Posted on August 17, 2009 by Nancy Houser

Flies and ticks are dogs’ worst enemies in wet weather, warm springs and hot summers.  And with the excess rain we are having one day and super hot days the next, flies and ticks are taking turns in attacking our dogs from one day to another—pulling straws to see who will go first. So knowing what works in natural fly preventives, natural tick preventives, commercial fly preventives, and commercial tick preventives is only good ol’ common sense and a matter of who prefers what.

Female ticks can increase their body weight by 80 to 120 times in size, with males eating smaller amounts of blood and not increasing in size as much. The probability of Lyme disease being transmitted is influenced by the longer the tick is attached to the body (94% in 96 hours; 79% in 72 hours; 12% in 48 hours; and 0% in 24 hours).

Meanwhile, summer months also bring about flies which can attack and bite the tips of our dog’s ears and in the ear folds, feeding on the blood which is then released. After awhile, with flies continuously attacking, the area will continue to bleed, swells up and becomes tender to touch, with severe crusting beginning to form. If left unattended, the area will become severely infected and secondary infections developing which means a trip to the vet.

A KENNEL WASH DOWN TO MAINTAIN FLY AND TICK PREVENTION

Flies are attracted to dirt, so we wash our kennel houses down with water mixed with Iodine, and for some reason or another the flies take off on a dead run with that one. Hurray! in addition to keeping a large jug of Iodine around, we also pick up feces from our runs on a daily basis which helps 100%.  Inside, we wash the bedding on a regular basis and keep the crates wiped down. BUT I swear the flies and ticks sit on the fence or on the patio, waiting until we leave, then dive bombing the dogs once we leave — soooo — we have had to research some more deadly and serious methods.

We also look for ticks on a daily basis, especially in wet season. By the time you see a huge one, the chance of disease has already begun. So running your fingers through their fur or using a flea comb is good, but a tick preventive is excellent to keep one’s mind at rest.

With so many deadly chemicals going around, we usually try to go with natural fly preventives and natural tick preventives as much as possible. We tried the bag of water with four pennies we had written in our previous article, “A Ziplock Bag of Water and Four Pennies = No Flies“  which works well inside a closed area but not good for large areas or outside.

NATURAL &   COMMERCIAL FLY PREVENTIVES FOR PETS

Some good products to use are “Pet No-Fly Spray” by Miracle Corp. Considered pesticide free it is a combination of Tea Tree Oil and natural repellent ingredients. Available at PetSmart (see our link on the right side), it repels flies, mosquitoes and gnats. Pet owners enjoy it as it is water-based and can be sprayed directly on their pet’s coat and also in kennel areas. One warning: it cannot be used for puppies under eight weeks of age.

For dogs and puppies over 12 weeks of age, available also is “Flys-Off Aerosol for Dogs” for non-feeding surfaces of kennels and bedding areas for the control of flies, gnats and mosquitoes. This can be sprayed directly on the animal’s back, underside, legs, back of neck, base of tail, and inside/outside of their ears.

“Flys-Off” Fly Repellent Ointment is for wounds and sores, a clear formula that is for the application to superficial sores, wounds, scratches, and abrasions in order to repel flies from the animal’s open area. Flies are killed on contact once they land. A daily application is needed, it is safe for puppies over 12 weeks of ages, in addition to horses and ponies over 12 weeks of age. Can also be used around sensitive ear and facial areas without harm.

NATURAL & COMMERCIAL TICK PREVENTIVES

Depending on how natural you want to go, the best natural tick and bug preventive method you can use (and if you live in the country or have understanding and acceptable residential neighbors) is to go and buy about six Guineas Fowl.  Not only excellent for eating ticks and bugs (like Japanese Beetles), Guinea hens also are good for killing snakes and eating weed seeds.

On the plus side, two guineas eggs equal one large chicken egg, as long as they collected several times a day and stored in the refrigerator. The hens lay their eggs in secluded areas, so watch where they hang around. As guinea fowl are notorious to enjoy looking at themselves, one of their favorite perches will be on the deck railing by glass patio doors unless you hang a mirror further away, also enjoying being petted if they are raise young.

If you need something NOW, then try the natural “De Flea Pet Area Spray”, a top seller with pet owners for the control of fleas, ticks, lice and mites in dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and nursing mothers. Not containing pyrethrin-based pesticides, it works effectively on all stages of the insect’s life — eggs, larvae, pupae, and as an adult. Areas which can be sprayed and saturated are carpets, upholstery, bedding, and pets themselves (spray until the entire coat is damp and the solution reaches the skin) as often as you want. WARNING: Not to be used on animals under 12 weeks of age, and cats or kittens can be towel dried after applying as it may cause skin irritation due to their grooming their fur.

Another natural flea preventive and natural tick preventive is “Sentry Natural Defense Flea & Ticks Squeeze-On” for both cats and kittens, or puppies and dogs (sold separately). Killing fleas and ticks on contact, it will remain as a preventive for up to four weeks. Each 1.5 mL sized carton contains three monthly applications of 3% peppermint oil, 4.5% cinnamon oil, 4.5% lemon grass oil, 5% clove oil, and 5% thyme oil with 78% vanilla Isopropyl Myristate, but safe enough to use every two weeks.  Safe for cats and kittens/dogs and puppies who are over 12 weeks of age.

For household usage, the “Sentry Natural Defense” Household Flea & Tick Spray consists of natural botanical extracts for flea, ticks, ants, cockroaches, silverfish, spiders and mosquito control in the home. Harmless to mammals, birds and fish. For indoor use only and not to be used directly on pets, but for protecting areas and entrances where you pets come and go.

RESOURCES

Tick Management

Canine Tick Disease

The House Fly

Flea and Tick Control

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Related posts:

• What is important to know about flea and tick products
• Natural Preventives for Eliminating Fleas
• Pyrethroid-Based Flea and Tick Treatments for Pets
• A Ziplock Bag of Water for Easy Fly Removal
• GUEST SPEAKER: Professionally Grooming Dogs With Fleas