A Case For Natural Flea and Tick Prevention

by Claudia Loomis


Pet flea & tick spot-on treatments have made the news in recent months as the EPA announced an investigation into their safety as a result of an increasing number of reports of adverse incidents. In March of this year, the EPA concluded that these products are safe but need better labeling to avoid misuse.

Some basic, yet important, safety measures should be taken to avoid the chances of a reaction to any flea and tick preventative product. Products labeled for use on dogs should never be used on cats. Dog and cat flea & tick products are often different formulas, not just different doses of the same formula. Another common mistake made by consumers is purchasing a 100lb product, and then splitting it between several pets thinking each pet will get their recommended dosage in the end. This can actually be very dangerous and is not the way the product was designed to be used. Many flea & tick treatments (including spot-ons) are not recommended for use on pregnant, senior pets or pets with certain health issues; puppies should never be given a formula that is not specifically designed for them.

The health issues that develop as a result of a flea infestation or a tick bite are very serious. Lyme disease caused by tick bites can cause life long debilitating diseases and flea bite dermatitis causes skin rash and skin irritation that can lead to infection, worms or other parasitic diseases which develop as a result of ingesting fleas and their by-products. There are some very necessary steps we must take to avoid the health consequences associated with fleas and ticks.

Some simple preventative measures which can be taken to avoid future problems:

• Regular grooming and combing with a flea comb is a good start.
• Be sure to keep your lawn mowed and leaves picked up, especially the areas your pet frequents.
• Washing your pet’s bedding weekly and vacuuming frequently and disposing of the bags immediately after use will help in your battle against fleas and ticks.
• The regular use of a flea and tick collar or monthly spot-on treatment will also help. If you are using a spot-on treatment, be sure to use a soap-free shampoo that will not wash out the spot-on treatment.

If you have seen only one flea on your pet, rest assured that it is the tip of the flea iceberg. The adults that you actually see can represent merely 5% of the total flea population on your pet. If you see your pet scratching and a rash develops, it is time to take swift and powerful action to kill all the fleas and the eggs they lay. It may be necessary to use a powerful chemical treatment, including a bath using a Flea and Tick shampoo, followed up with a chemical spot on. The entire environment, both indoors and outdoors, will need to be treated be prevent re-infestation.

It is important to be cautious when combining different types of flea & tick treatments and to be aware that each is a pesticide. By layering multiple products you may be exposing your pet to amounts greater than the manufacturer recommends. Be sure to read the manufacturers label to determine which products can be safely used together and, if in doubt, ask your vet.

There are also many natural, gentler, options available. Natural alternatives may make sense for the growing number of multiple pet households. By using natural flea & tick products you will reduce the overall pesticide load in your house and reduce the risk of one pet developing an adverse reaction from overexposure due to constant contact with a housemate that has also been treated with a chemical pesticide.

A comprehensive line of products to prevent and kill fleas and ticks is offered by Sentry. Sentry’s Natural Defense brand offers a full line of treatments including spot-ons, sprays powders and shampoos, as well as premises treatments. Natural Defense contains natural botanical extracts that have proven to have highly effective defense mechanisms against harmful insects. The active ingredients include peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, lemon grass oil, and thyme oil. The first thing you will notice when using the Natural Defense spot on product is that it has an oily feel and a herbal scent reminiscent of cloves, which may be strong at first but will dissipate. Natural Defense works because the active ingredients block the neurotransmitter octopamine. Since octopamine is found only in insects it is safe to use around all pets and children.