We have previously discussed the differences and similarities between chemical pesticides and natural repellents , seeing how the latter are excellent substitutes in protecting your pets from fleas, lice, ticks and mosquitoes .
Today we want to broaden this discussion by expanding it to another sensitive topic: the environmental impact that these products have and could have.
The green lifestyle is increasingly present in our daily routine and obviously this cannot fail to include our pet(s). Products reserved for them that have a low environmental impact, are becoming increasingly common , made with biodegradable materials and with active plant ingredients.
Neem oil-based products in particular are considered the best natural repellents available on the market today .
But even though the supply on the market has increased, can the same be said for demand?
As with all ecological transition processes, there is much skepticism about new products and their actual necessity and effectiveness . In today's article we are going to dispel these doubts.
Antiparasitics and Hair
Let's start from a research conducted in November 2018 by the French Institute IRES and the European Parliament which demonstrated how pesticides and chemical principles of antiparasitics for dogs and cats are also polluting the hair of Europeans ( source Ansa.it ).
In Italy, residues were found on over 66% of the samples examined.
Among the products present, fipronil stands out above all , a broad-spectrum insecticide whose use in agriculture has been banned since 2017, but which can still be legally used as a pesticide for pets .
This is because the quantity of active ingredient present in antiparasitics for dogs and cats is low, even if not inert , and flea and tick infestations can be potentially more dangerous than allergic reactions and poisoning.
It is the intake in large doses that makes fipronil toxic and dangerous.
It should be emphasized that fipronil-based products, if used correctly , according to the manufacturer's instructions and the veterinarian's prescription, do not represent a direct risk for animals or humans .
The problem highlighted by the study is not the presence of this substance in itself, but its high quantity in the air, to the point of sticking to people's heads.
Nowadays, is it really necessary to use these pesticides when there are better solutions on the market?
Neem Oil: The Best Natural Repellent
Neem oil is obtained from the seeds of a plant widespread in all tropical areas: Azadirachta Indica of the Meliaceae family (also known as the Neem Tree).
In Indian culture, this plant is also known as “the tree capable of curing all diseases” or “the village pharmacy” due to the large presence of active ingredients in the leaves, bark, flowers, roots and, of course, seeds.
The main active ingredient involved is azadirachtin which has strong insect repellent properties . Consider that in Indian countries the same Neem leaves are used as they are to spontaneously repel parasites and insects .
One of the most interesting characteristics of Neem oil , however, is not so much its repellent properties, but rather the fact that the active ingredients present prevent parasites from developing a resistance to its use over time (which instead happens with chemical active ingredients).
This makes Neem oil the most powerful and effective natural repellent found in nature .
In conclusion to this article we would like to underline once again that it is not our intention to demonize chemical pesticides which, if used correctly and in situations that require it, are a more than valid and safe solution .
It simply seems to us that the use of certain products is often done too lightly , without knowing that there are valid alternative solutions on the market that are more respectful of the environment and of our health and that of our pets .
Discover the Neem oil-based products from the Niki Natural Defence line by Croci and take advantage of the 20% discount now.
Developed by our designers, these Croci branded products are designed to ensure your pet receives maximum protection from parasites without the risk .
