To print, select "Print" from the "File" menu in your browser.
This page can be found on the web at:
_http://www.thegreenhttp://wwwhttp://wwhttp://www.thhttp://www.thhttp://wwhttp
://w&email=gg_
(http://www.thegreenguide.com/products/Pest_Control/Fleas?source=email_gg_20080820&email=gg)
____________________________________
Fleas
What To Look For
Fleas are a nuisance pest that can carry disease organisms and parasites.
They can also cause allergies for you or your pet. But flea powders, flea
repellents, insecticidal shampoos or room foggers contain chemical pesticides
that
may do more harm than the pests they are designed to kill. Opt for the
following less-toxic control methods:
Flea Combs
Flea combs are one of the healthiest ways to keep infestations under
control, since they involve no chemicals whatsoever. Use combs in the bathtub
or
outside in a tub of soapy water, which will kill fleas as they fall or are
combed off your pet. Dunk the comb in the soapy water after each run-through
to
kill fleas. (Note: You can find these at all pet supply stores, so we didn’t
include any on our Product Comparisons page.)
Flea Traps
Chemical-free but energy intensive, flea traps use a lightbulb to lure pests
to sticky surfaces. They’re available commercially, but you can make your
own by hanging a lightbulb 6 to 12 inches above a pan of soapy water or a
sticky surface.
Herbal Flea Collars
These don’t kill fleas but they prevent the bugs from jumping on your pet.
If there are pregnant women or pregnant pets in your home, avoid herbal
collars and products that contain pennyroyal oil, which is an abortive herb.
Desiccating Dusts
Less toxic than chemical pesticides, desiccating dusts kill insects by
dehydrating them. The three most common are diatomaceous earth (DE), silica
aerogel and boric acid. However, these dusts can irritate the lungs if
inhaled, so
wear a dust mask during application and vacuum afterwards to pick up extra
dust. Also, read labels carefully to make sure you are using a DE intended for
pest control, rather than a glassified DE (used in swimming pool filters),
which can cause lung disease. Silica aerogel and some formulations of DE can
be applied directly to pets and their bedding—read label instructions
carefully.
Shopping and Usage Tips
Flea Season
In most climates, fleas are a seasonal problem that usually starts when
humidity and temperatures are optimal for flea eggs to hatch. Learn when your
local flea season is before subjecting your pet to flea treatments that may be
unnecessary.
Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)
In addition to the control methods in What To Look For and our Product
Comparisons chart, you may want to talk to your vet about IGRs. Fed to pets
orally, these drugs (Program and Sentinel, for example) eliminate pests by
interrupting their lifecycle and preventing their reproduction; the chemicals
are
passed to fleas when they feed on the animal. They don’t kill fleas but they
do
prevent eggs from hatching or developing successfully. While there are some
concerns about IGRs' toxicity toward companion animals and non-target
wildlife and aquatic animals, they work in a highly targeted manner and are
currently believed to be safer for pets and humans than chemical sprays or
shampoos.
You can also find IGR sprays for your yard that don’t need a vet’s
prescription. However, be aware that many IGR sprays have detrimental effects
on
aquatic life.
Controlling Infestations
There are ways to prevent flea outbreaks and control infestations without
having to resort to chemical sprays:
* Wash your pet’s bedding in hot water about once a week. (Be sure to
pick up bedding by the corners so eggs and larvae don’t scatter.)
* Vacuum every two to three days during flea season.
* During a bad flea outbreak, vacuum daily and pay attention to cracks
and crevices in floors and upholstered furniture. Dispose of the vacuum bag
immediately to prevent flea eggs from hatching inside it and re-infesting
your house.
* Keep your pet out of hard-to-clean areas of the house, like the
attic and basement.
* In the yard, keep the grass short where your pet spends a lot of
time.
* Bathe your pet regularly; ordinary pet shampoo and water will kill
adult fleas so there's no need for insecticidal products.
Fleas are attracted to dry, chapped skin. Therefore, keeping your pet’s skin
healthy is key to preventing infestations. Talk to your vet about better
shampoos, or try rubbing pure aloe vera into dry, irritated skin until it
clears
up.
DIY Flea Repellents
For dogs, slice up a lemon (skin and all) and pour one pint of nearly
boiling water over it. Let it sit overnight. Strain the liquid and pour into a
spray bottle. Spritz your dog generously and rub it in. Citrus oil kills and
repels fleas. You can use this solution on pet bedding, too.
Cedar-filled pillows and beds naturally repel fleas, as do cedar blocks
placed under and between couch cushions and other furniture. The scent
eventually
fades, so renew it with cedar oil drops.
Fleas also dislike the scent of lavender, mint, rosemary and sweet woodruff,
so you can use sachets of these herbs in furniture, too.
Don’t feed your pets DIY flea remedies containing garlic. According to the
ASPCA, garlic can cause gastrointestinal irritation and may lead to red blood
cell damage.
Product Comparisons
If mechanical flea-control methods have failed and you need something
stronger to keep fleas off your pets and out of your home, try one of the
products
below.
Wondering what these table headings mean? They're the criteria we used to
choose and evaluate the products in the chart below. Learn more about their
importance in What To Look For. Name ACTIVE INGREDIENT MSRP Purchasing
Information Reader Rating Biocare Flea Trap -- $20.24 _www.amazon.com_
(http://www.amazon.com/)
Avg. Rating
Enforcer Overnite Flea Trap -- $12.99 _www.acehardware.www_
(http://www.acehardware.com/) , 866-290-5334
Avg. Rating
Victor The Ultimate Flea Trap -- $13.95 _www.planetnatural.www_
(http://www.planetnatural.com/) , 800-289-6656
Avg. Rating
Castor & Pollux Play Dead Herbal Collar (for dogs and cats) oils of
pennyroyal, eucalyptus, cedarwood, citronella and rue $4.99
_www.castorpolluxpetwww._ (http://www.castorpolluxpet.com/) ,800-875-7518
Avg. Rating
Natural Animal Dog Flea Collar oils of citronella, cedarwood, lemongrass,
rosemary and sesame $7.99 _www.amazon.com_ (http://www.amazon.com/)
Avg. Rating
PetGuard Herbal Collars (for dogs and cats) oils of pennyroyal, eucalyptus,
cedarwood, citronella, rue and rosemary $4.19 _www.petfooddirect.www_
(http://www.petfooddirect.com/) , 800-865-1333
Avg. Rating
Concern Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer diatomaceous earth
$6.50/1.5 lbs. _www.planetnatural.www_ (http://www.planetnatural.com/) ,
800-289-6656
Avg. Rating
Dr. Goodpet Outside Flea-Control diatomaceous earth $7.95/1.5 lbs.
_www.goodpet.www_ (http://www.goodpet.com/) , 800-222-9932
Avg. Rating
MotherEarth D diatomaceous earth $15.50/8 oz. _www.domyownpestcontwww.dom_
(http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/) , 866-581-7378
Avg. Rating
Dr. Goodpet Inside Flea-Control boric acid $12.95/1.5 lbs.
_www.goodpet.www_ (http://www.goodpet.com/) , 800-222-9932
Avg. Rating
The Ecology Works Dust Mite and Flea Control boric acid/borate compound
$9.95/8 oz. _www.dustmitex.www_ (http://www.dustmitex.com/) , 888-353-2649
Avg. Rating
Fleas Away Boric Acid Carpet Treatment boric acid $16.99/1 lb.
_www.amazon.com_ (http://www.amazon.com/)
Avg. Rating
Flea Stoppers Carpet Powder boric acid $45.50/5 lbs.
_www.planetnatural.www_ (http://www.planetnatural.com/) , 800-289-6656
Avg. Rating
Pic Boric Acid Roach Killer III boric acid $4.20/16 oz. _www.pic-corp.www_
(http://www.pic-corp.com/) , 800-799-7302
Avg. Rating
Beneficial Nematodes nematodes $24.90 and up _www.biconet.www_
(http://www.biconet.com/) , 615-370-4301
Avg. Rating
Grub-Away Nematodes nematodes $17.95 and up _www.gardensalive.www_
(http://www.gardensalive.com/) , 812-537-8650
Avg. Rating
Lawn & Garden Scanmask nematodes $41.04 _www.biologicco.www_
(http://www.biologicco.com/)
Avg. Rating
The Backstory
Tiny fleas can cause big problems for your pets. They carry tapeworms, and
too many bites can lead to a condition called fleabite anemia. They don’t
exactly make life very comfortable for humans either. But the chemicals used
in
flea shampoos, dips, room foggers, sprays and collars can be equally dangerous
and irritating.
Many of the chemical pesticides used in flea control products fall into
either the pyrethroid or carbamate families.
Carbamates, including the active ingredients carbaryl and propoxur, work by
disrupting the nervous systems of insects, and unfortunately, they have the
same effect on birds—the Audubon Society reports that carbamates have poisoned
over 100 bird species—and fish. They also interfere with pet and human
nervous systems. Young children are particularly susceptible, since they crawl
around on carpeting that traps pesticide residues, and have a propensity for
hugging family pets then putting their hands in their mouths (carbamates are
more hazardous if ingested orally than if absorbed through skin). These
pesticides damage their developing systems, and their bodies absorb more
chemicals,
pound for pound, than adult bodies.
Pyrethroids are synthetic versions of pyrethrins, the latter of which are
naturally occurring pest deterrents found in chrysanthemums. Experts have
relatively few concerns over the acute toxicity of pyrethroids, but they can
trigger skin and respiratory irritation. Over the long term, pyrethroids may
interfere with the immune system (which can lead to allergy problems), and
there
is some evidence that they disrupt human hormone functions. Complicating their
use in flea powders and sprays is the fact that the body absorbs them more
readily via inhalation than swallowing or skin exposure. Pyrethroids are also
highly toxic to aquatic organisms, which suffer their ill effects after you
wash pet shampoo down the drain.
Avoid products with ingredients ending in -thrin (i.e. permethrin,
sumithrin, bioallethrin, etc.), and never use permethrin-containi (i.e.
permethrin,
sumithrin, bioallethrin, etc.), and never use permethrin-containi<WBR>ng
products on cats, unless your vet says it’s okay. Cats are very sensitive to
permethrin and can experience mus
Because they’re so hazardous, most organophosphate pesticides have been
banned by the EPA for residential use. However, one, the possible human
carcinogen tetrachlorvinphos, is still allowed for use in flea collars and
pet
sprays.
Related Articles
Humane Society of the United States. _What You Should Know About Flea and
Tick Products_
(http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/what_you_should_know_about_flea_and_tick_products/index.html)
. May 2008.
Natural Resources Defense Council. _Pet Products May Harm Both Pets and
Humans_ (http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/npets.asp) .
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides: _www.pesticide.www_
(http://www.pesticide.org/)
PETA’s AskCarla.com. _What is the best way to get rid of fleas and ticks?_
(http://www.askcarla.com/answers.asp?QuestionandanswerID=232)
____________________________________
© 1996-2008 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.
(http://www.wunderground.com/US/NY/Carmel.html?bannertypeclick=gizmotimetempbig)
**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel
deal here.
(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)
