| You've seen the commercials and maybe you've | | | | cypermethrin. |
| bought the products... those once-a-month type flea | | | | Like the chrysanthemum flower, nature provides us |
| and tick killer products you drip onto your pet. They | | | | with insecticides that aren't skull and cross bone |
| are a bit expensive, but they do tend to kill fleas. | | | | poisons. |
| Why? | | | | Consider a less toxic (and cheaper) remedy... |
| Quite simply because they're POISON... and not just | | | | Garlic (dogs only). When your dog eats garlic the |
| to fleas. | | | | smell is released through the skin. Fleas don't like that |
| These products use pyrethoids - synthetic pesticides | | | | smell and move on to a friendlier host. |
| developed to mimic pyrethrum. | | | | Brewer's Yeast. Like garlic, fleas are repelled by the |
| Pyrethrum is a natural pesticide produced by | | | | smell. |
| chrysanthemum flowers. | | | | Apple Cider Vinegar. This makes the skin more acidic |
| Pyrethoids - the synthetic chemicals - are effective | | | | which is flea hostile. You can add a spoonful to your |
| at killing fleas and ticks, but not without some not so | | | | dogs water bowl or dilute it 50% with water in a |
| pretty side effects that don't get mentioned inn the | | | | spray bottle and spray your pet. |
| commercials. | | | | Citrus spray repellent. Use lemon and/or orange. Use |
| According to the US EPA ( Environmental Protection | | | | one lemon or orange per pint of water. Cut up the |
| Agency), more than half the serious medical pesticide | | | | fruit in quarters. Boil the water, pour it over the fruit, |
| reactions for pets reported are from pyrethoid | | | | cover and let sit over night. Use the mixture in a |
| products compared to about 6% from non-pyrethoid | | | | spray bottle and spray over your pet being careful of |
| products. | | | | eyes. |
| In 2008 alone the EPA redeived 44,263 reports of | | | | Herbs from the mint family especially catnip and |
| harmful reactions ranging from skin irritations, burns | | | | pennyroyal. You can dry or get dried herbs and make |
| and welts to seizues and even 600 deaths. Those | | | | a tea. Again, put the mixture inn a spray bottle. |
| are the reported cases. Many - especially less serious | | | | Eucalyptus oil, citronella oil and lavender oil also repel |
| reactions - go unreported. | | | | fleas. Create a spray mixture with 1-5 drops of any |
| Pyrethoids are a known carcinogen. They can | | | | oil or combination or oils mixed with 1 tablespoon of |
| damage the thyroid gland, the liver, the immune | | | | olive oil or almond oil and 1 cup of water. You'll need |
| system and the reproductive system. They have | | | | to shake this well each time before spraying. |
| neurological effects which can result in drooling, loss | | | | Any one or combination of these natural alternatives |
| of motor control, convulsions and seizures. | | | | are much safer and healthier for your companion. |
| If you want to use flea products, check the label. | | | | They're also cheaper... and in most cases smell much |
| Avoid products that contain ingredients ending in | | | | nicer. |
| "thrin"... such as bifenthrin, permethrin and | | | | |