Fleas
Top 7 ways to make fleas flee
by
Ann Brightman
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6. Outside the house
 In warm weather, fleas can
live quite happily in your backyard,
ready to jump on your
companion as soon as he walks
past. Clear the area of any
piles of dead leaves,
brush, or other yard
and garden debris
where fleas can
hide, and keep dog
houses or cat enclosures
clean and dry.
Consider buying beneficial
nematodes – these
are naturally occurring
microscopic worms that kill fleas by
infesting their larvae. The Steinernema
(Sc or Sf) varieties are the best.
Nematodes are usually available in a
pellet or powdered form; just mix them
with water and spread them over the
area you wish to treat, using a watering
can or sprayer.
7. Topicals
For dogs with fleas, essential oils
can make an effective alternative to
chemical spot-ons. Tea tree oil
is especially effective and
will kill fleas when used
as a topical. Keep in
mind that essential
oils are very strong
and should be used
sparingly. It’s best to
dilute them with some
water rather than use
them neat. Consult with a professional aromatherapist for
more detailed advice. Again, do
not use these oils on cats. Use
aromatic hydrosols instead. A
hydrosol is not the same as
a diluted essential oil: it’s the
water (sometimes called floral
water) that’s left over after an
essential oil is produced using
steam or water distillation. Herbal
flea powders and collars are
another alternative – be sure to
get a natural product.
In many regions, it’s still early
in the year to be thinking about
fleas. But the sooner you put
a prevention program in place,
the better your companion will
cope if he does pick up a few fleas
this summer, and the easier it will
be to keep them under control.
Conventional flea products
When dealing with a serious flea infestation, it can be tempting to resort to
chemical treatments. While it’s true that some of these products may work
faster than more natural alternatives, you pay for it by exposing your animal
(and yourself) to toxic substances that can have a variety of adverse effects.
In addition, overuse of pesticides can actually cause immunity in new
generations of fleas. It’s therefore best to avoid commercial flea powders,
collars and sprays altogether.
The same issues apply to non-OTC chemical spot-ons. Here’s a brief overview
of a few of the ingredients used in these products, and the potential health
problems that have been linked to them.
Fibronil: skin irritation, thyroid cancer, skin irritation and damage to organs,
nervous system and reproductive system
Imidaclorprid: organ damage, and neurological or reproductive disorders
Selamectin: ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors,
drooling and lethargy
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Published in
the April/May 2007 issue of Animal
Wellness |
