The Dangers of Chemical Flea & Tick Products
Insect control is a huge problem facing pet parents, and we spend over a billion dollars each year fighting fleas and ticks. But in the 50% of American homes where conventional pesticide products are used on pets, the misery these insects can cause goes beyond the itching and disease risk these parasites carry.
Chemical pesticides carry hidden health risks that may cause devastating effects on our pets, our children, ourselves and our planet. We often naively assume that government agencies like the EPA and FDA adequately test and assess health risks for the products we find on our store shelves. Sadly, this is not true for conventional insect control products, most of which still contain chemicals known to cause health problems in people and pets.
The risks of chemical flea and tick products include immediate toxic reaction in pets, including vomiting, seizures, and paralysis. Cats in particular have higher exposure due to their grooming habits, which allow more pesticide residue into their small systems. These chemicals are designed to work on insects’ nervous systems, and can have the same action in sensitive pets and humans. Pet care workers exposed to high levels of chemical pesticides have shown vision impairment, skin and respiratory problems, among other health concerns.
At greatest risk are young children, who are exposed to higher levels of these dangerous chemicals than adults are, and are vulnerable due to their immature nervous systems. The EPA has estimated that children may be exposed to 500 times above established “safe” levels of pesticides on the day a chemical pesticide is used on a cat or dog alone!
Beyond immediate toxic effects, there is danger in the cumulative effects of exposure to chemical pesticides, which we take in from many sources including residue in our food, and exposure to pesticides in and around our homes. Neurological problems, respiratory conditions like asthma, endocrine problems that affect fertility and even cancer are thought to be caused by chemical pesticides, and ecologists see patterns of damage in our natural ecosystems that are attributed to pesticide run off in our water.
All in all, the dangers of chemical flea & tick products stack up in favor of choosing natural approaches to insect control. Our insect control products offer far safer alternatives to keeping your pets, family and home free of insect pests using nature’s best weapons against them. Most natural products use safe amounts of herbal extracts, including essential oils that have natural insect-repellent properties. Natural products work best when used together, and when used to protect your home and family before infestation becomes a problem.
Learn more about natural approaches to flea & tick products, and the dangers of chemical insecticides:
The Natural Approach to Flea Control.
Natural Remedies to eliminate Worms.
Intestinal Worms & Heartworm.
Natural insect control and health supportive remedies give you a wide range of ways to protect your pets and keep your family safe.
Check out our Popular Flea & Tick Products.
Tags: danger chemical insecticides, flea, flea season, insect control, natural flea control, natural tick control
