Post by Brooke on May 17, 2004 0:17:12 GMT -5
Posted on Wed, May. 12, 2004
Keeping pests off pets starts in the lawn
BY DR. SHAWN MESSONNIER
The Dallas Morning News
(KRT) - Q: I'm interested in using a natural approach to pest control this year. I really don't have time to apply products to my lawn and garden. When I call lawn services for help, they can only recommend chemicals. Do you have any suggestions?
A: While many owners have the time and ability to apply the natural treatments I recommend (diatomaceous earth, beneficial nematodes, citrus oil, etc.), some owners are too busy to carry out a regular program. Most traditional lawn and garden services use conventional chemicals. Unfortunately, these add to the toxicity of our yards and gardens. Thankfully, some companies are realizing the benefits of a natural approach to pest control, lawn and garden weed control, and fertilization. One company that I found on the Internet is NaturaLawn of America. This company is nationwide; you can find a local branch by going to www.naturlawn.com.
NaturaLawn uses natural compounds for pest control. These natural compounds are called biological controls, which are living materials that attack and limit various pests that can hurt your lawn and garden or infest your pet. These biological controls include beneficial nematodes, Bacillus and Milky Spore, as well as neem oil extract, natural pyrethrums and fatty acid-derived insecticidal soaps. These natural compounds are preferred to manmade chemicals, which can kill beneficial soil organisms and can harm pets.
The nice thing about this company is that they can use chemicals on a limited basis when necessary. For example, if you have a pest or weed problem, using chemicals on a limited basis may be needed for quick control of the problem; a more natural approach can be done for long-term control.
I appreciate that you recognize that treating the environment is critical (and actually more important) than simply treating the pet, as most of the pests that infest dogs and cats live in your yard and your house. However, don't forget that controlling fleas and ticks on your pet is important, and the natural approach works great. The earlier you start to work on pest control, the less likely you'll have problems during flea and tick season.
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(Dr. Shawn P. Messonnier, author of the "8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog" and "The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats" is a veterinarian and pet care advocate. Write him at 2145 W. Park Blvd., Plano, TX 75075, or e-mail naturalvet@juno.com)
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© 2004, The Dallas Morning News.
Visit The Dallas Morning News on the World Wide Web at www.dallasnews.com
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
Keeping pests off pets starts in the lawn
BY DR. SHAWN MESSONNIER
The Dallas Morning News
(KRT) - Q: I'm interested in using a natural approach to pest control this year. I really don't have time to apply products to my lawn and garden. When I call lawn services for help, they can only recommend chemicals. Do you have any suggestions?
A: While many owners have the time and ability to apply the natural treatments I recommend (diatomaceous earth, beneficial nematodes, citrus oil, etc.), some owners are too busy to carry out a regular program. Most traditional lawn and garden services use conventional chemicals. Unfortunately, these add to the toxicity of our yards and gardens. Thankfully, some companies are realizing the benefits of a natural approach to pest control, lawn and garden weed control, and fertilization. One company that I found on the Internet is NaturaLawn of America. This company is nationwide; you can find a local branch by going to www.naturlawn.com.
NaturaLawn uses natural compounds for pest control. These natural compounds are called biological controls, which are living materials that attack and limit various pests that can hurt your lawn and garden or infest your pet. These biological controls include beneficial nematodes, Bacillus and Milky Spore, as well as neem oil extract, natural pyrethrums and fatty acid-derived insecticidal soaps. These natural compounds are preferred to manmade chemicals, which can kill beneficial soil organisms and can harm pets.
The nice thing about this company is that they can use chemicals on a limited basis when necessary. For example, if you have a pest or weed problem, using chemicals on a limited basis may be needed for quick control of the problem; a more natural approach can be done for long-term control.
I appreciate that you recognize that treating the environment is critical (and actually more important) than simply treating the pet, as most of the pests that infest dogs and cats live in your yard and your house. However, don't forget that controlling fleas and ticks on your pet is important, and the natural approach works great. The earlier you start to work on pest control, the less likely you'll have problems during flea and tick season.
---
(Dr. Shawn P. Messonnier, author of the "8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog" and "The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats" is a veterinarian and pet care advocate. Write him at 2145 W. Park Blvd., Plano, TX 75075, or e-mail naturalvet@juno.com)
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© 2004, The Dallas Morning News.
Visit The Dallas Morning News on the World Wide Web at www.dallasnews.com
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.