use a power washer to clean patios, sidewalks, driveways, and other hard surfaces contaminated by feces, vomit, or urine.
Change sand in pits
Replace any sand in dog digging pits with fresh, clean sand to prevent continued exposure.
Keep dogs off property
Restrict dog access to your yard during disinfection and for at least 1-2 months afterwards.
Let vegetation die off
Allow any grass or plants to die back in winter cold weather. This further reduces parvo levels in soil and landscaping.
Best Disinfectants for Parvo Virus
Using an effective parvocide is critical to eliminate the virus from your property. Here are some best options:
| Disinfectant | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bleach solution | Mix 1 part bleach to 30 parts water. Must be prepared fresh daily. |
| Pheno-tec | Professional veterinary grade disinfectant proven effective against parvo. |
| Parvaid | Specialty parvo disinfectant used by shelters and kennels. |
| Trifectant | Broad spectrum disinfectant spray that kills parvo virus. |
| Accelerated hydrogen peroxide products | Look for peroxide concentrations of 0.5% or higher. |
Carefully follow all label dilution and contact time instructions when using disinfectants. Never mix chemical products together.
Tips for Preventing Parvo Re-infection
Once you have thoroughly disinfected your property, take ongoing precautions to avoid re-introducing parvo virus from outside sources:
- Keep dogs off property for at least 2 months after disinfecting.
- Test new sod, soil, sand before using in landscaping.
- Plant parvo-resistant ground cover like astroturf or mulch.
- Require dog walkers to use pavers and avoid sod.
- Enforce sidewalk dog waste pickup rules.
- Ask neighbors to help prevent local parvo contamination.
- Quarantine and test new dogs before allowing in yard.
With diligence, you can protect your yard from further parvo infection even if cases occur nearby. Be proactive in safeguarding your property.
When is it Safe for Dogs After Parvo Infection?
It takes sustained effort to ensure your yard is parvo-free after an infection. Use the following timeline as a guide before allowing dog access again:
- Clean up all feces – Immediately
- Disinfect property – Within 24 hours
- Repeat disinfection 2 more times – Every 2 weeks
- Test soil samples – After 2-3 months
- Introduce new sod/plants – After 3-4 months
- Allow dog yard access – At least 4-6 months
Err on the side of caution and wait until no residual viral contamination remains. Test soil samples and use preventative landscaping to protect your yard long-term.
How to Test Your Soil for Parvo
Before fully reopening your yard to dogs, testing soil samples for parvo is recommended. Here is the process:
- Collect small samples from multiple areas of the yard, especially high dog traffic zones.
- Place each sample in a separate, labeled plastic bag.
- Contact your veterinarian to arrange parvo PCR testing at a diagnostic laboratory.
- Remove and replace any areas that test positive.
- Retest in another 1-2 months until all samples are negative.
Confirming parvo-free soil gives you peace of mind that your disinfection efforts have succeeded. Continue testing periodically as a monitoring safeguard.
Landscaping to Prevent Parvo Reinfection
Your landscaping design can help prevent parvo recontamination after disinfecting your yard. Some good Parvo-resistant options include:
- Artificial turf instead of natural grass
- Paver stones, cement, or rubber mulch
- Gravel, wood chips, or rock beds
- Asphalt for driveways and runs
- Raised garden beds with treated lumber
Avoid dirt, sod, and natural grass in dog areas. Stick with solid, impervious surfaces that are easily disinfected if needed.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove and Replace a Lawn for Parvo?
If parvo contamination is severe, removing and replacing your entire lawn may be necessary. Here are typical costs:
- Sod removal – $0.20-$0.35 per sq.ft
- Dumping disposal fees – $30-$50 per cubic yard
- New sod – $0.30-$0.60 per sq.ft
- Grading/preparation – $0.15-$0.30 per sq.ft
- Total for 1,000 sq.ft lawn – $550-$1,100
Get quotes from several landscaping companies. Replacing your grass is an investment against future parvo infection.
Conclusion
Parvo virus is highly resilient and difficult to eliminate from the environment. With concerted cleaning, disinfection, and landscaping upgrades, you can fully rid your yard of the virus. Be vigilant in preventing reinfection and talk to your veterinarian if parvo is impacting your neighborhood.