Songbirds being killed by pesticides found in pet fur flea treatments
Exclusive: Chemical in treatment for pet fleas and ticks is found in nests of blue and great tits, killing chicks
www.theguardian.com
Tick and flea products are killing birds and bees
- Thread starter M.F.
- Start date
www.theguardian.com
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
That had never occurred to me before! I never use flea prevention and never had the need to do so. I don't think it should be used routinely, unless a real need. I have never liked the thought of my dogs having chemicals in their blood stream or their coats.
I also don’t use tick and flea products at all, and no dewormers either. But I stopped cos they caused seizures in Snowie. And only then did it occur to me what poisons I was giving him. The mind boggles when we think it’s okay giving a dog such poisons as a routine thing.
I’ve become far more conscious of the pollution I’m putting into the environment, especially since recently, there has been a huge awareness campaign of just how polluted our beaches are due to untreated raw sewage being pumped into our oceans. We’ve stopped using fabric softener, instead use white vinegar. I know it’s literally a drop in the ocean, but I believe every little effort helps. I don’t use anything in our garden, just the compost we make ourselves. I love hearing the bees in the garden and don’t mind the snails and “frilly” leaves. But there’s so much more I can do. Washing dog bedding and vacuuming frequently is an effort, but I will never use tick and flea products again.
I’ve become far more conscious of the pollution I’m putting into the environment, especially since recently, there has been a huge awareness campaign of just how polluted our beaches are due to untreated raw sewage being pumped into our oceans. We’ve stopped using fabric softener, instead use white vinegar. I know it’s literally a drop in the ocean, but I believe every little effort helps. I don’t use anything in our garden, just the compost we make ourselves. I love hearing the bees in the garden and don’t mind the snails and “frilly” leaves. But there’s so much more I can do. Washing dog bedding and vacuuming frequently is an effort, but I will never use tick and flea products again.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Thanks for posting this @MF - in my view
it's really important to raise awareness of this, and that all of us need to be mindful of the harm we can unwittingly do to our environment.
I'm fortunate with Cass as she just doesn't get them and has never had flea or tick treatment in her life. My previous cats and dogs were only ever treated as necessary.
it's really important to raise awareness of this, and that all of us need to be mindful of the harm we can unwittingly do to our environment.
I'm fortunate with Cass as she just doesn't get them and has never had flea or tick treatment in her life. My previous cats and dogs were only ever treated as necessary.
I absolutely agree, and am totally aware of just how poisonous tick and flea medications are. Our woods are literally crawling with ticks, which can also carry borreolosis in our area, but I don't use anything at all on Poppy (just check her all the time), and only the collar on Merlin - and even then only on the worst period, from April to July.
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
We don't use anything with Ella either. I used to worm her but she was so sensitive to so many of the brands (had reactions that made her unable to settle for hours, just pacing around) that it just didn't seem worth it.
I have used one of the nasties a couple of times - Bravecto - due to tick sightings on Ella and the risk of paralysis ticks. Paralysis ticks are lethal so I had to weigh up the risks.
An interesting but unrelated thought. Our old vet used to push all the time re worms/fleas/ticks but our new vet hasn't asked once
I have used one of the nasties a couple of times - Bravecto - due to tick sightings on Ella and the risk of paralysis ticks. Paralysis ticks are lethal so I had to weigh up the risks.
An interesting but unrelated thought. Our old vet used to push all the time re worms/fleas/ticks but our new vet hasn't asked once
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I read somewhere that vets are not advocating flea treatments as they used to do.An interesting but unrelated thought. Our old vet used to push all the time re worms/fleas/ticks but our new vet hasn't asked once
- Location
- Isle of Man
Ours push, push, push the Pet Health Club which includes flea/tick/worm treatment. I decline, decline, decline every time.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Likewise
Our vet uses a flea comb to check for flea poo. He’s never found any and has never pushed any flea or tick products. However, I have noticed his own dogs (Goldens, always with him in the vet practice) wear two collars, so I’m assuming one is for fleas and ticks. I haven’t asked about the collars and I don’t know if they only wear them when they are “at work”.
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
Oh, I do give Ella her annual heartworm prevention though. She has it as an injection with her other annual vaccinations.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I think that is important if there is heart worm around.