by Jack Carrier | Apr 13, 2010 | Flea Control Videos
reposted from SmartDog The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced it will increase restrictions on topically flea and tick products because they recently documented “a significant increase” in the number of cats and dogs suffering adverse reactions to these products. Dermal, gastrointestinal and neurological effects were the reactions most commonly reported. Over the last five years, the deaths of at least 1,600 pets related to topical flea and tick treatments were reported to the EPA. Because this was a dramatic increase in such events, the EPA recently conducted an intensive review of these products. The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) collaborated with EPA. The combined group studied incidents involving cats and dogs, looked at active and inert ingredients and evaluated product labeling. Data was collected from the manufacturers (or registrants) and other available sources. The evaluation was somewhat problematic because each company collected different data on adverse reactions and information reported by pet owners was sometimes inconsistent. Incidents that weren’t included in the EPA’s evaluation were those from products without EPA registration numbers (I assume these are herbal products, but I’m not sure about this); those from other countries; reports that were considered to be ambiguous; those that involved other pesticides or drugs (because the reaction couldn’t be definitively tied to the product); and incidents that involved multiple animals (because many of these included ambiguous data). EPA stated that their evaluation indicated that additional restrictions should be applied to these products, though they didn’t provide much information on what these restrictions might be and they didn’t state whether restrictions will...
by Jack Carrier | May 13, 2009 | Flea Control Videos
Watch an interview with accomplished author Barry Silverstein where he shares his motivations for writing the book, the risks with commercial products, and free tips and tricks you can use immediately . Video Timeline 0 – 1:00 Barry´s background/motivation for writing the book 1:00 – 1:55 What does “naturally” mean? 1:55 – 2:35 Why use a natural flea control approach? 2:35 – 3:55 Risks with common commercial flea control products 3:55 – 4:30 Where to apply natural flea control treatments 4:30 – 7:20 Barry shares specific natural flea control tips Natural Flea Control Products We Recommend: Natural Flea and Tick Spray for Cats Natural Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs Natural Defense Flea & Tick...
by Jack Carrier | May 4, 2009 | Flea Control Videos
Author Barry Silverstein shares with us interesting facts about the flea life-cycle and natural flea control strategy. This is in audio book style.
by Jack Carrier | Apr 27, 2009 | Flea Control Videos
Types of Fleas There are about 2,200 flea species throughout the world, but don’t panic. Humans typically encounter only a few: Cat flea – This is the most common flea in the United States. Despite its name, the cat flea will suck the blood of not only cats, but also dogs and humans. Dog flea – The dog flea really does like dogs best. It is more common in Europe than in the United States. Human flea – The human flea is so named because it is particularly toxic to humans. Its bite can cause allergic reactions or dermatitis, a skin condition. This flea also is a carrier of tapeworms, which can be transmitted to dogs. Oriental rat flea – This flea is less common in the United States, but it does occasionally appear in warmer weather. The Oriental rat flea prefers rats and mice, but when these animals die, the flea moves elsewhere. The flea might carry with it a bacterial disease known as plague. You may recall from history that bubonic plague, or the “black death,” was one of humanity’s most serious challenges. Today, these fleas can still carry plague. Animal infection is possible, but human infection is rare in modern society. Antibiotics are available to effectively treat an infection. Natural Flea Control Products We Recommend: Natural Flea and Tick Spray for Cats Natural Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs Natural Defense Flea & Tick...
by Jack Carrier | Apr 2, 2009 | Flea Control Articles
Many people treat their pets as family, and justly so. Well, when one of your children, or another family member has a rash or infection you take care of it as quickly as possible. Pets also deserve the same quick attention to keep them healthy. Instead of a huge vet bill, why not try an herbal remedy when your pet gets attacked by fleas. Here are a few home remedy suggestions you can try. Give An Herb Bath At the first sign of a flea, bathe your pet with a natural pet shampoo that contains flea-repellent herbs. Pennyroyal or eucalyptus oil boost the bathwater’s flea killing power. A badly infested dog needs a bath about every two weeks; a cat, about once a month. Clean, Clean, and Clean Some More Especially in the Summer, wash the pets bedding in hot soapy water once a week, and dry it in a hot dryer. Also vacuum your rugs every two to three days. Ninty percent of fleas are found where your pet sleeps. Use Natural Powders They generally contain such herbs as rosemary, rue, wormwood, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, or citronella, and sometimes tobacco powder. You can also dust the powder, or just diatomaceous earth, in all the nooks and crannyies you can’t reach by vacuuming. Diatomaceous earth is a great home remedy that removes the fleas waxy coating and dries them out, which kills them. Caution: Wear a dust mask to avoid the easily inhaled, finely ground diatomaceous earth used in swimming pool filteres; and pennyroyal and tobacco powder in large quantities can be toxic to you and your pets. Attack Internally...
by Jack Carrier | Apr 1, 2009 | Flea Control Videos
Do fleas have sex? Do they do it “flea style”? Interestingly enough the answer varies depending on species and environmental conditions. The “water flea”, for example, reproduces asexually under normal conditions, producing more and more females. When conditions change due to overcrowding and limits on food supply, they begin to asexually produce males. The males then “have sex” with the females. The result are eggs encased with a protective coating designed to withstand the enviromental changes. Full “university professor style” article here. The video below explains the flea life cycle and their crazy states of existence. Note: Please disregard the ironic ads you might see for toxic flea control products in these videos as we have no control over which ads display. The toxic pesticide industry is well funded and they advertise everywhere including prime time television. Please join us to educate and spread the word about safer alternatives. How Do Fleas Breed? — powered by...
by Jack Carrier | Apr 1, 2009 | Flea Control Articles, Flea Control Videos
If you only had about 14 days from birth until death, what would you do with your time? If you were a flea you’d be doing two things, eating (biting people and pets) and laying eggs. A flea’s mission is life is to eat and reproduce, which is not unlike some humans I’ve encountered. With a life span that short, they have nothing to lose, and will not hesitate to bite you without your permission. The key is to create an environment very, very uninviting. Use natural products in and around your house to make these little resilient bugs prefer to be somewhere else. Note: Please disregard the ironic ads you might see for toxic flea control products in these videos as we have no control over which ads display. The toxic pesticide industry is well funded and they advertise everywhere including prime time television. Please join us to educate and spread the word about safer alternatives. How Long Can Fleas Live? — powered by...
by Jack Carrier | Apr 1, 2009 | Flea Control Videos
It completely depends where you live. Since fleas don’t know how to read calendars they 100% rely on environmental conditions. Fleas typically thrive in hot and humid climates. They either go dormant or do not exist in dry, cold climates. I once lived in Northern California at an elevation of about 6,500 feet and there were no fleas or ticks. I’m not sure if it was the elevation or the low humidity, but it was a pet paradise. On the other hand, here in the south-eastern United States, fleas can drive you mad unless you have a strategy for dealing with them. The season here in western North Carolina runs from about May to November. You will be ahead of the game to begin treatments about one month earlier than the first hatching. Note: Please disregard the ironic ads you might see for toxic flea control products in these videos as we have no control over which ads display. The toxic pesticide industry is well funded and they advertise everywhere including prime time television. Please join us to educate and spread the word about safer alternatives. When Is Flea Season? — powered by...
