Most pesticides are neurotoxic, meaning that they cause the nervous system to malfunction, thereby causing death. About
2/3 of available pesticides function in this manner. Flea products have also caused reproductive problems in laboratory tests.
About half of the available products are classified as carcinogens by the EPA, while one-fourth are known to cause genetic
damage in at least one test. Almost all pesticides have environmental concerns.
Per pound of weight, small dogs breathe more air, drink more water, and eat more food than larger dogs. In addition, young
puppies are more sensitive than adults, because they are growing and some of their organs are still developing. A lesser amount
of toxic material per pound can poison a young puppy or small dog very quickly.
There are several ways for chemicals to enter the body. they may be inhaled, and enter the bloodstream through the lungs.
They may be ingested by mouth, and enter through the gastrointestinal tract. They may also be absorbed through the skin with
direct contact.
The good new is, that by understanding the flea's life cycle and targeting your management activities, an effective and
least-toxic flea control program is possible. Fleas go through four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Warm,
moist conditions (65-80 degrees F and 70% relative humidity) are optimal for flea hatching and development. A female can lay
up to 800 eggs in her lifetime. Eggs are laid both on and off the pet. Those laid on the pet later fall off and accumulate
on the floor, in cracks, on furniture, and in dust. The eggs hatch within 2 to 12 days into wormlike larvae. The larval stage
generally lasts 1 to 3 weeks, but can exist up to 200 days. The larvai then spin a cocoon and transform into pupae. Pupae
remain dormant until they detect a host (by warmth and vibrations) and hatch out as adults. The pupal stage lasts from 1-2
weeks under favorable conditions but can extend to nearly a year. After emerging the adult fleas immediately seek a blood
meal. Adults can live 1-2 months without a meal and can survive 7 to 8 months with just one meal. So, as you can see, when
conditions of heat and humidity are favorable, fleas can emerge from seemingly out of nowhere to torture your pet. In addition
to causing discomfort and skin lesions from allergic reactions and scratching, fleas can transmit tapeworm and bacterial infections.
Vigilance and preventive techniques allow most pet owners to keep flea populations under control without using poisons.
An effective program for control must address the flea at all four stages of development. Vacuuming areas your pet frequents,
bathing your pet, washing pet bedding, and combing for fleas can effectively keep your flea population at a tolerable level.
Fleas tend to accumulate where pets sleep. Try to establish a single, regular sleeping place with bedding that is easily
removable and washable. Wash bedding about once a week to break up the flea life cycle. Pick up the bedding by the four corners
so that eggs and larvae aren't scattered throughout the area.
Keep your lawn cut short and either very dry or very wet. Fleas don't do well in either extreme. Bathing your pet is an
effective control measure. It is not necessary to use insecticidal shampoos, most soaps will kill fleas. Use a comb to remove
fleas from your dog. Keep a container of soapy water nearby to drown the fleas in. Dish soap works well. Don't crush fleas
with your fingers since they carry parasites and disease organisms.
Vacuuming floors, carpets, furniture, crevices and cracks once a week is an excellent means of controlling the flea population.
Vacuuming is especially effective at picking up adults and eggs. The vibration from vacuuming can result in the emergence
of adult fleas from the pupal stage. the newly hatched fleas are vacuumed up prior to ever meeting you or your pet. Steam
carpet cleaning kills fleas in the adult and larval stages. However, the steam can trigger the hatching of the remaining flea
eggs a few days later. vacuuming religiously will take care of most of the newly hatched fleas. Vacuum more frequently if
the flea population increases, every 2-3 days during the peak season. After vacuuming, the bag must be dealt with immediately
or the fleas will escape and reinfest the area.
BIOLOGICAL FLEA CONTROL
Predatory nematodes that prey on flea larvae and pupae as they are developing in soil are available commercially. The nematodes
are mixed wtih water and watered in to lawns to reduce outdoor flea populations. Nematodes are available from Gardens Alive!
(812-537-8650) (www.gardensalive.com). Gardens Alive! is a wonderful source for environmentally friendly, nontoxic home and
garden products. Another good company with information related to flea control on their website is Planet Natural. www.planetnatural.com.
LESS TOXIC ALTERNATIVES TO PESTICIDES
Desiccating dusts, such as diatomaceous earth and silica aerogels, kill fleas by drying them out, causing the insect to
lose moisture and eventually die. Always wear goggles and a dust mask during application to avoid breathing in desiccating
dusts. Cover or remove equipment that can be damaged by dust. People with respiratory problems should not use diatomaceous
earth. Be sure not to use glassified diatomaceous earth manufactured for use in swimming pool filters, it cab cause the lung
disease silicosis. Look for food-grade DE. You can find DE in many garden centers.
Some pest control companies are advertising a natural flea control through use of boric acid (another desiccant material)
in cracks and crevices.
Diatomaceous earth or silica aerogel can be applied to pets and their bedding. Both are desiccating agents. work in using
a brush or broom. Again, be cautious not to raise a dust cloud or to allow your pet or yourself to breathe in DE dust . Vacuum
afterwards to remove loose dust.
Use of brewer's yeast tablets make your dog less attractive to fleas, as the smell is excreted through the skin. Adding
a spoon of apple cider vinegar to the water bowl will make the skin more acidic and unpleasant to fleas. You can also use
a 50:50 dilution in a spray bottle and dampen the coat with the solution.
Insect growth regulators are
