The Dangers of Pesticide Application and the Pests Themselves

Following up on Flee Fleas!, I wanted to be sure to give and overview of the health ramifications of the fleas and ticks themselves.

Fleas can cause a variety of illness, beyond the annoyance of their presence. Each flea bite instigates minor irratation and some pets develop an allergy to their saliva, resulting in flea allergy dermatitis, which can result in horrible itching, discomfort along with hair loss and and a variety of other skin problems including redness and scabs. In addition, fleas are often associated with tapeworm. When a dog grooms himself, he may ingest a flea carrying tapeworm larvae and the tapeworm will continue to grow in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Fleas also can cause flea bite anemia in tiny dogs and puppies. When many fleas feed on a small pup, signifigant enough blood loss can occur that requires veterinary intervention.

Tick bites present a plethora of highly degenerative illness. Ticks make their way through Fluffy’s coat, dig their heads under the skin and gorge themselves on your pet’s blood. The most common tick bourne illnesses are Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Basesiosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Click here to find out which tick bourne illnesses are most common in your area. Be sure to be as diligent in checking yourself and family members for ticks if you find one on your pet and/ or live in a high risk area.

Knowing the risks of these pests, I still avidly promote the use of natural flea and tick prevention and care. Consistent use of pesticide application on our pets to control flea and tick infestations are as dangerous as the pests themselves. These health risks are not limited to our pets. Poisonous to the touch, friends and family members giving their dog affection are unknowingly ingesting these toxins through their skin as well. Children are at a much higher risk, as their bodies and nervous systems are still developing and exposure to these pesticides can create risks for acute poisoning.

According to Rose Marie William’s article on BNet,

“Pesticides are neurotoxins that destroy and target pest’s nervous system, promoting an early death. Nerve gases were originally developed during WWII to use against the enemy. At the conclusion of the war, chemical companies were left with stockpiles of these toxins, and peacetime uses were sought…Little or no thought was given to health and environmental consequences and thousands of products were introduced before the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was instated.

Two-thirds of flea pesticides are neurotoxic, some are capable of reproductive damage in lab tests, and the EPA lists approximately one-half as carcinogenic,” (Williams, Safe Flea Control & Organic Labeling - Health Risks and Environmental Issues).

While ineffective against the flea cycle, pet owners spend millions on pest control, unknowingly bringing chemicals into their home that are highly toxic to their pet’s nervous system, seeping into the animals skin, poisoning them through their eyes and nose, permeating into their lungs, heart, liver, kidneys and bloodstream. Dogs who are consistently exposed to these chemicals can suffer from a variety of health repercussions. Exposure may result in immediate or long term responses of respiratory problems, trembling, seizures, vomiting and diarrhea.

In response to consistent exposure to flea and tick preventative, the flea has a longer life cycle then ever before and is able to thrive in conditions once known to kill them. Responding to the more persistent nature of the pest’s, the multi-million dollar industry of pet pesticides has had to use ever stronger chemicals to eradicate them.

In my first post on the subject, Flee Fleas!, I discuss how I go about controlling fleas and ticks without the use of pesticides. While researching the subject, I found a plethora of information available with plenty more suggestions on how to do so. It is clear that it is becoming increasingly obvious to consumers that pesticide application is compromising the health of our pets, yet veterinarians, those who are supposed to be looking out for Fido and Fluffy’s best interest, continue to push prescription pesticide products.

The National Resources Defense Council has also published a highly informative article on the risks of flea and tick preventatives.

It is time for responsible pet owners to look beyond the industries that push these products on pet owners and decide for themselves if they will pay for expensive pesticide products in addition to the veterinary care that their pets will need from exposure to chemicals. Diligent prevention and care of your pet will be more effective then any chemical pesticide.

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Pest Prevention and Treatment

 

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