Cockroach

• However, these treatments are polluting our rivers and could pose a health risk to pet-loving families, according to new research.
• They spread over the skin of the animal making it toxic to fleas (and sometimes ticks) for at least one month.
• They’re often sold as part of a pet healthcare plan, whereby pet owners make a monthly payment for a package of year-round treatments.
• There were multiple likely additional pathways for these chemicals to end up going down the drain.

• In my opinion, preventative flea treatment is neither necessary nor desirable in most cases.
• Non-chemical methods such as flea traps, regular hot washing of the animal’s bedding to kill larval fleas and hoovering are effective.
• There are also oral flea and tick treatments such as isoxazolines, which rapidly resolve flea infestations.

Proceed with precaution

• To make sure newer classes of parasiticide such as isoxazolines remain as effective as possible, extensive preventative use cannot continue.
• Previous research has also raised concerns about possible health risks to pet owners and veterinary professionals from chronic exposure to pet parasiticides.
• Our work supports these concerns, demonstrating that fipronil and imidacloprid readily transfer to bedding and owner’s hands, so they will quickly get smeared around the household.

Dave Goulson receives funding from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. He is a member of the Green Party.