Extracted from Only Angels: How to Raise and Train the Perfect Greyhound
The more pesticides you use, the more fleas you will have. There are four universal truths regarding insects:
1. Insects will eat.
2. You can’t eradicate all bugs.
3. Pesticides will ALWAYS end up backfiring because insects adapt.
4. Pesticides can be harmful to your dog, your children, and you.
Pesticides, sooner or later, will be counterproductive for the user. They are effective when initially used, but over time their effectiveness wears off and eventually the insects will develop stronger generations that are immune to them. This is because the insects reproduce quickly and have many offspring that have mutations that resist the insecticide. As this process occurs, living insects will pass on their new genetic traits to offspring, and most of the new generation will be immune to insecticides. So we have to keep proposing newer and more robust alternatives.
Pesticides have one big drawback: they are all dangerous.
Pesticides are also expensive. Just ask anyone who uses the monthly spot-on products. Every time you use pesticides on your dog, you are also using them on yourself. Whether you use a few drops of a product, a spray, or a powder, everyone in the home will be exposed. Even professionally applied pesticides evaporate a bit and affect the people who live in the house. Pesticides have been shown time and time again to have very negative effects on pregnant or nursing women, babies and young children, as well as cats, dogs and birds. I’ve never been a fan of toxic insecticides, but when I found out that the monthly flea products you apply to your back are derived from nerve gases, I knew I would never use them.
so what is the alternative? The natural approach. Why? Because it is effective, economical and does not harm you, your dog or the environment. There are many methods used in natural flea control. Manual harvesting is very effective. Every time your dog comes in from outside, quickly run a narrow-toothed flea comb over him and wash the critters down the drain. This can be time consuming if you live in a multi-dog household, but luckily there are other methods. Fleas live on outdoor plants. Adding algae to the soil helps plants develop their own arsenal against pests. Kelp is an important and underrated defensive weapon. When composted into the soil, it adds many nutrients and plant enzymes that act as preventatives against insect pests.
Two of my favorite natural weapons against fleas are diatomaceous earth (sometimes called diatomaceous dust) and steam cleaning carpets and dog bedding. Diatomaceous earth is a mined mineral product consisting of the remains of fossilized single-celled diatoms that lived nearly thirty million years ago. It kills pests like fleas, worms, or any hard-shelled insect because its sharp silica edges pierce its soft shell. Therefore, insects cannot become immune to it. It is inexpensive and considered safe for humans and animals. It is even added to some pet foods to kill parasites and intestinal worms. It is also used in stored animal feed to detect pests. Animals such as birds that eat the insects killed by the diatomaceous earth particles will not be harmed. There’s a word of caution when it comes to diatomaceous earth: there are two grades. One is the type used to filter pools and spread around the garden, the other is food grade and this is the only type to use on your dogs or in your home. Why? Because it will not harm the lungs and eyes. It’s hard to find the food-grade type and my suppliers are constantly changing. When diatomaceous earth is not available, a good alternative to shampoos and sprays is made from Erigeron (Canadian fleabane), a rare herb whose oils dissolve the shells of fleas and other insects without harming you or your pet. Erigeron is preferred over citrus-based natural flea killers that can trigger allergies in some dogs or burn sensitive skin.
There are plenty of other options, including a wide variety of sprays, shampoos, and natural treatments, but I’ve found the easiest, purest, most foolproof way to get rid of fleas: steam. Of all the natural flea control methods I have used, this one works the best:
STEAM YOUR FLEAS AWAY!
I purchased a small hand held pressure steam unit (not the mop type), which is relatively inexpensive compared to the current cost of pesticides. The steam unit has a nozzle that allows the steam to be released as a pressurized stream at 212 degrees F. I treat my carpets, upholstery, and dog bedding every month and voila, zero fleas! It also kills dust mites and is excellent for disinfecting. It is easy. It is not toxic. It is respectful with the environment. Works! I used it weekly at first, but found that over time I could use it less and less and still be flea free.
You can also use the unit to clean and disinfect other areas of your home. Steam kills E.coli and salmonella and is great for cleaning burnt-on food off oven racks or burners. Since using it I have noticed a real improvement in my dust mite allergies so I am assuming it must be killing the mites along with the fleas. There are probably other brands that work as well. This turns out to be the one I use. If you choose to purchase a steam unit, make sure it has a pressure nozzle that allows steam to be released in a strong stream. Gentle steam units for steaming clothes will not work to kill fleas unless they also come with a pressure nozzle.
WARNING: DO NOT STEAM DIRECTLY ON YOUR DOGS AS THE STEAM MAY BURN THEM. It doesn’t seem necessary to say that, but better safe than sorry.
Copyright, Cherie Feherman 1998 and 2010. All rights reserved.