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Safer, healthier pet care

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Protect your family and your pets from the harmful effects of dangerous pesticides by using easy, inexpensive and nontoxic methods to control fleas on your pet, in your home and in your yard.

Safer, healthier pet care

Protect your family and your pets from the harmful effects of dangerous pesticides by using easy, inexpensive and nontoxic methods to control fleas on your pet, in your home and in your yard.

Find safer, cleaner ways to dispose of pet waste

Don’t assume flea and tick products are safe for you, your pet or your children

Fleas make your dog or cat itchy, cause skin problems and transmit tapeworms. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, which can be quite serious if left untreated. But products on the market to fight fleas and ticks are not always safe.

Pesticide levels from some flea collars can be many times higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's acceptable levels for adult safety. Flea products applied in the home may last months on carpets and furniture, putting you and your children at risk.

Because children’s nervous systems are still developing, they’re more vulnerable to serious and long-term effects. And children are more likely to come into direct contact with pesticides that are used on family pets. They typically touch pets more than adults do, crawl on the floor where pesticide residues accumulate, play with pet toys and put their hands in their mouths.

Choose prevention over poison

To control fleas and ticks, start with prevention – it’s easy, effective and economical. Metro natural gardening expert Carl Grimm shared top flea prevention tips on KATU’s AM Northwest.

Watch the video

Healthy pets are less susceptible to pests. Feed your pet a diet that is free of allergens and promotes healthy skin.

Bathe dogs regularly. If possible, bathe cats regularly as needed. Use a nontoxic shampoo or soap.

Comb your pet with a flea comb regularly. Dip the comb in hot, soapy water to drown fleas. Bathing and combing are especially important during flea and tick season, spring through early fall.

Flea larvae feed on dust and debris. Regular cleaning helps remove flea eggs and biting adults from your home. Vacuum floors, carpets and upholstery at least once a week and wash throw rugs regularly. Discard the vacuum bag in the trash or place it in a plastic bag and freeze for 24 hours to kill fleas. Steam clean carpets first if you have a flea infestation and want to remove larvae.

Establish one sleeping area for your pet and wash bedding regularly. Always wash bedding whenever you bathe your pet.

Since fleas prefer damp, shady places, let your lawn go dormant in the summer. And whether you water or not during the summer, be sure to mow regularly to reduce flea-friendly shade and allow the grass to dry out between waterings.

Monitor for ticks

Ticks carry and transmit Lyme disease, which can be quite serious if left untreated. Prompt tick removal makes Lyme disease less likely. Brush pets and inspect skin thoroughly after they have been in areas where ticks are common. Always look for ticks behind your pet’s ears and between toes. If you find a tick embedded in the skin, remove it carefully and kill it.

Safer products for flea control

To control fleas and ticks, start with prevention (see above), then use the least-toxic chemical solutions only if needed to protect your family from exposure to harmful pesticides.

Before using any product, read the directions and follow all safety and storage instructions. Even the safest products should be used carefully, with some requiring skin, eye or respiratory protection.

Before making a purchase, remember:

• Avoid over-the-counter flea and tick collars and always read product labels thoroughly before you make a purchase. Find out more 
• Herbal flea control products are available from natural and conventional pet supply stores. Read labels to make sure ingredients are safe and follow directions for use. Find out more 
• If you choose to use chemical flea and tick products, consult with your veterinarian about the safest choices to control the problem. Find out more 

Related Internet links

• American Association of Poison Control Centers

  (http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/NPDSPoisonData/AnnualReports/tabid/125/Default.aspx)

• Center for Public Integrity: Perils of the new pesticides

  (http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/pesticides/articles/entry/1080/)

• Humane Society of America

  (http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/flea_tick_OTC_pet_products.html)

• Washington Toxics Coalition

  (http://www.watoxics.org)

• National Pesticide Information Center

  (http://npic.orst.edu/pets2.html)

• Natural Resource Defense Council

  (http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/pets/execsum.asp)

• NRDC: How to control fleas without chemicals

  (http://www.simplesteps.org/health/pets/how-control-fleas-without-chemicals)

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  (http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/flea-tick.htm#safety)

• U.S. Health and Human Services household products database

  (http://www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm)