[pico's parent]

In today's WSJ there was an article about cancer treatment for dogs being used to test human cancer treatments. These are dogs whose cancer is such that it is inoperable or untreatable by existing methods. The dog in the article had a tumor that they were able to shrink enough to perform the surgery to remove and he is fine now except for a runny nose!

But what I found most interesting in the article is that Purdue University's Veterinary School has found (no surprise, really) a link between cancer in animals and lawn chemicals.

So, while I am no expert on organic gardening I will continue to share what I know and do in that regard. In fact, I just found a product called Neem Spray for flea prevention that you can spray weekly on dogs and cats. It washes off when you bathe them so it must be reapplied. I don't know much about it yet but I know my organic gardening guru here in San Antonio talks about Neem Oil spray for tree and leaf pests.

I just wonder how oily it really is and what it makes the coat look like.......if they will refund my money if I'm not satisfied I may try it when Pico's Advantage runs out.

 

[pico's parent]

Pico's breeder uses only Frontline spray on Pico's mom and siblings (she kept the other two of her bitch's only litter) I have started researching Neem spray as an alternative to Advantage. As it is I only use the Advantage when I actually see a flea and that is maybe every 2-3 months since I put the Nematodes out and it has been so hot and dry here, too.

I like the idea of the Frontline spray since I don't know if the Neem spray is going to be oily or what.

There was no other info on the cancer/pesticide study so I do hope we get a response from Terry.

We use no chemicals on our lawn. My husband uses a mulching mower and I use Medina Soil Activator & Beneficial Nematodes and that's it except for an acidifier on the ground under the Magnolia, since we have very alkaline soil. We do have some weeds but I can live with them because the lawn really looks nice, we have fireflies and ladybugs and a 10th generation of a Cardinal family, Bluejay family and assorted doves and sparrows hanging out. Plus and most importantly, I dont have to worry about Pico, who is closer to the ground than we are as well as in thehouse where we track the outside in.

I am picking up a Composter tomorrow.....the city is selling $80 composters for $20 and I am so excited! I've been composting piles of leaves for several years very haphazardly. Just wetting them and letting them decompose so having a real composter for kitchen wastes is a real step up.

I sure hope your concern is shared by others on SM and we can get unneccessary chemicals out of our living areas. Once you begin it is amazing how, over time, you can eliminate so many environmental hazards from your life by making little accommodations here and there. Do you REALLY need spray cans? Or will a pump sprayer do just fine? Start using rechargable batteries and you will take a ton of battery metals and chemicals out of the landfills. I don't mean to get on a soapbox here but so many "convenience" items are designed just to get $$$ out of your pocket and in the long run cost even more in other ways.

OK. I'll step down now. Thanks for responding, Lady's Mom & K&C's Mom

 

[pico's parent]

I hear a lot of good things about those steam cleaners but don't really know anyone who actually has or uses one!

Check Consumer's Union Reports is my suggestion, before you buy. I have a shark vacuum and it is a powerful little demon! Inconvenient to empty and clean so I only use it for upholstery and my car. That's why I'd check out other brands before I'd buy the Shark.

 

[pico's parent]

Originally posted by tiffany@Jul 8 2005, 12:03 PM
Can I ask where to buy the beneficial nematodes. Does it come from a yard and garden place or is it something I have to order?
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You can order on line but most garden shops carry them. You'll find them refrigerated, usually in a small glass fronted box type fridge. You can buy ladybugs, too.

Two cautions: Beneficial nematodes can drown so use the solution within hours of releasing them into the water.

Water the nematodes in to the ground but don't overwater....you just want to wash them off the greenery so they get into the soil.

 

[pico's parent]

Originally posted by Kodie@Jul 8 2005, 12:48 PM
Maybe its true about chemicals cause cancer in dogs... our beagle got a tumor in his nose and my mom always used chemicals on our kitchen floor to clean it... (thats the one place he always was) so i guess it isnt surprising if thats how he got it?...

 
Pico's mom... the article talked about a tumor in the nose?
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Yes. I am sorry now I didn't keep the article in order to give you more information but you might be able to pull it up on the WSJ web site or check your local library for back copies and look for the July 7 edition.

 

[pico's parent]

Well, I'm not convinced about the flea remedy. Used to be we used flea collars in conjunction with flea powders and sprays on bedding, carpet, etc. or bombarded the house with insecticide "bombs". Then we sprayed outdoors with flea killing chemicals. So how are the new once a month products, which are more effective in my experience, more dangerous than the former products? I just don't know the answer but I have to question the difference.

I still prefer any natural remedy that works over man-made chemical pesticides.

 

[pico's parent]

Smashed shells? Seashells? Oyster shells? What? I don't have a slug problem but my friend does because she has a gardener who waters regularly while my plants have to call me on my cell phone!

She would love a natural remedy like that. Now I do have earwigs so tell me about the "power soil".....is it a top dressing or do you use it as potting soil?

I love hearing about natural remedies that really work!