ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996 TAG: 9609050036
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
TRADITIONAL FORMULAS
PYRETHRINS: Adult flea and tick insecticides derived from the chrysanthemum plant. Often enhanced with piperonyl butoxide to reduce pest resistance. Available as powders, shampoos, sprays, dips, pour-ons, collars and foams for animals; bombs and foggers for the home and yard. Synthetic variations: pyrethroids, permethrins.
Pros: Lowest per-dose cost, $5 - $10. Quick killing action; widely available at pet stores.
Cons: Can be toxic to animals, humans if overused; can be messy, irritating to skin; effective just 1-2 weeks; most collars considered ineffective.
ORGANOPHOSPHATES: Adult flea and tick insecticides originally made to protect crops, plants. Available as powders, rinses, pour-ons, dips for pets, bombs, foggers for home. Names: chlorpyrifos (brand name: Dursban) carbaryl (brand name: Sevin), malathion.
Pros: Quick killing action; may last longer than pyrethrins.
Cons: Can be toxic to children if absorbed through the skin.
INSECT GROWTH REGULATORS: For fleas only, they prevent larval stage fleas from growing into biting adults. Sprays, shampoos for pet; sprays for carpets, furniture, yard. Names: methoprene (brand name: Precor); pyriproxyfen (brand names: Nylar, Knockout)
Pros: Safe, some sprays work for up to six months.
Cons: Won't kill adult fleas; won't kill ticks at all.
DESSICANTS: Powders, sprays spread through carpets, furniture to dry out the home and inhibit growth of larvae. Names: diatomaceous earth, sodium borate, sodium polyborate.
Pro: Lasts up to a year.
Con: Won't kill adult fleas, won't kill ticks. Diatomaceous earth can irritate human asthmatics, can cause breathing problems if inhaled in large amounts. If applied by exterminator, can cost more than $150.
NEW PRODUCTS
LUFENURON: Brand name, Program. Drug prevents fleas from reproducing once they bite the pet. Available in pill or liquid, for dogs and cats.
Pros: Each dose lasts one month. Safe, even when used with other products; Give after a meal to avoid nausea.
Cons: Higher cost: roughly $30 for 6-month supply, veterinarian visit required; takes 30-90 days to kill all fleas. Initially, must be used with insecticide; won't kill ticks.
IMIDACLOPRID: Brand name, Advantage. An insecticide, dripped from a small tube to the skin in the back of the pet's neck.
Pros: Kills almost all fleas within a day; each application lasts a month; easier to administer and safer than pyrethrins, organophosphates.
Cons: cost: roughly $30 for 4-month supply, veterinarian visit required; May cause skin, eye irritation, harmful if swallowed; won't kill ticks.
FIPRONIL: Brand name, Frontline. Long-lasting spray insecticide.
Pros: Kills fleas and ticks; lasts 1-3 months on dogs, 1 month on cats; safer than pyrethrins, organophosphates.
Cons: Slightly higher up-front cost, $20 to $40 per bottle (roughly three applications), veterinarian visit required; must be sprayed on the pet's entire body and rubbed in. Eye irritant. May not kill ticks fast enough to prevent them from transferring disease.
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
LENGTH: Medium: 70 linesby CNB