Pixie Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 I have a 6 month old chihuahua and a 3 month old kitten who both have ear mites. I need a good home remedy that will get rid of the mites, stop the itch, help heal the scratch marks, prevent/heal infection and be safe for both the dog and the cat. Might need to make large quantities, we have other dogs, they may get the mites too. so far they dont, but it is a very real possibility. they are all older dogs, ranging from 3 to 10. We have been cleaning thier ears with cotton swabs, and giving them olive oil drops. I figure there must be something that I can ad to the olive oil that will help. Garlic? rosemary? Chrysanthemum? tea tree? I know a lot of you have dogs and cats, How have you dealt with mites? Link to comment
Motherhen Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 You're doing the right thing and really don't need to do anymore. I had learned and did this years prior with our rabbits who had ear mites so I knew but one time, at the vet's, one of my pups had earmites and he was out of earmite medication..HE told me to use olive oil (or any type of oil--mineral etc) I would squirt some oil down the ears, rub their ears and then clean out the ears with a cotton swab (q-tip). Now a vet would say don't do this bcz you may hurt their inner ear but I was careful. The oil drowns the mites. I liked to clean out the grunge that was in there. I then put it in a sealed sandwich bag and disposed of it. In the sandwich baggie, you'll even notice the mites that are still alive crawling around. You should do the oil treatment every other day for 2-3 weeks. Link to comment
Pixie Posted August 23, 2010 Author Share Posted August 23, 2010 You're doing the right thing and really don't need to do anymore. I had learned and did this years prior with our rabbits who had ear mites so I knew but one time, at the vet's, one of my pups had earmites and he was out of earmite medication..HE told me to use olive oil (or any type of oil--mineral etc) I would squirt some oil down the ears, rub their ears and then clean out the ears with a cotton swab (q-tip). Now a vet would say don't do this bcz you may hurt their inner ear but I was careful. The oil drowns the mites. I liked to clean out the grunge that was in there. I then put it in a sealed sandwich bag and disposed of it. In the sandwich baggie, you'll even notice the mites that are still alive crawling around. You should do the oil treatment every other day for 2-3 weeks. [/quote just every other day? we have been doing it every morning and every night. is that too much? Its only been 2 days. The cat seems the most bitter about having her ears messed with. lol if the dog doesnt stop scratching, we might have to get him a cone! Link to comment
Pixie Posted August 23, 2010 Author Share Posted August 23, 2010 Also, how about making a shampoo that will kill any mites in the fur? the internet informs me that the tails especially can be infested with mites because of how dogs curl up with thier tails by thier ears. or something i can add to the shampoo we have? Link to comment
GirlNextDoor Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 http://if-srvv-edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in197 Natural Products for Insect Pest Management1 Eileen A. Buss and Sydney G. Park-Brown2 Ideally, insecticides should reduce pest populations, be target-specific (kill the pest but not other organisms), break down quickly, and have low toxicity to humans and other mammals. Although, synthetic insecticides (e.g., chlorinated hydrocarbons, organophosphates, and pyrethroids) have been an important part of pest management for many years, the disadvantages and risks of using them have become apparent. As a result, many people are looking for less hazardous alternatives to conventional synthetic insecticides. Some alternatives include less-toxic or natural products, such as insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, microbials (see ENY-275 -http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN081 ), mineral and botanical insecticides ("botanicals"). Most of these groups will be discussed in this publication. In particular, botanicals are toxins that are derived or extracted from plants or plant parts. Many botanical insecticides have been known and used for hundreds of years, but were displaced from the marketplace by synthetic insecticides in the 1950s. These old products, and some newer, plant-derived products, deserve consideration for use in pest control. Botanical insecticides have different chemical structures and modes of action. However, some general traits of botanicals and other natural products include the following: Fast Breakdown. Botanicals degrade rapidly in sunlight, air, and moisture, and by detoxification enzymes. Rapid breakdown means less persistence and reduced risks to nontarget organisms. However, precise timing and/or more frequent applications may be necessary. Fast Action. Although death may not occur for hours or days, insects may be immediately paralyzed or stop feeding. Selectivity. Rapid break down and fast action make botanicals more selective to certain plant-feeding pests and less harmful to beneficial insects. Toxicity. Most botanicals have low to moderate mammalian toxicity, but there are exceptions (e.g., nicotine). See Table 1 for a summary of insecticide toxicity to animals. Even though botanicals are naturally derived and are relatively safe if used properly, they are nevertheless poisons and should be handled with the same caution as synthetic insecticides. All products must be used according to the label on the product container. They are most effective when used in an integrated pest management (IPM) program, which includes sanitation, cultural practices, mechanical controls, use of resistant plant varieties, and biological control. Synergism. Some botanicals quickly break down or are metabolized by enzymes inside bodies of their target pests. Breakdown may occur rapidly, so that the insecticide only temporarily stuns, but does not kill the insect. A synergist may be added to a compound to inhibit certain detoxification enzymes in insects. This enhances the insecticidal action of the product. Synergists are low in toxicity, have little or no inherent insecticidal properties, and have very short residual activity. Pyrethrins are often mixed with a synergist such as piperonyl butoxide (PBO), MGK 264, rotenone, or ryania to increase their effectiveness. PBO and MGK 264, however, should not be mixed with lime or soap solutions because of accelerated breakdown. PBO was implicated as a carcinogen in the past, and may not be used in some organic certification programs. Phytotoxicity. Most botanicals are not phytotoxic (toxic to plants). However, insecticidal soaps, sulfur, and nicotine sulfate may be toxic to certain sensitive vegetables or ornamentals. Cost and Availability. Botanicals tend to be more expensive than synthetics, and some are not produced in great supply or are no longer commercially available (e.g., nicotine). The potency of some botanicals may vary from one source or batch to the next. Research. Data on effectiveness and long-term (chronic) toxicity to mammals are unavailable for some botanicals. Tolerances for residues of some botanicals on food crops have not been established. State Registration. Several botanicals are registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are available by mail order, but are not registered for legal sale in certain states. Check the label before buying or applying these products. Organic Production. Lists of products that are acceptable in organic plant production can be found at the Organic Materials Review Institute (http://www.omri.org ) and the Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc. (http://www.foginfo.org ) websites. I. Botanical Insecticides Limonene and Linalool Citrus oils are extracted from oranges and other citrus fruit peels and refined to make the insecticidal compounds d-limonene and linalool. Both natural compounds are generally regarded as safe for mammals by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and are used extensively as flavorings and scents in foods, cosmetics, soaps, and perfumes. Limonene and linalool are contact poisons (nerve toxins) that may be synergized by piperonyl butoxide (PBO). They have low oral and dermal toxicities. Both compounds evaporate readily from treated surfaces and have no residual. They have been registered for use against fleas, aphids and mites, but also kill fire ants, several types of flies, paper wasps and house crickets. Commercial products (usually called “d-Limonene”) are available as liquids, aerosols, shampoos, and dips for pets. Topical application can irritate the skin and eyes of some animals, and although symptoms are usually temporary, use these products cautiously and sparingly. Neem Neem or neem oil is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree, Azadirachta indica, a native of India. The neem tree supplies at least two compounds with insecticidal activity (azadirachtin and salannin), and other unknown compounds with fungicidal activity. Azadirachtin acts as an insect feeding deterrent and growth regulator. The treated insect usually cannot molt to its next life stage and dies. It acts as a repellent when applied to a plant and does not produce a quick knockdown and kill. It has low mammalian toxicity and does not cause skin irritation in most formulations. Neem has some systemic activity in plants. Currently registered products for ornamental pest control claim activity against a variety of sucking and chewing insects. Neem is most effective against actively growing immature insects. Neem oil is used to control powdery mildew. Pyrethrum / Pyrethrins Pyrethrins are highly concentrated active compounds which are extracted from the daisy-like flower of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium, commercially grown in Kenya. When the flower is ground into a powder, the product is called a pyrethrum. Pyrethrum is the most widely used botanical insecticide in the United States. Synthetic insecticides that mimic the action of the pyrethrins are known as pyrethroids (e.g., bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, and permethrin). Most insects are highly susceptible to low concentrations of pyrethrins. The toxins cause immediate knockdown or paralysis on contact, but insects often metabolize them and recover. Pyrethrins break down quickly, have a short residual, and low mammalian toxicity, making them among the safest insecticides in use. However, people may have allergic skin reactions and cats are highly susceptible to poisoning (e.g., flea drops and powder). Pyrethrins may be used against a broad range of pests including ants, aphids, roaches, fleas, flies, and ticks. They are available in dusts, sprays, and aerosol “bombs,” and may be mixed with synthetic pesticides or other botanicals. Rotenone Rotenone is a broad-spectrum contact and stomach poison that is used against leaf-feeding insects, such as aphids, certain beetles (asparagus beetle, bean leaf beetle, Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetle, flea beetle, strawberry leaf beetle, and others) and caterpillars, as well as fleas and lice on animals. Rotenone is extracted from the roots of two tropical legumes, Lonchocarpus and Derris, and is is commonly formulated as a dust or wettable powder. Insects quickly stop feeding and death occurs several hours to a few days after exposure. Rotenone degrades rapidly when exposed to air and sunlight. It is not phytotoxic, but is extremely toxic to fish, and moderately toxic to mammals. Protective clothing and a mask should be worn to protect skin and the respiratory tract. It may be mixed with pyrethrins or piperonyl butoxide to improve its effectiveness. Ryania Ryania is extracted from the stems of a woody South American plant, Ryania speciosa. Although a slow-acting stomach poison, it causes insects to stop feeding soon after ingestion. It works well in hot weather. Ryania is moderate in acute or chronic oral toxicity in mammals. It is generally not harmful to most natural enemies, but may be toxic to certain predatory mites. Ryania has longer residual activity than most other botanicals. It has been used commercially in fruit and vegetable production against caterpillars (European corn borer, corn earworm, and others) and thrips. Ryania may be difficult to find in stores but may be available from online vendors alone or mixed with rotenone and pyrethrin. Sabadilla Sabadilla comes from the ripe seeds of the tropical lily Schoenocaulon officinale. Sabadilla is a broad-spectrum contact poison, but has some activity as a stomach poison. Baits, dusts or sprays may be used in organic fruit and vegetable production against squash bugs, harlequin bugs, thrips, caterpillars, leaf hoppers, and stink bugs. The alkaloids in Sabadilla affect insect nerve cells, causing loss of nerve function, paralysis, and insect death. The dust formulation of sabadilla is the least toxic to mammals of all registered botanical insecticides, but protective clothing and a mask should still be worn to protect skin and the respiratory tract. Sabadilla breaks down rapidly in sunlight and air, leaving no harmful residues. However, it is highly toxic to honeybees, and should only be used when bees are not present (e.g., in the evening, after bees return to their hives). II. Soaps and Oils Horticultural Oil Various oils can be used to manage some pest insects and mites. Horticultural oils used to be called either “dormant” or “summer” oils. Dormant oils originally referred to heavier weight, less well-refined oils that were unsafe to use on plants after they broke dormancy. However, these older oils have been replaced with more refined, light-weight oils that may be applied to plant foliage (summer or foliar oils). A dormant or summer oil now indicates the time of application rather than any particular type of oil. Dormant applications are ideal for treating the overwintering life stages of pests that are more difficult to control during the growing season. Oils may affect the target pests in several ways. Petroleum oils and vegetable oils may block the insects air or breathing holes (spiracles), so the insect dies by suffocation. Oils prevent gas exchange through egg membranes, so eggs are often targets of control with oils. The fatty acids in oils may disrupt cell membranes and interfere with normal metabolism. Other oils may also have antifeedant properties or may clog stylets (stylet oils), which may help prevent insects, like aphids and leafhoppers, from transmitting viruses to plants. In general, oils are most effective against small, immobile or slow-moving, soft-bodied insects (e.g., aphids, scales, leafhopper nymphs, whiteflies) and mites that are thoroughly coated by an oil spray. Because oils lack residual activity, they do not provide control of insects moving into a treated area. Insecticidal Soap Insecticidal soaps are made from plant oils (cottonseed, olive, palm, or coconut) or animal fat (lard, fish oil), but are generally not considered botanicals. They are made from the salts of fatty acids, which are in the fats and oils of animals and plants. The mode of action is still unclear, despite years of use. Soaps are thought to physically disrupt the insect cuticle (outer skin), but additional toxic action is suspected. Soaps act on contact and must be applied directly to the insect to be effective. No residues remain on plants. They are effective against soft-bodied insects like aphids, some scales, psyllids, whiteflies, mealybugs, thrips, and spider mites. Hard-bodied insects (e.g., adult beetles or wasps) are not harmed because of their tough, chitinous bodies. Some plants may be sensitive to soaps, resulting in leaf burn. Plants that have hairy leaves may be more susceptible to soap injury than smooth-leaved plants. Consult the label to see which plants are listed. Apply the soap spray on a small area of the plant to check for phytotoxicity. Commercial soaps are less likely to be phytotoxic. III. Mineral Insecticides Diatomaceous Earth Diatomaceous earth is a nontoxic insecticide mined from the fossilized silica shell remains of diatoms (single-celled or colonial algae). It absorbs the waxy layer on insect bodies, abrades the skin, and causes the insect to dry out. Diatomaceous earth is sold as a dust, and is sometimes combined with pyrethrin. It may control slugs, millipedes and sow bugs, as well as soft-bodied insects like aphids. It has low mammalian toxicity. Two kinds of diatomaceous earth are available, a "natural grade" and a filtering agent in swimming pools, but the "natrual grade" is the one used as an insecticide. Sulfur Sulfur is probably the oldest known pesticide in current use. It can be used as a dust, wettable powder, paste or liquid, primarily for disease control (e.g., powdery mildews, rusts, leaf blights, and fruit rots). However, mites, psyllids and thrips also are susceptible to sulfur. Most pesticidal sulfur is labeled for vegetables (e.g., beans, potatoes, tomatoes, and peas) and fruit crops (e.g., grapes, apples, pears, cherries, peaches, plums, and prunes). Sulfur is nontoxic to mammals, but may irritate skin or especially eyes. Sulfur has the potential to damage plants in hot (90°F and above), dry weather. It is also incompatible with other pesticides. Do not use sulfur within 20 to 30 days on plants where spray oils have been applied; it reacts with the oils to make a more phytotoxic combination. References Carr, A., M. Smith, L. Gilkeson, J. Smillie, B. Wolf, and F. Marshall Bradley. 1991. Rodales Chemical-Free Yard & Garden. Rodale Press, Inc. New York. 456 pp. Pedigo, L. P. 1999. Entomology & Pest Management. Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 742 pp. Ware, G. W. and D. M. Whitacre. 2000. The Pesticide Book, 6th edition. MeisterPro Information Resources, Willoughby, OH. Tables Table 1. Summary of insecticide (botanical, mineral, synthetic) toxicity to mammals Chemical Name (Trade Name) Class Oral LD501 Dermal LD502 Mode of Action Signal Word Azadirachtin (Azatin® XL) Botanical 4,242 >2,000 Undetermined Caution Bifenthrin (Talstar®) Pyrethroid 632 >2,000 Contact & stomach activity Caution Carbaryl (Sevin®) Carbamate 590 >2,000 Contact & stomach activity Warning/ Caution Cyfluthrin (Tempo®) Pyrethroid 960 - 1,150 >2,000 Contact & stomach activity Caution d-Limonene (VIP®) Botanical >5,000 - Contact poison Caution Diatomaceous Earth Mineral - 3,160 - 8,000 Cuticle disruption Caution Horticultural Oil (Supreme Oil®) Oil >5,000 - Suffocation Caution Imidacloprid (Merit® 75WP) Neonicotinyl 1,858 - 2,591 >2,000 Contact & stomach activity Caution Insecticidal Soap (Safer®) Soap 16,500 - Cuticle disruption Caution Linalool Botanical 2,440 - 3,180 3,578 - 8,374 Contact poison Caution Malathion (Malathion® 5) Organophosphate 885 - 2,800 4,100 Contact & stomach activity Caution Neem Botanical 13,000 - Insect growth regulator, repellent N/A Nicotine Sulfate Botanical 60 140 Contact poison Danger Permethrin (Astro®) Pyrethroid 998 >2,000 Contact & stomach activity Caution Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) Synergist >7,500 7,500 -- Caution Pyrethrins Botanical 1,200 - 1,500 >1,800 Contact activity Caution Rotenone Botanical 60 >1,000 Inhibits cellular respiration Caution Ryania Botanical 750 - 1,200 4,000 Stomach poison Caution Sabadilla (Red Devil®) Botanical 4,000 - Contact & stomach activity Caution Sulfur (Tracite Liquid Sulfur 6) Mineral >5,000 >2,000 Contact poison Caution 1 An LD50 is the median lethal dose, in milligrams (mg) of toxicant per kilogram (kg) of body weight of the test animal, that kills 50% of the population of test animals. A low LD50 indicates a more toxic substance. The larger the LD50, the less toxic the substance. 2 Most of the oral and dermal LD50 values were obtained from product MSDS sheets (CDMS website: http://www.cdms.net/LabelsMsds/LMDefault.aspx?t=2) Footnotes 1. This document is ENY-350 (IN197), one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: January 2002. Revised: June 2009. Please visit the EDIS Website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. Eileen A. Buss, assistant professor, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611 and Sydney G. Park-Brown, extension associate professor, Gulf Coast REC, Plant City, FL 33563. The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. All chemicals should be used in accordance with directions on the manufacturer's label. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean. Link to comment
GirlNextDoor Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 I really like a topical spray called De Flea pet and area spray. http://naturalchemistry.com/pet-products/products/list Link to comment
Pixie Posted August 26, 2010 Author Share Posted August 26, 2010 Thanks for the Info!! :D Link to comment
urbanforager Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 [quote name='Pixie' date='Aug 23 2010, 05:27 PM' post='340150' We have been cleaning thier ears with cotton swabs, and giving them olive oil drops. I figure there must be something that I can ad to the olive oil that will help. Garlic? rosemary? Chrysanthemum? tea tree? The only advice I have to add is to try mullein flower oil. It's supposed to be good for earaches in humans, so I'd bet it couldn't hurt in a dog or cat. Mullein flowers are past their prime now (they bloom in July where I live), but you should be able to get some at a health food store, if you can't make it yourself. Good luck with your furbabies! Link to comment
GirlNextDoor Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 My customer with a Cocker Spaniel has ear mites they could not get rid of. She gets a 3% Chlorhexidene shampoo and ivermectin injections. Here is a good name shampoo & you can get ivermectin injections at the feed store. I do not have a clue as to dosage. Link to comment
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