Buzz Off – Pest Prevention (Part 2)

Bugs really do ruin everything fun about the summertime! Who doesn't like BBQ's that run from dawn to dusk (ok, so dawn in this case may mean like 2 in the afternoon). I can only thank my lucky stars that none of my pets have gotten fleas, even though they often travel outside. They despise flea collars so much. Even when forced on them, they somehow manage to get the collars off. I don't know how effective flea collars really are, but I am sure that every little bit would help.

I've never had any luck with flea collars, either. Just baths and heavy-duty topical treatments! I'm also hesitant to put flea collars (or any collars, for that matter) on cats that climb trees and could get stuck. Breakaway or not I don't want to risk coming home to find my cat hung in a tree!

I've found that all that works, all the time, is the prescription type* spot treatments. I like Frontline. It's expensive, but worth every cent. They sell spot types at the supermarket (Hartz?), for about 1/10 the cost but it doesn't work, (found that out the hard way).

* At one point I could only get this type at the vet, but can now get it at PetCo.

Agreed! BioSpot is okay, but not great. I just ordered this season's Frontline from Dr.'s Foster & Smith.com (no prescription required, which is what prevented me from getting it in the past).

I've also found that the Frontline will kill ticks, but not before they "dig in". It will kill them before they actually suck blood, so perhaps it will diminish the chance of spreading some disease.

I have a Brittany and a Springer, and the girls just love to run through the woods. I brush them out and check them over, but sometimes I can miss a tick or two, (I check myself out too).

So far, the ticks don't seem to be bad this year, but we'll see.

Since my cat lives exclusively indoors, I try to avoid getting scammed by the vet as much as possible and treat her at home for fleas with spot-treatments as well. I haven't tried Frontline, but after reading the positive reviews from both you and Bricktop, I will probably try it. The thought of fleas on her, me, or in my house is gross enough to make me want to spend the extra money.

Many years ago, I found dusting the carpet and pet bedding liberally with boric acid was the only real cure for a flea infestation, after trying all sorts of things recommended by vets and other animal "specialists". It seems the boric acid prevents the larvae from maturing. Works on cockroaches, also- sprinkle liberally in crevices and around the edges where cockroaches like to tread...Boric acid is apparently harmless if injested by pets or humans.

With regards to mosquitoes, sand fleas, noseeums and other critters desiring a blood meal at dawn or dusk, I have found the most effective treatment is a heavy coating of body lotion. I have not evaluated various brands- usually the brand I use is whatever is available in those tiny packages in the hotel room. I don't know if the oil discourages actual attacks, disguises the signals that attract the pests in the first place, or simply stop the itching after the attack, but it sure improves the comfort level.

Boric acid is really harmless to mammals including humans.

As it is a necessary plant fertilizer some is existing in natural food.

Safe estimated level is 100mg of boron per day, first headaches (gone after 1 day as there seems to be no accumulation in our body) at 500mg/day.

100 mg boron converts to 545 mg boric-acid (HBO₃).

100 years ago boric acid was used widely as a preservative of many foods. But with the advent of refrigeration partly forgotten and partly banned because of misuse.

RHABE

With regards to mosquitoes, sand fleas, noseeums and other critters desiring a blood meal at dawn or dusk, I have found the most effective treatment is a heavy coating of body lotion.

Interesting tip - I'm going to have to give this a try. Mosquitos and noseeums are the worst!

No one has mentioned ants, but, since we are discussing repelents, try a bit of fresh-ground pepper to deter an ant invasion at your next picnic...

The anopheles mosquito that spreads most Malaria in Africa is believed to bite at night; in most countries from about 21:00 hrs to 04:00 hrs. They are actually anthropophilic, though not exclusively so (prefer biting humans). They also prefer to live indoors which is why the most successful system for fighting the dreaded malaria is the spraying in and around houses coupled with the use of treated sleeping/bed nets.

A few drops of Lavender oil rubbed onto all exposed skin areas works wonders against Mossies. You don't need to see a schmeer, almost the "thought" is enough to keep them off....a small bottle lasts ages. Do not over do it......

This was tested extensively last summer in Italy on people with use who were being attacked (we had already used it so we had no problems) and the attacks stopped immediately.....

Old English cottages had a bush at each corner of the house......sadly, the hard winter has killed off much of ours.....