SPRING IS COMING! - Danger and a Warning!!! - Let the Debate Begin, Again

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Read this article from http://www.alternet.org/ about pyrethroids, permethrin and deltamethrin, flea and tick products and their dangers to our pets:

http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/123420/pesticides_in_pet_pro...

Last Spring, Ginger had a reaction problem with Advanix and I have read some people had reactions to Frontline. There were even huge discussions here on DK about Frontline not working, last year.

So, what should we do about the fleas and ticks of Spring?

Here in NJ, I never have a problem with fleas but the ticks are awful. I have used Citronella Spray and Castor & Pollux's Play Dead Collars. They smell great and keep flies and mosquitos away, but the ticks laugh at the smell.

What is everyone's recommendations for tick control?

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

I have not BUT will give it a try this year. We of course have favorable weather for nasty yard conditions year round here. Last summer we had a period of time with rain every day that lasted for an extended time to the point that it interferred with thorough doggie waste pickup. By the time it finally stopped most of the waste had already broke down into the ground from such excessive water. About the same time we developed a hook worm problem and it is suspected this was where it began. After some research I learned that especially in warm climates that they can live in the ground for 4+ weeks (University of FL) which of course perpetuates the cycle, they can enter the animal from the ground and so it goes. Diatomaceous earth can be very effective for worming also. Many breeders would never dream of sharing a story like this for fear of people 'knowing', in truth vulnerability CAN happen in a variety of circumstances. Our pups were long past the standard age appropriate wormings and given the right conditions you can find yourself not immune to what some think is representative of poor conditions. We have been using food grade diatomaceous earth ever since. I am sharing this because in real life it can happen and when we do not share what we have experienced we deny prevention learned as a result for ourselves and others. Our program is an open book here, we are real people and experience real issues just like everyone else ~ to not voice that to keep our image 'clean' serves no purpose and I am all about sharing because I think it is the way good out of everything manifests itself. There are no known yard treatments for worms and since we KNOW that diatomaceous can aid in this, we are going to put it in the yard and are hopeful flea control will be an added bonus. I do agree with Karen and think true benefit would best be accomplished in preventative measures. You can be certain I will share how it goes here and look forward to those that will also share how they deal with such PIA situations.

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

I have been using Revolution - no problems here.

[Leslie and Halas]

Halas rolls around like this, too! He does it after I put his Frontline on, after I clean his ears, after he eats yogurt, after I wipe off his dirty legs with baby wipes, all the time. I'm guessing with the Frontline and cleanings, it is probably the smell that makes him want to try to roll around and rub it off. He doesn't whine or anything, and he doesn't really rub any of it off, because he doesn't roll onto his back, so I think it must be the scent. For Halas, the rolling around is done after a minute or 2.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Karen ~ I need to tap your scientific mind about a thought on this! When I did the research about the allergic reactions it led to the chemical derivative (synthetic, I think) of the chrysanthemum family. You know how you can plant marigolds around a vegetable garden and gain some immunity from invasion of pests? Well this is a big time grasp BUT do you feel there is a possibility of gaining any benefit other than a lovely yard with plantings of the chrysanthemum daisy family in pest prevention? As I said a big time grasp but all things initiate with a wild thought eh?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think there's a possibility; there are probably certain plants that do repel any kind of insect or wildlife. The problem with fleas is that they jump...really, really far & high for their size. (I once saw something that equated it to a human being able to jump to the top of a skyscraper from the ground. You get the idea.) So for fleas, a border or barrier of plantings probably wouldn't help much. I don't know anything at all about ticks as far as their behaviors, habitats, etc., but that would be worth looking into.
Mosquitoes, we know are repelled by certain fragrances...but they fly. So I don't know how well anything at ground level would work. The rabbits, etc., who are repelled by certain plants can't go up or over them to get to what they want, which is usually another plant; the fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes want blood, from us & our pets. The basic life drive for food is pretty powerful. I think your idea about the daisy family plantings is worth pursuing, but it's the mobility of the pests that will be the problem.
My Dream Yard: Astroturf instead of grass, planting beds covered with immoveable, permanent mulch, and the whole thing enclosed with invisible, impenetrable screening, twenty feet high. LOL

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

GRASS? You have grass? Our definition of grass = something that used to exist within the parameters of our wood fenced back yard BDBC ~ Before doodles and boy child. The boy child who we will refer to as Nick seems to be of the false impression that if he digs out the entire side of the yard beyond the above ground pool for his dream underground fort to share with his doodle comrads it is camoflauged. Of course that only works until I walk the area usually at NIGHT when I find those he has not covered over by means of practicing my martial arts falls rather than by sight! One day I may fall into Alice's hole back there! Your dream backyard sounds like heaven to me!

[F, Calla & Luca]

The Cedarcide ad that appears with this discussion is interesting re: yard control for fleas and ticks. I emailed the co. for advice on the most economical way to do this and will share the response.

[2zw8n9vphfrc6]

We also use euculyptus mulch

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

FYI, to all; there is no permethrin in Frontline.

[Debbie and Thomas]

I am knew to this site and have an 18 week old golden doodle. I live in the city of Toronto but I do have a summer cottage where my dog will be visiting frquently. Our other dog who has now passed was only given a "heart worm pill" once a month from June until I can't remember when. he never had any flees or ticks. I am unsure what you are talking about. Should all dogs be given medicine for fleas and ticks. I am worried now. I have never heard of the medications you are talking about but would like to know if they are necessary for all dogs or just dogs who live in certain areas. I have heard about ticks and how people check their dogs for them every day-I though have never experienced this though, but I would like to know what this is all about.

[Adina P]

I think some heartworm pills might take care of all of the above, but we don't have heartworm here so I am not sure.

The meds we are talking about are TOPICAL liquids you put on your dog's spine (you part the hair and squeeze a little tube of liquid onto their skin). This chemical is then spread around by the dog's oil glands...it does not get absorbed into their system and it is not dangerous per the company's literature. It does not REPEL, but it kills fleas and some of them kill ticks too.

The one I use is called "Frontline Plus" (the one with the "Plus" works on ticks too).

[Deena Womack]

We use "Frontline Plus", as we got pretty spooked when we had Cali about 2 weeks. We found worms in her stool and took her to the vet. She stated that Cali possibly got into the fleas and ticks that she was infested with and ingested them so she was at risk for diseases like rocky mountain fever and heartworm. We apply the frontline plus every month and she has had no reaction to it whatsoever. We also use Heartgard every month and she seems to handle it well.