Keeping Pests Off Pets Starts In The Lawn

By SHAWN MESSONNIER

Dear Dr. Shawn: 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?

Answer: 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.

Dear Readers: I will be doing my new radio show live 3 to 5 p.m. May 15 at Stonebriar Centre, with a book signing at Barnes & Noble afterward. My guest will be Mike Fantetti, who makes a unique line of pet supplements. Listen in or stop by to hear his approach to keeping pets healthy.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier is the author of 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog and The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. Send questions to him at Paws & Claws Animal Hospital, 2145 W. Park Blvd., Plano, TX, 75075, e-mail him at naturalvet@juno.com, or visit him online at www.pettogethers.com. His radio program, The Dr. Shawn Show, airs at 7 p.m. Sundays on KLIF-AM (570).