Topical Flea & Tick Treatments Contain Toxic Pesticides
Products commonly used to treat fleas and ticks, including spot-on treatments, collars, sprays, and foggers, contain toxic pesticides that can easily spread around your home. Toxic pesticides from these treatments can also end up in our local waterways when you: wash your pet; wash bedding, clothing, floors, carpets or upholstery that comes into contact with your pet; and neglect to dispose of pet waste in the trash.
To avoid exposing your pets, family and Bay Area waterways to toxic pesticides, please speak to your vet about using oral medications to control fleas and ticks and review our recommendations for keeping your pets safe.
- How to Keep Your Pets Free of Fleas and Ticks
- Important Facts about Toxic Chemicals in Certain Flea and Tick Control Products
Media Links:
- “Researchers suspect spot-on flea products pollute water” by Ross Kelly, Veterinary Information Network News, published January 27, 2021
- “Dog and cat flea treatments suspected of polluting San Francisco Bay” by Paul Rogers, San Jose Mercury News, published November 7, 2017
In a 2012 study, researchers monitored homes for a month after using a topical pet treatment and incorporated a fluorescent dye into the spot treatment to photograph the spread.
The photos above are part of a study where researchers incorporated a fluorescent dye into the spot treatment to photograph the spread. Photographs are reprinted from Bigelow Dyk, M., et al. (2012). Fate and distribution of fipronil on companion animals and in their indoor residences following spot-on flea treatments, Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B: Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Wastes, 47(10): 913-924. Reprinted by permission Taylor & Francis LLC.
