Frontline Alternatives

Many flea and tick treatments for pets contain toxic chemicals that can do more harm than good. While these products, such as Frontline, are effective in reducing and eliminating ticks from pets, some treatments contain toxins such as tetrachlorvinphos, carbaryl and propoxur. These chemicals have been found to cause cancer in animals and, in some products, the dosage is more than is necessary to effectively treat fleas and ticks. If you do not want to use chemical based flea and tick products like Frontline, there are many alternatives that are healthier for your pet and for you.

  1. Frequent Washing and Bathing

    • Giving your pet a soapy bath is an effective method in eliminating fleas and ticks. In addition to giving your pet more frequent baths, wash any bedding that the pet sleeps on, because fleas, ticks and their eggs can gather in these areas. Wash bedding in hot and soapy water to ensure that they are killed.

    Combing

    • Comb your pet regularly with a flea and tick comb. Not only does this reduces fleas, but it also provides an opportunity for regular monitoring of your pet. It will also allow you to check whether your methods are keeping your pet flea and tick free.

    Indoors

    • Regular cleaning and vacuuming of your home will also reduce flea and tick activity. Vacuum in corners, under and also behind furniture. In addition to vacuuming, steam clean your carpets and floors regularly. The steam will kill fleas, ticks, eggs or larvae that the vacuum cannot get to.

    Maintaining Outdoor Areas

    • Maintaining your outdoor areas is another alternative to using pesticides. Keeping your lawn mowed and maintained will keep fleas from gathering in the yard. Nematodes can be used in yards as a non-chemical aid to control fleas in yard areas.

    Essential Oils

    • There are many essential oils that are safer flea and tick remedies. Oil of cedar wood, oil of peppermint, oil of rosemary and oil of thyme are a few that show the lowest risk to pets and humans. Pesticides using these oils present a lower risk than products such as Frontline. In addition, peppermint and rosemary are listed on the EcoWise Certified IPM Program Materials List. EcoWise is a group that advocates limited use of pesticides and certifies ingredients as safer alternatives.