BBC's Springwatch, and Dr. Sean McCormack explore how pet flea treatments join sewage and agricultural runoff as major threats to the health of our rivers and waterways. These vital ecosystems provide food, water, and habitat for countless species. The main pollutant are ingredients such as fipronil and imidacloprid found in common flea treatments.
A single drop of spot flea treatment can cover the entire animal for up to 28 days, killing fleas and ticks. However, it's not selective – it can kill insects too. Studies estimate that one drop can kill 25 million bees. In water, these chemicals can travel three-quarters of a mile downriver.
Data shows that 99% of English rivers contained fipronil, and 66% contained imidacloprid – two very potent insecticides.
A team tested 98 dogs with spot-on flea treatments. After 28 days, the dogs still tested positive for the chemicals. The pesticides were also found in wastewater after bathing the dogs and from owners washing their hands.
Roughly half of all households in the UK own a pet. Surveys suggest a third of pet owners subscribe to year-round, monthly flea treatments. This means around 85 million treatments could be entering our rivers from households through the sewer system each year. From 2018 to January of this year, these chemicals were found over 52,000 times across rivers in England.
You can watch the full clip below:
We’ve created a safe, all natural Flea Treatment for dogs. Made with soothing lavender and peppermint hydrolats, aloe vera and carefully selected citrus essential oils it repels fleas & ticks while keeping your pup's skin healthy. Plus, all the ingredients are natural & diluted so they won't harm wildlife and unlike chemical treatments, ours won't pollute our waterways.
Lavender Hydrolat - 41ml
Peppermint Hydrolat - 41ml
Aloe Vera Clear - 15ml
Lemongrass - 0.2ml
Lemon - 0.5ml
Orange Sweet - 0.5ml
Grapefruit - 0.5ml
Lime - 0.15ml
Tocopherol - 0.1ml
Euxyl K712 - 1ml
Our solution is easy to use best used in a spray bottle. Our treatment is made with a hydrolat base. What’s a hydrolat? Hydrolats are gentle and effective. Also known as floral waters they are produced by steam distillation of botanical materials used during the production of essential oils and contain microscopic drops of essential oils.
Lavender Hydrolat - Lavandula angustfolia
More than just a bug repellent, lavender hydrolat is a natural multi-tasker for your dog. This gentle spray repels fleas, ticks, mosquitos, and other pests while soothing irritated skin with its anti-inflammatory properties. Its antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial qualities make it a safe and effective choice. Studies even show it disrupts tick reproduction (Selles et al., 2021). Plus, lavender's calming effect helps ease anxiety and freshen your dog's coat.
Peppermint Hydrolat - Mentha x pipertia
Peppermint hydrolat is a safer alternative option to the essential oil whilist also providing the benefits of the oil. The hydrolat can repel insects such as ticks and fleas.
Recent studies showed that peppermint solvent is effective at inhibiting the spawning of female engorged ticks and fleas, and can kill tick larvae (Phacharaporn Tadee et al., 2024).
Aloe Vera - Aloe Barbadensis
Aloe vera boasts a wealth of benefits for canine skin and coat health. As a natural hydrator, it nourishes and prevents dryness. Its anti-inflammatory and cooling properties soothe irritated skin from bug bites. Furthermore, aloe vera's anti-microbial, antiviral, and antifungal properties promote healing and reduce itching, rejuvenating the skin. An additional benefit may be flea removal.
Due to its natural parasiticide properties and ability to raise the skin's pH level (making it inhospitable for fleas), aloe vera may help deter these pests.
Lemongrass Essential Oil - Cymbopogon Citratus
Lemongrass oil packs a powerful punch against pests. Containing citral and geraniol, it not only repels fleas and ticks but also disinfects the area. This versatile oil boasts strong antifungal and antibacterial properties, making it a natural choice for disinfection. Plus, its pleasant aroma eliminates unpleasant odors, leaving your pet smelling fresh.
Lemon Essential Oil - Citrus limon
Lemon essential oil goes beyond just repelling fleas. Its antiseptic, antibacterial, astringent, and disinfectant properties make it a multi-purpose solution. The strong aroma not only discourages fleas but also helps prevent them from coming back in the first place.
Orange Sweet Essential Oil - Citrus Sinesis
The scent of sweet orange essential oil helps to repel fleas, ticks and other pests. The essential oil has antibacterial and cleansing properties which help eliminate bacteria and reduces itchiness by restoring moisture and balancing the skin’s pH. The sweet scent also deodorises unpleasant smells whilst topically increasing blood flow to relieve discomfort from inflammation and soothing skin dryness. Orange sweet antiseptic qualities clear away the excess oil and debris in the skin.
Grapefruit Essential Oil - Citrus Paradisi
Grapefruit is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and mood-enhancing for pets. It also aids in repellency or inhibition of parasites like mosquitoes and ticks. It can prevent or treat infections of the skin, ears and even oral cavities. Studies on the naturally occurring chemical compounds in grapefruit, nootkatone has shown its potential to protect particularly against ticks.
Lime Essential Oil - Citrus Aurantifolia
A study found that lime essential oil has a fumigant toxicity against flea species such as Ctenocephalides Felis. The essential oil is effective against all life stages of the fleas except the pupal stage whilst also effective against other insects such as mites and mosquitoes (Khanikor, Adhikari and Rabha, 2021). Lime essential oil not only eliminates germs and bacteria but also leaves are refreshing aroma with its natural deodorising ability.
Tocopherol - Tocopherol
Tocopherol is an essential nutrient, rich in antioxidants which protect the skin cells from damage caused free radicals. The antioxidants quench the free radical molecules preventing skin damage. The ingredient can be used to treat mites, eczema and flea allergy dermatitis (Kubesy et al., 2020).
Euxyl K712 - Sodium Benzoate (and) Potassium Sorbate (and) Aqua (Water)
A highly effective preservative against bacteria, yeast and mold. The product is skin friendly, derived from natural source of ingredients with a full effective ability in all systems.
Karen Dennis
August 05, 2024
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