Update on Flea and Tick products – EPA

Interesting notice from the EPA:

http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/health/flea-tick-control.html

It’s hard to know the right thing to do regarding flea/tick control products.  On the one hand, ticks can transmit serious disease so one wants to use these products to kill any rogue ticks.  Also, some dogs are allergic to flea bites so it behooves them to have a preventative.  On the other hand,  putting chemicals on ones pet that *could* potentially harm them in the long run is not a great option either!   

Fortunately our tick problem in California isn’t as bad as other parts of the country.   I try not to use flea/tick products.  Haven’t had a problem with fleas, and use spray repellents for ticks.

I recently found out about a natural tick repellent recipe one can make to use before going hiking (or other tick-infested areas).  Supposedly it works really well.  For those that want to get something ready-made, Avon makes a skin-so-soft Bug Guard repellent that seems to work too.  I just sprayed the last of my supply liberally on Sport when hiking the other day and so far I haven’t seen a tick on her.   Hoping one doesn’t show up now that I’ve said that.

Here’s the tick spray recipe (which I haven’t tried yet).  

Tick Spray – 4 ounces

3 ounces of distilled water
1 tsp vegetable glycerine
1/2 ounce of grain alchohol (like vodka)
7 to 10 drops of geranium oil 

I’m planning to look for geranium oil at Whole Foods and make this spray.