The Natural Resources Defense Council filed suit in May 2009 in California to urge federal regulators to remove some toxic flea collars off the market. They are manufactured by Wellmark International Corp. and Farnam Co.s. The law suit claims that products sold have unsafe levels of propoxur, a carcinogen, in violation of state law, and contain a neurotoxin TCVP. These products are sold in grocery stores and other retail outlets. Other manufacturers named in the suit---Harts Moutain Group, Sargeant’s Pet Care Products Inc. and Vibrac. They have purportedly made many pets ill, and pose a risk especially for infants and any one close to a collared pet.

Many readers have heard my warnings about topical flea and tick products for many years, and use my integrated flea control system detailed in the special reports in the Companion Animal Care section on this website. Now the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is at long last going to evaluate all the reports of adverse reactions in dogs and cats. FORTY FOUR THOUSAND potential incidents associated with registered spot-on products were reported to the EPA in 2008!

Essential oils of lavender, peppermint, lemongrass, sage, thyme and neem are some of the natural botanicals that repel fleas, ticks and other biting insects. Possible one of the safer topical flea products may be the new Vectra D3 manufactured by Summit VetPharm. But I would advise using after all measures detailed in my integrated pest management fail to control the infestation.