I watched ‘Springwatch’ on Tuesday evening, and was especially interested in the item about how pesticides from the treatments people use to prevent fleas on their dogs and cats are leaching into our rivers and killing other insects….
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002059t/springwatch-2024-episode-10?seriesId=unsliced&page=2
I’ve been aware of the potential danger to the animals which are treated, and to the people who stroke and cuddle them, but had never thought of the knock-on effect of those chemicals getting into water systems either when dogs play in a river or lake, or garden pond – are washed, or when people wash their hands after applying the chemicals to their pets.
Well done ‘Springwatch’ for bringing this to the attention of the public. Many who genuinely care for animals and the environment will be appalled at their own potential contribution to this problem.
There is an alternative. Years ago, Mike and I didn’t like the idea of inflicting the chemicals used in flea collars on Cat Souxie, or on the humans stroking her!
A very kind vet advised us to mix a bit of finely chopped garlic, or garlic granules, into Souxie’s food to stop her getting fleas. It worked. Then when Ben-The-Dog joined our household we did the same. Carefully mixing garlic granules into his food, I felt like a gourmet chef for pets! Ben was with us for 12 and a half years, and he never had fleas.
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