How pesticides work for our pets
It is essential to choose the right pesticide in order to best protect our four-legged friend, but it is also essential to protect ourselves.
How do pesticides work?
Pesticides are used to prevent or eliminate parasites such as ticks, fleas, lice and mites, which can infest dogs and cats.
The most used products are spot-on pipettes, collars, chewable tablets, shampoos and sprays that contain active ingredients capable of repelling or killing the parasite. The chewable tablets eliminate fleas and ticks for a whole month and act quickly. They eliminate fleas before they can lay eggs and prevent the home from being contaminated by fleas
Types of pesticides
Pesticides, which are distinguished based on the format, duration of protection and application.
Chewable tablets
They act selectively on the nerve cells of fleas and ticks, causing their rapid death.
Spot-on
They are applied topically to the dog's skin and contain chemicals that kill fleas, ticks and other parasites.
Pest control collars
They slowly release substances such as deltamethrin or permethrin, repelling and killing parasites.
Shampoo
cleanses and protects the fur from infestations of various parasites.
It is important to choose a specific shampoo for each individual pet, as the active ingredients may be different and the dose may not be suitable.
Pest sprays
Sprayed on the dog's fur, they contain chemicals that kill fleas and lice.
The right time for pesticides
Pesticides are excellent allies not only in summer, but at any time of the year, since fleas are present in all seasons. Pesticides can also be applied as prevention, especially in mild winters, in which infestations cannot be ruled out.
The sandflies responsible for Leishmania and the mosquitoes that transmit Filaria must live at a constant temperature of at least 19 degrees all day and are therefore not active in the winter period.
How long do pesticides last?
Pesticides have a duration that varies from a few weeks to several months and this depends on the type of product, the type of product and the parasite you want to eliminate.
Topical pesticides, such as pipettes, last about a month. Shampoos have an effect that lasts only until the animal is next cleaned.
It is however important not to wash the dog or cat 24 to 48 hours after applying the product so as not to reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
Recommended products
Seresto
Offers protection from fleas and ticks for up to 8 months.
After application it is also active against flea larvae present in the surrounding environment and protects against the risk of transmission of leishmaniasis by sandflies (or sandflies).
Advantix
Specific spot-on pesticide for dogs from 7 weeks, which protects against fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, sandflies, lice and horseflies. Advantix contains two active ingredients that act as a pesticide with an insecticidal, acaricide and repellent action, before the parasites can bite.
Adtab
Pleasantly flavored tablet that acts selectively on the nerve cells of fleas and ticks, causing their rapid death. No interactions have been observed between lotilaner and the main veterinary medicines routinely used.
Advantage
Pesticide for cats useful for eliminating fleas within a day of treatment. It also prevents further infestation for 3-4 weeks and can be used as part of a treatment strategy to control flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).