I recently stumbled upon an older article dated circa 2002. It was quite alarming to learn how the EPA deals with certain situations.
After several thousand complaints, the EPA struck a deal with Hartz Mountain Co. regarding two of their feline products- Hartz Advanced Care Brand Flea and Tick Drops Plus and Tick Drops Plus for Cats and Kittens. It was discovered that the primary active ingredient, phenothrin, was causing acute adverse symptoms in cats and kittens. The product entered the animals via fur licking. Children petting these animals then putting their fingers in their mouths we're also contaminated. Some of the lovely symptoms reported were sneezing, headaches, nausea, tremors, convulsions, facial swelling, and hyper-excitability. Some cats suffered through severe dermatitis and death.
While all of this is horrible, the real travesty in my opinion, was that with all this in mind, the EPA simply required Hartz to stop further shipments. They allowed the products to remain on store shelves, exposing hundreds or more cats and children to this danger! Whats more, Hartz was allowed to sell the exact same products, they just had to repackage it with some additional warnings printed on the box.
I truly believe the EPA does a wonderful service for us and I don't enjoy bashing them. However, this is an example of how it is really our responsibility to research to the best of our ability the safety of the products we use. At Equine Green, we take that responsibility upon ourselves to deliver products that not only perform like no other, but are safe as well. GREEN FOR ALL !!!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
MOSQUITOES
" If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with an active mosquito"
I think we can all relate to that!
A mosquitoes life consists of 4 stages: egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. An adult can expect to spend 4-8 weeks on this Earth, that is the female, males only live about 1 week. Male mosquitoes subsist on nectar and plant juices. Females can survive on this diet as well but must have blood meals to facilitate egg production. The insects usually mate within a few days after reaching adulthood. Males will swarm together in the evenings, usually around dusk, and the females will fly into the swarms to mate. After the female has mated and has sufficient blood intake, she will rest for a few days, lay her eggs, then begin the process again. This is repeated until her death.
There are some questions I have always had about mosquitoes, you have probably wondered too!
1) Why do they seem to like biting me more than others?
2) Where do they go during the day?
3) How do they survive the cold months?
4) Why does their bite itch so much?
Ok, mosquitoes have an incredible sense of smell. They have 72 odor sensing receptors on their antennae, 27 of them are dialed in to detect chemicals found in human sweat. Some folk's sweat just smells better to them than others, but it is the proportions of carbon dioxide, octenol, and other compounds than make up body odor.
During the heat and sun of the day, mosquitoes hang out in tunnels they burrow right below the roots of grass. This is where they hibernate through the frigid months as well. Keeping our lawns maintained goes a long way in keeping populations down. It amazes me how mosquitoes always seem ready to chew on you the first warm evenings of the year!
They have a stinger-like structure that allows them to penetrate skin and draw blood from their victims. Mosquitoes have saliva that contain antigens that stimulates an immediate immune response in humans- thats what causes the itching and swelling.
It is estimated that mosquitoes transmit disease to over 700 million people annually worldwide, resulting in 2 million deaths. There are no accurate numbers available for the impact on animals. Due to the mosquitoes feeding techniques on their victims, they are the perfect disease-spreading insect.
Mosquitoes are difficult to control due to their rapid and frequent breeding patterns. Removing possible breeding areas (stagnate water) and keeping your yard and barn areas maintained is the first line of defense. In the past, insecticides like DDT (now banned) were used successfully but were toxic and harmful chemicals. DEET is a popular repellant but lately has been scrutined over its safety as it has been linked to serious disorders in children and adults. Luckily, there are now safe and natural products available to help keep the skeeters in check. As with any product you purchase, I encourage you to consider the safety of your loved ones and the environment when making your final decision. GREEN FOR ALL !!
I think we can all relate to that!
A mosquitoes life consists of 4 stages: egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. An adult can expect to spend 4-8 weeks on this Earth, that is the female, males only live about 1 week. Male mosquitoes subsist on nectar and plant juices. Females can survive on this diet as well but must have blood meals to facilitate egg production. The insects usually mate within a few days after reaching adulthood. Males will swarm together in the evenings, usually around dusk, and the females will fly into the swarms to mate. After the female has mated and has sufficient blood intake, she will rest for a few days, lay her eggs, then begin the process again. This is repeated until her death.
There are some questions I have always had about mosquitoes, you have probably wondered too!
1) Why do they seem to like biting me more than others?
2) Where do they go during the day?
3) How do they survive the cold months?
4) Why does their bite itch so much?
Ok, mosquitoes have an incredible sense of smell. They have 72 odor sensing receptors on their antennae, 27 of them are dialed in to detect chemicals found in human sweat. Some folk's sweat just smells better to them than others, but it is the proportions of carbon dioxide, octenol, and other compounds than make up body odor.
During the heat and sun of the day, mosquitoes hang out in tunnels they burrow right below the roots of grass. This is where they hibernate through the frigid months as well. Keeping our lawns maintained goes a long way in keeping populations down. It amazes me how mosquitoes always seem ready to chew on you the first warm evenings of the year!
They have a stinger-like structure that allows them to penetrate skin and draw blood from their victims. Mosquitoes have saliva that contain antigens that stimulates an immediate immune response in humans- thats what causes the itching and swelling.
It is estimated that mosquitoes transmit disease to over 700 million people annually worldwide, resulting in 2 million deaths. There are no accurate numbers available for the impact on animals. Due to the mosquitoes feeding techniques on their victims, they are the perfect disease-spreading insect.
Mosquitoes are difficult to control due to their rapid and frequent breeding patterns. Removing possible breeding areas (stagnate water) and keeping your yard and barn areas maintained is the first line of defense. In the past, insecticides like DDT (now banned) were used successfully but were toxic and harmful chemicals. DEET is a popular repellant but lately has been scrutined over its safety as it has been linked to serious disorders in children and adults. Luckily, there are now safe and natural products available to help keep the skeeters in check. As with any product you purchase, I encourage you to consider the safety of your loved ones and the environment when making your final decision. GREEN FOR ALL !!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
AUTISM AND PET CARE
Autism is a complex developmental disorder that effects social and communication interaction in children and adults. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. It is believed that autistic persons have certain brain irregularities and abnormal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Some studies suggest these imbalances occur in fetal development. It is becoming widely recognized that autism is caused by both genetics and environment.
The disorder is on the rise. It is becoming much more prevelant. A recent study that examined participants in the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) found that insecticide based pet shampoos could be linked to autism. The basis for this theory is due to the presence of pyrethrins in the products. The same ingredient found in most equine and livestock insect repellants. Pyrethrins aggravate the central nervous system of insects, rodents, and other organisms. It only makes sense that this stuff has the potential to cause serious harm.
I find it difficult to accept that pet care products on the market today could lower the quality of life for any person. Why even risk it? If you knew the risk was there, would you expose your children to this danger? Of course not. You wouldn't subject your animals to this junk either if you knew the truth. Thats why Equine Green is here- to do the best possible job we can to educate each and every one of you to protect you, your loved ones, and the Earth! GREEN FOR ALL!!
The disorder is on the rise. It is becoming much more prevelant. A recent study that examined participants in the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) found that insecticide based pet shampoos could be linked to autism. The basis for this theory is due to the presence of pyrethrins in the products. The same ingredient found in most equine and livestock insect repellants. Pyrethrins aggravate the central nervous system of insects, rodents, and other organisms. It only makes sense that this stuff has the potential to cause serious harm.
I find it difficult to accept that pet care products on the market today could lower the quality of life for any person. Why even risk it? If you knew the risk was there, would you expose your children to this danger? Of course not. You wouldn't subject your animals to this junk either if you knew the truth. Thats why Equine Green is here- to do the best possible job we can to educate each and every one of you to protect you, your loved ones, and the Earth! GREEN FOR ALL!!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Some Thoughts on Pesticides
In researching pesticide manufacturing, I stumble upon some really interesting information that I was not aware of. In fact, I could write all day long on the topic. It is really disturbing to find that we are not being protected as much as we would like to think.
Just because a pesticide is registered does not mean it is safe! Government agencies do not perform testing on chemical pesticides. It is the responsiblity of the chemical manufacturer to do their own testing, then report their findings. Let's be real here. When millions of dollars are possibly at stake, what is the possibility of corruption and dishonesty? I do not believe chemical manufacturers want to hurt us or the environment. I do believe they want to make a lot of money. You don't have to be a rocket-scientist to figure this one out.
When pesticide testing is done, it is not done in combination with other chemicals. In other words, it's not a real world study. The synergistic effect can yield up to 1000 times the strength of these products than if they were used in isolation. That's really scarry! Ya want some of that potion to get on Rover ?
Acceptable tolerance levels are based on a healthy adult male. This make children extremely vulnerable. Kids typically do not practice good sense that adults do when playing outside. They fall down, play with toys that have been laying outside, put those toys in their mouths, and so on. To make matters worse, children's metabolism have not mature enough to excrete toxins as efficient as adults do. Household pesticides have been linked to cancer and leukemia.
We all need to be aware of the potential dangers of any chemical we may use in our daily life. If there are safer options available, why not go that route? It's a win-win. Everyone can appreciate that. GREEN FOR ALL !!
Just because a pesticide is registered does not mean it is safe! Government agencies do not perform testing on chemical pesticides. It is the responsiblity of the chemical manufacturer to do their own testing, then report their findings. Let's be real here. When millions of dollars are possibly at stake, what is the possibility of corruption and dishonesty? I do not believe chemical manufacturers want to hurt us or the environment. I do believe they want to make a lot of money. You don't have to be a rocket-scientist to figure this one out.
When pesticide testing is done, it is not done in combination with other chemicals. In other words, it's not a real world study. The synergistic effect can yield up to 1000 times the strength of these products than if they were used in isolation. That's really scarry! Ya want some of that potion to get on Rover ?
Acceptable tolerance levels are based on a healthy adult male. This make children extremely vulnerable. Kids typically do not practice good sense that adults do when playing outside. They fall down, play with toys that have been laying outside, put those toys in their mouths, and so on. To make matters worse, children's metabolism have not mature enough to excrete toxins as efficient as adults do. Household pesticides have been linked to cancer and leukemia.
We all need to be aware of the potential dangers of any chemical we may use in our daily life. If there are safer options available, why not go that route? It's a win-win. Everyone can appreciate that. GREEN FOR ALL !!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Earth Day
Earth Day is a day set aside each year to promote awareness and appreciation for our environment. It was founded on April 22, 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. He concieved the idea after a trip he took to examine an oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara. Mr. Nelson was outraged at the devastation the spill had on the environment. It seemed as if the politicians of the day were not interested in preventing future disasters, they were more interested in big oil campaign contributions. Nelson's idea was to educated the public on the importance of protecting our ecosystem through organized national teach-ins. Every university in the U.S. was to participate. Denis Hayes was the national coordinator, and in 1970, was successful in leading 20 million Americans to celebrate the first Earth Day.
Over the years Earth Day has gained a tremendous amount of support and popularity. Celebrities and dignitaries alike donate time and money for the cause. Today, more than 500 million people in 175 countries observe the day. Many cities have now began expanding the observation, making it a week long event- Earth Week.
Thanks to Mr. Nelson's vision, the world's environmental awareness has been heightened. Thousands of colleges and universities have organized protests against oil spills, power plants, loss of wilderness, the extinction of wildlife, pesticides, and toxic dumps. All of which are direct results of Earth Day.
As a good steward to Mother Nature, we must share best-practice ideas everyday to keep Gaylord Nelson's dream alive.
Over the years Earth Day has gained a tremendous amount of support and popularity. Celebrities and dignitaries alike donate time and money for the cause. Today, more than 500 million people in 175 countries observe the day. Many cities have now began expanding the observation, making it a week long event- Earth Week.
Thanks to Mr. Nelson's vision, the world's environmental awareness has been heightened. Thousands of colleges and universities have organized protests against oil spills, power plants, loss of wilderness, the extinction of wildlife, pesticides, and toxic dumps. All of which are direct results of Earth Day.
As a good steward to Mother Nature, we must share best-practice ideas everyday to keep Gaylord Nelson's dream alive.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
***BOTFLY***
The botfly is a nightmare for the horse and his owner. It is a hairy- bodied fly whose larvae lives as a parasite in mammals. There is a certain botfly species that actually uses humans as their host.
Bots infest the host by depositing eggs onto the skin and hair of the animal. Body heat stimulates the eggs to mature to larvae. The larvae then burrows under the skin of the horse, cow, or dog. The female botfly is so determined to perpetuate her kind, she will capture a common housefly, hold it down, and lay up to 30 eggs under it's wings in hopes the fly will drop the eggs on a delicious host. Botflies do not kill their host.
Botfly eggs looks like yellow paint drops on a horse. Once attached, the eggs must be removed with a razor blade or rough sandpaper. Egg removal is essential to prevent infestation. If the eggs are present and the horse rubs his nose on his legs, the eggs are transferred to the mouth. From there, the eggs travel to the intestines, attach, and grow into larvae. Not a pretty visual ! Erosions and ulcerations are the result of this process. In cattle, if left untreated, these lesions will become infected and ultimately take the animals life.
It is easy to see that these guys are not your horse's best friend. Keeping them off your animal is really the best prevention of infestation. Some basic prevention measures will go a long way in keeping your beloved horse comfortable. Protect him with a safe, high quality fly repellant. That way both of you will always be able to GET OUT AND RIDE !!
Bots infest the host by depositing eggs onto the skin and hair of the animal. Body heat stimulates the eggs to mature to larvae. The larvae then burrows under the skin of the horse, cow, or dog. The female botfly is so determined to perpetuate her kind, she will capture a common housefly, hold it down, and lay up to 30 eggs under it's wings in hopes the fly will drop the eggs on a delicious host. Botflies do not kill their host.
Botfly eggs looks like yellow paint drops on a horse. Once attached, the eggs must be removed with a razor blade or rough sandpaper. Egg removal is essential to prevent infestation. If the eggs are present and the horse rubs his nose on his legs, the eggs are transferred to the mouth. From there, the eggs travel to the intestines, attach, and grow into larvae. Not a pretty visual ! Erosions and ulcerations are the result of this process. In cattle, if left untreated, these lesions will become infected and ultimately take the animals life.
It is easy to see that these guys are not your horse's best friend. Keeping them off your animal is really the best prevention of infestation. Some basic prevention measures will go a long way in keeping your beloved horse comfortable. Protect him with a safe, high quality fly repellant. That way both of you will always be able to GET OUT AND RIDE !!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
STABLE FLY
One of livestock's greatest aggravation is the stable fly. These insects prey upon confined animals throughout the world. In appearance, they look similar to a house fly except their mouthparts are adapted for biting and sucking blood. The stable fly feeds by using it's beak to break the skin, then sucking the blood of it's victim. Surprisingly to most, females usually only live up to a month. She will require several feedings to continue egg production.
The maggot (immature fly) likes to breed in decaying organic matter. Adult flies have been known to travel several miles to feed. With that in mind, it becomes difficult to control fly population simply by removing their local breeding areas. Repellants and insecticides are really the only way to handle the problem.
The amount of stress flies put on our animals is significant- please do not underestimate that. Just imagine the nuisance that they are to us- horses only have their tails to shoo them away. Let's help our equine buddies out this season by making sure they are comfortable with a high quality repellant. Now get out there and ride!!
The maggot (immature fly) likes to breed in decaying organic matter. Adult flies have been known to travel several miles to feed. With that in mind, it becomes difficult to control fly population simply by removing their local breeding areas. Repellants and insecticides are really the only way to handle the problem.
The amount of stress flies put on our animals is significant- please do not underestimate that. Just imagine the nuisance that they are to us- horses only have their tails to shoo them away. Let's help our equine buddies out this season by making sure they are comfortable with a high quality repellant. Now get out there and ride!!
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