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| Natural Flea Control | |||||||||
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Fleas in the home can be easily and effectively eradicated without the use of poisons. The age-old scourge of fleas, usually associated with pet dogs or cats, can affect any home. And while chemical-based flea treatments can be effective, they may pose health hazards to occupants as well as pets. Natural and non-toxic flea control methods are safer options. |
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| "Avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothing." "Keep out of reach from children." "Dust released by collar is a cholinesterase inhibitor." (Cholinesterase inhibitors lead to an accumulation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.This produces paralysis and then death in insects.) These are common precautionary statements on many readily available flea treatments. But while the product may be effective at killing fleas, what is its effect on your pet's health, or your family? Surveys show that as many as 50% of American families report using some kind of flea and tick control product on pets, exposing millions of children to toxic chemicals on a daily basis. Initial research also shows that thousands of pets may be sickened or die each year as a result of chronic low-dose exposure to organophosphate-based insecticides through their flea and tick collars. But while there are countless stories of pets, and even people, who have suffered the ill effects of flea treatments, finding alternatives can be a problem for most people. A few facts about fleas: • Fleas are similar to cockroaches in that they adapt to their environment. They become stronger and more immune to the popular commercial flea control chemicals with each generation. • Most of the fleas are living in your pet's environment, rather than in its fur. Every flea found on your pet may mean that there approximately 30 more living in your home. • A single flea can lay as many as 60 eggs per day. The lifespan of a flea is about 90 days, but the hibernating cocoon can survive up to year without feeding. Controlling fleas does require some effort, but there are safer and effective ways to control fleas than chemical-based commercial flea control products. Before reaching for pesticides, see if these safer, non-toxic methods help control flea problems. |
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| Controlling fleas indoors Groom housepets and check for fleas Combing your cat or dog daily with a flea comb is an important part of flea control. Bathing animals regularly is also advised. There is no need to use chemical flea shampoos. A water bath with a gentle soap that won't irritate their skin is sufficient to eliminate existing fleas. Set a trap You can trap fleas by placing a dish of soapy water under a night light near where your pet sleeps. Fleas are attracted to warm light and will drown in the soapy water. This works for adult fleas only, but with diligence, can be effective reducing the flea population. Fleas already residing on your pet aren't likely to leave, so you will still need to flea comb and/or bathe them in a mild shampoo (even a baby shampoo will work as fleas don't survive well in soapy water). |
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left: electric flea trap sticky pad, after one week right: same trap showing capture decline after two weeks |
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| Sanitize your pet's environment Fleas lay their eggs everywhere -- in carpets, curtains, upholstery, animal bedding, cracks and crevices. Destroying the fleas' eggs by thorough weekly vacuuming and frequent washing of animal bedding goes to the source of the problem and will help eliminate the flea population in your house. After vacuuming, be sure to replace the bag right away and take the old bag out of the house. Keeping clutter on the floor to a minimum also will deprive the fleas of hiding places. |
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| Controlling fleas outdoors Nematodes Flea control nematodes, however, are not uniformly effective in all outdoor environments. For example, results of flea control nematode trials done under artificial conditions in North Carolina, California, Texas, and Louisiana have been very promising. They sometimes have provided more than 95% control of flea larvae in carefully prepared soil mixes. However, they were much less effective in several preliminary trials conducted in Florida. Although research is inconclusive, evidence suggests that nematodes are most effective against fleas in moist, sandy soil. Cold winter weather will significantly reduce the population of nematodes in the soil. In most cases, nematodes will become dormant during cold weather, and any survivors would be few in number to provide adequate insect control the following spring. If your flea problems return the following year, another application of nematodes may be necessary. Be extra vigilant during peak flea season Homeowners tend to see more fleas during hot humid summers, with a peak in August and September. During these months, pay more attention to grooming your pet and observing if fleas are present. During the dry winter season, fleas are not as common. Often, fleas will remain dormant during this period as pupae a cocoon-like stage. |
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Even if all the ingredients in a flea repellent product are natural, this doesn't ensure that they won't be toxic to your pet. For instance, d'Limonene, which is derived from citrus peels and found in many natural anti-flea products, can be highly toxic to cats. Herbal flea collars, though they don't contain the poisons that conventional flea collars do, come with the same warning: do not let children play with the collar. If it's not good for your child, why would it be good for your pet? It is advisable to read product labels carefully. For example, one line of supposedly natural flea sprays and dips contains "all natural synthetic Pyrethrin." Pyrethrins are insecticides derived from the African chrysanthemum (Pyrethrum). Pyrethroids are synthetic derivatives of pyrethrins. Both are commonly used in conventional preparations which make the product sound innocent because it's derived from a flower. But pyrethrins alone can be toxic to the animal and pyrethroids expose your animal to more chemicals. Other natural ingredients known to cause allergic reactions or have toxic effects in some animals include Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil and Pennyroyal oil. Cat owners take special note: Cats should not be given any essential oils, period. The use of essential oils with cats is a potentially volatile combination. Cats do not efficiently metabolize essential oils and their use can lead to symptoms of toxicity. In addition to essential oils, cats have known metabolic sensitivities to certain herbal preparations and allopathic medications. Because the cat's body does not efficiently excrete essential oils, they can build up to toxic levels. Symptoms of toxicity include vomiting, dizziness, clumsiness, lack of appetite, lack of energy and shock. In addition, cats have very thin, delicate skin. Essential oils are absorbed rapidly into their skin and enter the bloodstream, overwhelming their systems. Cats dislike strong odors and generally keep away from strong scents -- even highly diluted essential oils. Some people find that they can use essential oils on their cats with no obvious adverse effects. Although one or more applications of an essential oil product or blend may not cause immediate harm, the effects of essential oils can be cumulative and manifest themselves at a later date in the form of toxicity for which owners and vets often can find no attributable cause. (source: aromaleigh.com) |
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| If
you're bitten by fleas ... Flea bites are easy to identify, as they usually appear as small, hard, red, slightly raised, itching spots with no swelling. The itch can be intense and very localized. Some bleeding can occur, particularly if the bitten area is scratched. A single puncture point caused by the flea is generally apparent in the center of each spot, visible by using a magnifying glass. Flea bites can occur anywhere on the body, but are most often found on the lower legs and ankles. The following measures will help bring relief and healing to flea bites on humans: • Wash the affected area with soap and cold water. (Warm water may increase the itching.) • Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling and further relieve itching • Try not to scratch the itch. Covering the area with loose clothing may help. • If the affected area is red and swollen, you may apply an anti-itch topical cream or a mild steroid cream like 1% hydrocortisone cream. This should be available from a pharmacy without the need of a prescription. Hydrocortisone helps in reducing inflammation rapidly. Alternately, a few drops of calamine lotion may also be used. These simple home treatment methods should produce results with a day or two. However, if swelling and itching persist or produce discharge, then a visit to your doctor may be warranted. In some cases the doctor may recommend a steroid injection to reduce swelling, or a course of antibiotics. It is not common for these measures to be applied in most instances of flea bites.
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