Pesticide Use for the Pests that Pester our Pets
If you’re like me, you want to protect your pets from the pests that harm them or make them sick, especially if it’s something you can prevent. In Florida, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are a year-round threat to pet health due to its warm and humid climate. These pests thrive in these conditions. Fortunately, protecting your pet is easier than ever thanks to several preventive solutions available on the market.
Pests
While all the biting and itching makes fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes obvious nuisances, the bigger concern is their ability to vector diseases that affect both people and pets. Fleas can transmit plague (Yersinia pestis), murine typhus (Rickettsia typhi), and tapeworms. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other pathogens.
Likewise, infected female mosquitoes can transmit heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) to dogs, cats, and even ferrets. Left untreated, heartworms can lead to severe organ damage and ultimately death, making prevention especially important in mosquito-friendly climates like Florida.
Pesticides and Pet Protection
By definition, a product is a pesticide if it is intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate a pest. Many pet medications, particularly over the counter (OTC) products, are regulated pesticides that have been registered for use with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
Flea and Tick Control
These products are available as spot-on topicals, treated collars, sprays, and shampoos, and may contain the following active ingredients:
- Fipronil
- Methoprene
- Pyriproxyfen
- Permethrin
Heartworm Preventives
On the other paw, heartworm preventives, while still considered pesticides, are regulated and approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). These products require:
- A negative blood test to rule out adult heartworms, and
- A prescription from a licensed veterinarian
These medications are usually administered monthly and come in a chewable pill that most dogs love to take.
Common active ingredients for heartworm preventives include:
- Ivermectin
- Milbemycin oxime
- Moxidectin
- Selamectin
Safe and Effective Use is Key
As with any pesticide, it is essential to read and follow the label. Most importantly, pet owners must know that products are not interchangeable, and dosage rates are based on factors such as age, weight, species, and overall health of the pet. Improper use can reduce effectiveness or cause harm, especially in households with multiple pets. Therefore, it is important to check with your veterinarian prior to administering any pesticides or pet medications. Summer is here: protect your pets from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes now!
UF/IFAS recommends annual veterinary checkups and following their guidance when choosing and applying pet pest control products.
Learn More
For additional UF/IFAS and federal resources on pet pests and prevention, visit:
Fleas: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/fleas
Ticks: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/ticks
Pets & Pesticides: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PI300
Read the Label: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pesticideinformation/tag/parts-of-a-pesticide-label/
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