This article is entitled...

Flea and Tick Control

by Tam Cordingley

Fleas and ticks and biting flies are miserable for many dogs. Once you get them under control it is fairly easy to keep them that way. There are so many new products, natural, chemical, repellant, that it is difficult to keep them straight.

One of the main hazards is the very human tendancy to use a scatter gun approach. Many people use an internal flea control, a chemical insecticide on the lawn and carpets, and an external flea control. They probably won't have fleas but they are also likely to not have a dog. All these layers of poisons can and do kill thousands of dogs yearly.

The IGR or insect growth regulators are a wonderful and totally non-toxic form of yard control. They are now in some topical remedies as well. Bio-spot for example. Three years ago, in preparation for another Southeastern flea season, I bought a case of BioSpot to use on our refuge dogs. I also bought some of the yard spray which is a companion product. It contains an IGR. We saw a few fleas so I dutifully treated everyone, sprayed the yards ( of course keeping the dogs off the insecticide until it was dry), and repeated in a month. It worked great. No fleas, no fly bites, no ticks. The next year I did the same. Never saw a flea so never used the Bio Spot or yard spray except on a few of the dog's ears to protect against biting flies. Last year not one flea. Apparently the IGR really worked, we didn't need to poison the dogs or their quarters. So far no fleas this year either. I've bought only a few cards of Bio Spot to have on hand in case of a reemergence but haven't used any yet.

Be careful of combining chemical adulticides, sprays that kill adult insects, yard sprays, heartworm and internal protection. This cocktail of poisons can also poison your dog. READ THE LABELS.

We have also found that the Garlic and Brewer's Yeast preparations do tend to act as a repellant. They are not foolproof but help and will do no harm. Likewise the diatomaceous earth, it works fairly well, especially in outdoor quarters. It works by dehydrating the fleas. Totally non toxic. Eucalyptus oil also works, unfortunately the dogs hate it too.

In short, don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Fleas and ticks are unpleasant but don't poison your dog to death trying to rid him of fleas. Some of the commercial products are so toxic they can kill weak or debilitated dogs or puppies.