5 Potential Hazards of Flea Control Pesticides

We know how important it is to keep those disease-carrying fleas off our pets. We all try to do our best but sometimes it’s just easier to go with the conventional methods of flea control – toxic pesticides. These products come in the form of spot-on treatments, which get into our pets blood system taking these toxins to all their organs, including their skin. A flea bites their skin and then dies. But what is this doing to your pet in the long run?

Aside from allergic reactions to the use of pesticide toxins in and on our pets, there are other dangerous potential consequences to keep in mind:

1. Residue of the pesticide from flea control products remain in the home environment for long periods of time.

2. Transfer of these toxins can occur to furniture, rugs, and people (and children) from the residue on pet fur.

3. Accidental poisoning of smaller dogs and cats can occur due to misuse of these pesticide products.

4. Poisoning due to multiple cats or dogs grooming each other can occur when using spot-on treatments.

5. Accidental poisoning can occur from use of foggers or flea bombs in the home.

Regulatory Updates on Flea Control Products

Recently the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has noted a substantial increase of reported harm to pets from the use of spot-on flea and tick control products. As a result, the agency issued an advisory on approximately 70 flea control products and began a process of intensive review. In many of the reported poisoning incidents, pets experienced effects such as skin irritation, skin burns, or seizures. In some cases, pets died. The EPA’s analysis revealed special areas of concern for puppies, small-breed dogs, and cats. The biggest concern for cats was found to be harm from the use of the more concentrated products intended for dogs.

As a result of further testing, some products were removed from the market altogether.

The EPA reached an agreement with Sergeant’s Pet Care Product’s, Inc. and Wellmark International to cancel flea and tick collars containing propoxur marketed under the trade names Bansect, Sentry, Zodiac and Biospot. This came in response to the EPA’s risk assessment, which found risks to children from exposure to pet collars containing propoxur.

References and Additional Resources

· University of California, Davis IPM Online: Pests of homes, structures, people and pets.

· Purdue University, Department of Entomology: Information on disease hazards posed by cat fleas and other types of fleas

· National Pesticide Information Center: Provides objective, science-based information about flea control pesticides and other control methods to facilitate informed decisions.

· US Environmental Protection Agency:

· Flea and tick control

· Federal Initiative: Tick-Borne Disease Integrated Pest Management White Paper

· EPA evaluation of spot-on flea and tick products

· Safety precautions for foggers