No one likes pest insects, especially those that bite and might transmit dangerous diseases to our animals, as well as ourselves. But what’s the best solution to this problem? Many products targeted toward these pests, ranging from premise sprays to topicals, are indeed effective in killing insects or thwarting their reproductive process, but at what cost to our safety?
Traditional pest control products typically use chemicals that, in the long run, can cause harm to your animals, the environment, and even you and your family. One group of ingredients found in fly spray for horses are pyrethroids, which are considered a neurotoxin and, according to the EPA, may have reproductive and developmental toxicity to humans.
And what happens when we spray our animals, pastures, or barns with products containing chemicals such as this? While many pesticides break down quickly, some stick around for a long time. These are known as persistent pesticides, and they can build up in the bodies of animals, as well as in streams, ponds, and other waterways.
One persistent pesticide is cypermethrin (in the pyrethroid family), commonly found in chemical fly sprays. Cypermethrin stays in the environment for approximately sixteen weeks and is extremely toxic to aquatic life.
Pesticide exposures have been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, reproduction problems, neurotoxicity, kidney and liver damage, birth defects, as well as developmental changes in many animal species, so it’s best to avoid them whenever you can.
Safer Alternatives
The best way to combat the negative impact of pesticides is to use organic practices around your farm and to support organic agriculture rather than conventional agriculture, which heavily depends on pesticide use. Likewise, using natural alternatives to traditional pest control is also a great way to keep your animals and the environment safe.
The Holistic Horse has a variety products aimed at controlling different types of pests. Here are a few:
Topper’s Bug Buster All Natural Fly Spray – Peppermint Tingle: This all-natural fly spray includes a blend of essential oils and is safe for both horses and dogs.
Note: never use products with essential oils on cats.
Fly Die: An all-natural, safe, non-pathogenic product containing diatomaceous earth and herbs that kill pests without the use of toxic chemicals.
Mosquito Die: A 100% all natural, chemical free product which contains a pest attracting herb. This product kills mosquito larvae before they hatch, thereby disrupting the breeding cycle.
Stall Guard: This product eliminates odor, moisture, and flies for clean odor-free stalls. It’s a 100% natural organic compound that will kill larvae in bedding and manure.
Flea Guard for dogs and cats: This flea and tick powder contains flea repelling essential oils (for dogs) or flea repelling herbs (for cats). Both products are 100% natural, safe, and effective. These products can also be applied to carpets and animal bedding for maximum results.
Flea and Tick Wellness Oil: A safe and effective topical application for flea control in dogs. This product contains certified organic ingredients and has no side effects, synthetic preservatives, petroleum based ingredients, or harsh chemicals.
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