MITES: FAQ’s + How To Get Rid Of Them

What Are Mites?

There are over 48,000 species of mites. They can be found in almost every corner of the world, surviving everywhere from tropical environments to arid ecosystems, even indoors alongside humans.

Like ticks, mites are both arthropods and arachnids, but unlike ticks, not all mites are parasites. Some—like house dust mites—are scavengers, feeding off the dead skin and hair of humans. Some mites feed on mold and other plant-life. Some are symbiotic, living on the backs of insects like bees. And, yes, some are parasitic—like bird mites, rat mites and chiggers—which feed on the blood or skin of their hosts.

 

Do Mites Affect Humans?

You might be surprised to learn that the overwhelming majority of American homes have mites. The good news is that most mites are harmless to humans. However, there are in fact a few species that bite or pose other health risks to people. The extremely irritating skin condition scabies, for instance, is caused by an allergic reaction to the itch mite, which burrows into the skin of mammals to live and lay eggs. Mange is often the result of the same itch mite, along with another species, the Demodex mite (or eyelash mite), which infests the eyelashes of millions of people each year. The Demodex mite has also been linked to rosacea.

The most common biting mites found in the home are rat mites and bird mites. These two parasitic species prey mostly on small animals, but occasionally feed on humans too, causing dermatitis and acute itching. Another common household mite, the dust mite, is not parasitic and therefore does not bite; however, it’s a leading cause of allergies and has been found to cause asthma, too.

 

How Do You Get Mites?

The two most common biting mites—rat mites and bird mites—enter our homes through wild animals and pests. The former is typically brought into the home by a rodent, while the later finds its way in from nearby bird nests. Dust mites on the other hand live almost exclusively within homes, where they deeply embed themselves in carpets, bedding, rugs and other especially dusty surfaces. In fact, a typical mattress contains tens of thousands of these mites. Even more—around 100,000—can live in a single square foot of rug or carpet.

Perhaps most offputting of all, Demodex mites—sometimes called eyelash mites—make their home in the hair follicles and glands in and around the human eye. People with pets are particularly at risk of contracting Demodex mites, as these insect-like organisms are usually transferred to humans from dogs and cats.

 

What Are The Signs Of A Mite Infestation?

Because of their near microscopic size, and because mites vary so greatly from species to species, it’s extremely difficult to correctly identify a mite infestation. While some mites leave noticeable markings—spider mites spin webs, clover mites are recognizable by their bright red color—most mites leave little to no evidence of their existence.

In fact, the sole sign of an infestation often comes by way of the symptoms mites can cause in humans, such as skin irritation and general allergic reaction. Unless you’re able to capture a mite sample and have it identified by a professional, there’s little to no way to confirm what sort of mite infestation you may or may not have.

 

What To Do If You Have Mites

While some mites—like the mostly harmless dust mite—are all but impossible to completely eliminate from your home, troublesome biting mites are comparatively easier to treat. Rat mites and bird mites, for example, can often be eradicated simply by removing any small rodents, birds and bird nests from your home.

If you have mites, but are unsure of the source, fogging your entire home might be a good option for you. Fogging your home with an all natural, nontoxic pesticide is the best way to treat all areas where mites could be hiding. If you believe mites have infested your bedding or other linens, washing and drying them on a hot cycle with a natural, water-soluble insect repellent should rid your items of any remaining mites.

 

Watch Cedarcide’s Fogging Tutorial Below:

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How To Safely Remove A Tick

Ticks are arachnids that live solely on the blood of animals—and sometimes humans.  Tick bites can range from mild nuisance to serious medical condition; and while most tick bites are harmless, on rare occasions, tick bites can transmit serious illnesses like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, relapsing fever, tularemia, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis (and even more in pets). Ticks can stay attached to their host for days, even weeks, after the initial bite. The longer a tick stays attached to you or your pet, the higher the chances are of contracting an illness or other infection (ticks removed within 36 hours rarely cause disease or infection). In other words, if you or your pet gets bitten by a tick, you need to remove it as soon as possible. If you suspect you have been bitten by a tick, here’s what you need to do:

Check For Ticks

Hiking, camping, dog-walking—any outdoor activity, especially those in or around tall grass, can leave you the host of a tick. It’s important to check both yourself and your pet for ticks after engaging in any activity that might have exposed you to these parasites. Ranging from the size of a pinhead to 2/3 of an inch, ticks can be brown or red and even white and blue-green (especially after feeding)—but in all cases, ticks can easily go unnoticed. Especially when searching your pets for ticks, it’s crucial to take your time and be thorough.

For Pets: Slowly brush your fingers through their fur, looking for any unusual bumps or lumps on or near the skin. Ticks particularly enjoy hiding in dark, warm locations, so be sure to check on and within your pet’s’ ears, between toes, under armpits, and under or near their tail.

When checking yourself for fleas, pay close attention to these areas: armpits, ears, belly button, scalp, around the waist, back of knees, crotch, thighs, and in between toes and fingers.

 

Get the Proper Equipment:

• Latex gloves
• Pointed-tip Tweezers
• Rubbing alcohol
• A Zip lock bag
• Soap & water

 

Put On Gloves

As mentioned above, ticks carry various infectious diseases. When removing a tick, it’s not uncommon (though it should be avoided) for the parasite to become damaged, spilling blood and other fluids in the process. To avoid having these potentially hazardous fluids seep into a crack or sore in the skin, it’s best to be cautious and always use gloves when handling or removing a tick.

 

Remove The Tick

 

There are countless myths and old wives’ tales concerning how to remove a tick—some involve burning the parasite with a match, others advocate suffocation with solutions like alcohol and even peanut butter. However, most of these tips are incorrect and, if used, can actually lead to additional complications like infection. Instead, follow these simple steps to properly and safely remove a tick (the process is the same for both animals and humans):

• Using pointed tweezers, grab the tick as close to the skin surface as possible; this usually means grabbing the tick by its mouthparts. Avoid squeezing or damaging the tick in any way—when harmed or irritated, ticks can expel infectious bodily fluids into the bloodstream of their hosts.
• Slowly and carefully pull directly upward. Don’t twist or yank the tick. With steady pressure, you should be able to remove the entire tick intact.
• If the tick’s mouthparts break off in the skin, attempt to carefully remove them. If this cannot be done easily, stop trying and leave them inside. Monitor the site and consult a medical professional if you spot any signs of infection.
• After removal, thoroughly clean and disinfect the bite site with soap & water or rubbing alcohol.
• Place the removed tick in a ziplock bag; it will eventually suffocate and die. You may wish to save the tick for up to two weeks—in the event you or your pet begin showing signs of illness, you may want to have the tick identified or tested for disease by a professional.
• Over the next two weeks, observe the bite site for any signs of disease or infection like rashes, swelling, tenderness or redness. Consult a medical professional if such signs occur.
• If you begin experiencing flu-like symptoms shortly after removing a tick (3-14 days), consult a medical professional immediately.

 

Prevent Future Tick Bites

 

Prevention is the only foolproof method of avoiding ticks and the serious illnesses they transmit. Before and after you and your pet engage in outdoor activities during tick season, it’s advisable to apply an all natural insecticide and repellent to both yourself and your furry friend. It’s also generally a good idea to treat your yard for fleas and ticks during the warmer months of the year.

 

 

 

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Signs You Might Be Vitamin D Deficient

Living in the modern world has its advantages and disadvantages. Technologically speaking, we’re far better off than we were, say, 100 years ago. Nutritionally speaking, we’re far worse in many ways.

As surprising as it might sound, nearly all Americans suffer from at least 1 form of nutritional deficiency.

One of the most common deficiencies is Vitamin D. In fact, most Americans aren’t aware they suffer from a lack of Vitamin D. This is partly because we all tend to believe our diets are rich with it (people who drink lots of milk, for example, would never guess they’re deficient). What most people don’t realize is that, despite its name, Vitamin D is not technically a vitamin in the traditional sense. It’s actually a steroid hormone that we’re meant to receive primarily through sunlight, not diet.

Who is Vitamin D Deficient?

Thanks to various scientific studies, we now know more about our body’s relationship with vitamin D. Some of the results are staggering.

· The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that roughly 32% of Americans are vitamin D deficient. This percentage vastly increases when considering the CDC used vitamin D levels not consistent with optimal health.

· The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reported that children between the ages of 1 and 5 were 50% likely to suffer from insufficient Vitamin D levels. They also reported that children between the ages of 6 and 11 were a shocking 70% likely to suffer from insufficient levels!

·Most researchers tend to agree the general population is somewhere around 50% deficient.

· It’s estimated that about 95% of senior citizens are vitamin D deficient due to their lack of sun exposure and the fact that their bodies naturally produce less vitamin D than younger individuals.

· People with an increased level of skin pigmentation, such as from African, Middle Eastern, or Indian descent, are also at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency. It was found that their skin may need as much as 10x more sun exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D as a person with fairer skin.

 

Signs You Might Be Vitamin D Deficient:

There is only 1 known way to detect if you’re vitamin D deficient: blood testing. That being said, there are a number of “signs” or “clues” that indicate vitamin D deficiency:

· You have darker skin. Darker skinned individuals are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency

· You’re over the age of 50. As you age, your skin becomes less efficient in converting sun exposure to vitamin D.

· You suffer from bouts of depression. Your brain produces serotonin—a mood-regulating hormone—when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Feeling “blue” can be a sign your brain is not producing enough serotonin due to lack of sun exposure, and therefore vitamin D.

· You’re overweight or unusually muscular Because vitamin D acts more like a hormone than a traditional vitamin, those with excess body fat and large amounts of muscle in turn require additional Vitamin D

· You have a sweaty forehead. One of the earliest signs of a vitamin D deficiency is a sweaty head.

· You have problems with your gut. Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, having stomach issues can prevent your body from absorbing it.

· You have chronic aches and pains in your bones. A vitamin D deficiency can affect skeletal health. As a result, your bones ache and throb.

What Are the Benefits of Vitamin D?

There are a variety of benefits and health attributes associated with vitamin D. Here are some of the most important:

· It’s good for your bones! Having a sufficient amounts of vitamin D in your system allows for proper calcium absorption.

· It’s important to cardiovascular health. Vitamin D is important for reducing the likelihood of atherosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, heart attack, and stroke.

· Vitamin D is an immune modulator, making it very important for preventing autoimmune disease.

· It helps in fighting infections of all kinds, including the flu

· It helps with DNA repair, which is crucial to a healthy immune system.

 

What Are Optimum Vitamin D Levels?

An ideal range for general health and regulation is somewhere between 50 and 70 ng/ml. However, without proper blood testing, it’s all but impossible to know exactly what your levels are. If you’d like to know exactly where your own vitamin D levels stand, getting a blood test at a local clinic is the easiest method.

How Do I Reach Optimum Level?

As far as how to reach optimum levels of vitamin D, sun exposure is generally the easiest way. As stated above, taking a supplement orally is not a sufficient substitute to sun exposure. Staying in the sun for roughly half the time it takes for your skin to receive a mild sunburn is usually an ideal amount of time. For example, if you get a mild sunburn after 20 minutes of sun exposure, then 10 minutes will likely be enough time to raise your Vitamin D production. If you have to count exclusively on an oral supplement, then remember to take Vitamin K as well as—it helps the body with vitamin D absorption.

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FLEAS: Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Get Fleas?

Contrary to popular belief, contracting fleas has nothing to do with the cleanliness or condition of your home—fleas can and do infest everyone. However, fleas usually enter your yard via wild animals, such as squirrels, rabbits, feral cats, possums, etc. Then, either you, your family or a pet unknowingly bring these outside fleas into your home. Dog Parks, neighboring pets and outdoor activities such as hiking, dog-walking and hunting are also common sources of flea infestation.

 

What Do Fleas Look Like?  

Fleas have three primary life stages: Eggs, Larvae, and Adults. Flea eggs are small (about the size of a salt granule) and white; Flea larvae look like small, milky-white caterpillars, ranging between 3 to 5.2 mm in length. Adult fleas are dark-brown to reddish-brown, about 2.5 mm in length, with thin, flat, wingless bodies and long legs.

 

What Do Flea Bites Look Like?

Flea bites are small, red and extremely itchy. On humans, bites usually occur on the legs and feet, though flea bites can potentially occur anywhere on the body. Skin reactions such as hives, swelling, or rashes near the bite site are a common symptom of flea bites. Although flea bites rarely result in disease in humans, fleas are in fact carriers of various diseases and bacteria, including tapeworm, typhus and cat scratch disease.

 

What Are the Signs Of A Flea Infestation?

Locating and identifying a flea infestation is normally quite easy. Whether crawling within your pet’s fur or sprinkled throughout your carpet, fleas are not usually difficult to spot. Flea infestations spread quickly, so it’s crucial that you find and treat them as early and as fast as possible. Here are the signs to look out for:

• Excessive pet scratching (this is often the first sign of flea infestation)
• If you suspect fleas have infested your pet, check their skin for adult fleas and red or black dots (flea droppings). Fleas usually infest the hindquarters of dogs, and the neck and face area of cats.
• Flea eggs (these are white, about the size of a grain of salt, and often too small for the naked eye to see)
• Small dark specks on linens, bedding or clothing that appear to jump or fly (these are adult fleas moving throughout your home)

 

What To Do If You Have Fleas

At Cedarcide, we recommend using only all-natural, eco-safe methods for getting rid of fleas, with fogging (indoor) and spraying (outdoor) being our preferred methods of treatment. If you think you might have fleas, you need to act fast before the infestation spreads. For detailed instructions on getting rid of fleas, download our How To Get Rid Of Fleas ebook: A 5 Step Guide.

 

 

 

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What is Morgellons?

 

What is Morgellons?

Morgellons is a rare, controversial and poorly understood illness that affects human skin. Characterized by slow-to-heal lesions, open sores, and mysterious filaments which seem to emerge from below the skin surface, Morgellons is often both extremely painful and debilitating, with symptoms ranging from severe fatigue and gastrointestinal issues to neurological disturbance. Morgellons is often accompanied by a sensation that something—maybe insects or worms—is crawling just beneath or on top of the skin. This last symptom has led many medical professionals to connect (or confuse) Morgellons with delusional parasitosis, a delusional disorder in which sufferers falsely believe they’re infested by parasites or insects. Some doctors believe Morgellons originates from an infectious agent, and is similar in that way to Lyme Disease.

Why is Morgellons Such a Medical Mystery?

It’s simple: very little is known about the condition. The medical community is unsure or in disagreement on the following: the cause of Morgellons (is it fungal, bacterial, or perhaps caused by exposure to a toxin?), whether it’s contagious, whether it’s a physical or mental disorder, how to treat it, even how to diagnose it. Some professionals and researchers (including the CDC) believe Morgellons is a strictly mental phenomenon, with no real physical cause; others (like scientists at Oklahoma State University) argue that Morgellons is not caused by delusions, but is in fact a real, although mysterious, disease. Perhaps the largest source of contention centers around Morgellon’s puzzling filaments or fibers. Primarily red, black, or blue in color, these fibers remain an enigma—their cause and composition unknown. The CDC concluded that these fibers come from textiles, fabric that’s likely been transferred from clothing to lesions by scratching. However, several researchers argue that the makeup of these fibers is not linen or fabric, but rather something biological that’s erupting from the skin as the result of some unknown infection or contagion (these fibers have also been seen in unbroken skin). In 2005, forensic scientists at the Tulsa Police Crime lab tested a Morgellons’ filament against the 100,000 known fibers in the FBI database. No match was found. The sample was not cotton or linen or any other synthetic or natural fiber known to their database. One scientist commented, “this isn’t lint, this isn’t a commercial fiber—it’s just not.”

 

 

Is Morgellons Real?

Regardless of the source or cause or nature of the illness, Morgellons is undeniably a real condition that affects people across the world. One thing is clear: additional research, open-mindedness and empathy is needed to better understand this crippling ailment. While Morgellons research is ongoing, diseases with similar symptoms and appearance have been witnessed in both dogs and cattle.

What Are the Signs/Symptoms of Morgellons—What does it feel like?

Morgellons has been associated with a wide range of symptoms, both physical and mental. The following is a list of common symptoms reported by Morgellons sufferers:

• Severe Itching
• Crawling or burning sensations under the skin
• Slow-healing lesions
• Severe Fatigue
• Muscle and joint pain
• Neurological impairment
• The appearance of fibers or granules originating from below the skin surface
• Tooth deterioration
• Psychiatric disturbance (in rare cases even suicide)
• Hair loss
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Diminished cognitive function
• Life-altering depression
• Insomnia

Cures & Treatments—What To Do If You Have Morgellons

There is currently no medically-accepted cure or treatment for Morgellons. However, Morgellons sufferers have found relief from a variety of DIY treatments—remedies such as homemade topical formulas and essential oils (like cedar oil for example). The Charles E. Holman Foundation for Morgellons Disease has published a resource offering tips and suggestions for those suffering with Morgellons. You can find that here.

In addition to these tips, it’s important to consult a medical professional if you are showing signs or symptoms of Morgellons. When seeking treatment from a doctor be mindful of the following:

• Seek out a medical professional who listens and validates your concerns. Historically, doctors have been quick to dismiss those who claim to suffer from Morgellons. So, it’s important to find a professional who is open-minded and willing to listen—someone that makes your health and well-being a priority.
• Stay open-minded yourself. Morgellons is still not officially recognized in the medical community. Chances are whatever professional you consult will look to eliminate any known causes or disorders before addressing your Morgellons concerns. Stay open-minded. You might be suffering from something other than Morgellons, or in addition to Morgellons.
• Listen. If your chosen Doctor suggests treatments apart from a Morgellons diagnosis, pursue them before dismissing them. You’ve chosen to seek a professional, so why not consider their suggestions?
• Stay Positive. We realize that what you’re going through is extremely debilitating. That you likely feel alienated and unheard. We could not be more sympathetic. We’d like to suggest that you do your best to stay positive, both for yourself, your friends and family. Optimism is a great ally in the fight against any serious illness.

 

Suffering From Morgellons?

If you are dealing with what you believe is Morgellons Disease, we hear from customers everyday that our all-natural pesticide, Cedarcide Original,  alleviates the symptoms associated with Morgellons. For larger cases of Morgellons, our customers have found success using our Home Infestation Treatment Kit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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6 Amazing ways to use Cedarwood Oil

 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. The information above is in no way intended to replace proper medical help.

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6+ ways carrots benefit dogs

They’re a healthy alternative to processed dog treats

First, and most importantly from your dog’s point of view, they taste delicious!  Carrots not only provide a significant amount of nutritional benefits, they also taste good to your pets.  They are slightly high in naturally occurring sugars so they’re viewed as a treat of sorts by your animals.  It’s important to mention that in order for your dog to enjoy the nutritional benefits of carrots (which will be discussed below), the carrots must first be slightly cooked or steamed because the wall of cellulose within carrots is not digestible by dogs.

 

They’re good for their teeth

Chew toys are commonly used  for the sake of  “scraping” pets’ teeth in order to clean them.  Carrots, in regards to their natural texture, could be considered a mini chew toy on steroids in that they are a tasty treat as well as a natural tooth brush.

 

They’re good for cholesterol 

These treats are good for your animals’ cholesterol due to the low-fat and low-calorie nature of carrots.  If an owner wants to treat their dogs with a “good behavior” snack, carrots are a great choice when trying to limit the amount of high-calorie doggie treats their pets receive.

 

The Beta-Carotene is good for their eyesight 

Just as the old common adage might suggest, carrots are good for people’s eyesight as well as for dog’s eyesight.  The Beta-Carotene prevalent in carrots in a natural anti-oxidant and a natural eyesight enhancer for your pet.

 

They’re rich in Vitamin A 

Vitamin A, along with Beta-Carotene, can help your dog’s eyesight, improve their skin, and also foster a healthier and shinier coat.  Vitamin A, as a general rule, is good for the overall health of your pet and is a great immune system booster.  Keep in mind not to overdo allowances of Vitamin A as it could become toxic in extremely large quantities. That being said, it would take a significant amount of carrots to reach that point. So as long as you don’t give your animal an entire bag of cooked or raw carrots, you won’t run into this problem.

 

They’re a good source of Fiber

Because carrots are naturally high in fiber, they can be a good “regulator” for you pet if he or she is suffering from constipation or loose/irregular stools.  Adding some additional fiber to your pet’s diet can help add consistency to your dog’s “business.”

 

Remember, treat your dogs to these tasty, healthy snacks in moderation, and unless the purpose of you feeding your dogs carrots is for cleaning their teeth, remember to always slightly cook or steam your carrots so that your animal can reap the nutritional benefits from their goodies!

 

Cedarcide rescues Gauge, Remi and John love fresh vegetables and fruit!

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BED BUGS: Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Get Bed Bugs?

Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs have nothing to do with the cleanliness or condition of your home—bed bugs can and do infest everyone. (According to a 2011 survey, 1 in 5 Americans have had or know someone who has had a bed bug infestation). Bed bugs can be contracted from almost anywhere, from friends’ homes and gyms to workplaces and secondhand shops—nearly any public space.

However, you typically get bed bugs as a result of traveling—hotels and motels, regardless of quality or reputation, are notorious breeding grounds for bed bugs. All it takes is for a few of these pests to climb into your suitcase or hitch a ride on your clothing for you to get a bed bug infestation.

 

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?  

About the size of an apple seed, bed bugs are flat, oval in shape and red, sometimes rust colored. Their appearance varies based on how recently they’ve fed—bed bugs are extremely thin before feeding (about the width of a credit card), and deep-red and swollen just after a meal.

 

What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?

Identifying bed bug bites can be difficult, as it’s hard to differentiate them from those of other biting insects—mosquitoes, chiggers and flea bites all look similar. Raised, red and typically very itchy, bed bug bites are usually found on parts of the body that remain exposed during sleep (neck, face, legs, arms, etc). Bed bug bites tend to appear in small clusters or grouped together in rows.

Bed bug bite reactions vary—some people show symptoms after only a few hours, others after days, and some (especially the elderly) show no symptoms at all. The varying nature of bed bug bite reactions and their generic appearance make bug bites a poor indicator of bed bug infestation. If you suspect you might have bed bugs, you need to check for the common signs of bed bug infestation.

What Are the Signs Of A Bed Bug Infestation?

Bed Bug infestations spread quickly, so it’s crucial that you find and treat them as early and as fast as possible.

Your search should begin in the bedroom where you normally sleep, and then move outward to surrounding furniture and linens. Bedbugs are notoriously hard to find, so when searching for signs of bed bugs, take your time, be thorough, and have a flashlight handy—no crack, seam or fold should go unexamined. Here are the signs to look for:

• Red, brown or black stains (these markings are the bugs’ fecal matter, or blood)
• Yellowish shells or skins (these are the result of the bed bug molting process)
• Yellow or white bed bug eggs (in some cases these are too small to see)
• Dead or living bed bugs (bed bugs are white to tan when nymphs, and brown to red when fully grown)

 

What To Do If You Have Bed Bugs

At Cedarcide, we recommend using only all-natural, eco-safe methods for getting rid of bed bugs, with fogging being our preferred form of treatment. If you suspect that you have bed bugs, you need to act fast before the infestation spreads. For detailed instructions on getting rid of bed bugs, download our How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs ebook: A 5 Step Guide.

Free Bed Bug Ebook 

Watch Cedarcide’s Fogging tutorial below:

 

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Why You Need To Stop Using Flea Collars Today

 

Flea collars are one of the the most popular options for treating and preventing fleas in both dogs and cats. Typically, flea collars work by either transferring pesticides to your pet’s skin or by giving off a harmful gas that’s toxic to fleas. Unfortunately, the same features that make flea collars effective also make them dangerous to both pets and humans—serious, even life threatening, side-effects have been linked with exposure to the chemicals within flea collars. The following is a list of reasons why it’s important you stop using flea collars on your pets as soon as possible.

Your Family

A study conducted by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) concluded that flea collars, even when used as directed, can have “serious health consequences to humans.” The NRDC found that unsafe levels of pesticides from flea collars can remain on a dog or cat’s fur for weeks after initial use. These pesticide levels exceed acceptable EPA exposure limits, posing a serious risk to both adults and children when playing with pets wearing flea collars.

“It was also discovered that flea collar toxins are readily transferrable, moving easily from a pet to furniture, children’s toys, even directly to humans.”

 

One of the most common (and dangerous) chemicals found in flea collars is Tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP), an organophosphate insecticide that works by interrupting a flea’s central nervous system. Unfortunately TCVP—which the EPA lists as a carcinogen—also wreaks havoc on the human central nervous system. Which shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that organophosphates are a central ingredient in several biological weapons, including nerve gas.

Worst of all, children and pregnant women are especially at risk—learning disabilities, motor development, hyperactivity and behavioural issues have all been tied with exposure to flea collar pesticides. Public Health Scientist Miriam Rotkin Ellman—a key scientist in NRDC’s studies—has said,

“with a pesticide it doesn’t take very much to cause effects that will stay with kid[s] for the rest of their lives”

Your Pets

While residual toxins from flea collars can be hazardous to humans, they can be outright lethal for your pets. Ranging from skin irritation and gastrointestinal distress, to organ failure and even death, flea collars have a long history of harmful effects in both cats and dogs. When used as directed, flea collars are still known to cause severe chemical burns and seizures in pets. A quick look at product review sites like Consumer Affairs or outlets like Amazon is enough to get a sense of the suffering flea collars commonly inflict on pet owners. In cases of ingestion or misuse (placing a dog-specific flea collar on a cat, for instance), flea collars are regularly fatal, with smaller and older pets being especially vulnerable. Flea collars are also notorious for interfering with pet medications—sometimes counteracting them, sometimes rendering them deadly. Even under ideal conditions, flea collars can be fatal to dogs and cats, as sensitivities to chemicals or allergies usually remain unknown in pets until it’s too late.

They’re Not As Effective As You Think

In contrast to received opinion, flea collars are not exactly highly effective. In most cases, flea collars can be useful at preventing flea infestations (if toxic treatments can be considered useful) but not at treating them. In fact, many flea collars are not even strong enough to kill adult fleas. Even when properly used, flea collars only serve to protect the area on or around your pet’s neck. Considering fleas tend to feed and hide primarily in pets’ armpits, groins, bellies and backsides, it’s not hard to see why flea collars are only so effective at controlling flea infestation.

Natural Alternatives

At Cedarcide, we only recommend the use of all natural, eco-friendly alternatives when treating your pets for fleas. Thankfully, there are many pet-safe, family-safe options when managing and preventing flea infestation. Here are some of our favorites:

Consult a vet before use on older, pregnant or nursing animals

• An all natural, non-toxic Flea spray
  • Apply as needed, especially before walking pets outdoors or at pet parks. Tip: For dogs, moisten a bandana with an all natural insect repellent for a non-toxic flea collar alternative.

• Flea Combs
  • Flea combs help to both identify and treat flea infestations
• Bathe Your Pet Regularly 
  • Regular bathing helps keep fleas off your pets. No need for toxic flea & tick shampoos—soapy, warm water is sufficient to kill adult fleas and flea eggs.
• A natural flea & tick brush
  • A flea and tick brush that dispenses natural insect repellent is among the most efficient and effective methods for treating your medium to large-sized dog for fleas
• Wash pet bedding weekly
  • Regularly washing your pet’s bedding is essential to preventing flea infestation. Use hot water and include a water-soluble insect repellent for added protection.
• Care for your lawn
  • Keeping your yard clutter-free and trimmed (grass, shrubbery, etc) will help prevent fleas from making a home in your yard.
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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