Flower from which pyrethrin, a botanical insecticide that kills adult insects and ticks, is derived.

A small tick (about the size of a pinhead). It is this tick that can transmit the Lyme disease-causing organism (Borellia burgdorferi).

Environmental Protection Agency is the government agency that regulates chemical pesticide products such as insecticides and pesticides. The EPA is responsible for ensuring that each product is safe when used according to the label for both the consumer and the environment. Before an insecticide may be sold in commerce (through any channel, like a vet or pet store), it must be registered by the EPA.

A pyrethroid derivative that is used as an insecticide.

“Flea Allergy Dermatitis” or “Flea Bite Hypersensitivity” is the most common dermatological disease of domestic dogs in the USA. When fleas feed, they inject saliva that contains enzymes and histamine-like substances, which cause irritation and pruritis (itching). Repeated exposure to these substances can cause an animal to become hypersensitive.

A blood-sucking wingless insect, which feeds on animals. Fleas have hard bodies flattened from side to side and powerful legs adapted for fast movement and jumping.

Organic matter on which flea larvae feed. Flea dirt consists of partially digested blood (flea droppings), which is left behind by the blood sucking adult flea. It can sometimes be seen in the fur of light colored pets, but usually drops off onto the ground, where the flea eggs and larvae are.

A class of materials that control insects by disrupting normal insect growth and development.

The life stage of a flea or tick that hatches from the egg. Flea larvae are small yellowish maggot-like looking creatures, while tick larvae or “seed ticks” are tiny six-legged ticks.

A natural substance found in oils of Ceylon cinnamon, sassafras, orange flower, bergamot, Artemisia balchanorum, ylang ylang. Linalool has insecticidal activity and is used in shampoos, dips and sprays for flea control.

A disease caused by a bacterium (Borellia burgdorferi) and transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick. Early symptoms can include, but are not necessarily restricted to, a slowly expanding red rash and flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, slight fever and swollen lymph nodes. Advanced symptoms include arthritis, irregular heartbeat, severe headaches and loss of sensation.

The chemical name for Precor®, an insect growth regulator

The most prominent bloodsucking insects that annoy humans and other warm-blooded animals. Not only are their bites (and subsequent itching welts) annoying, but mosquitoes can transmit several serious diseases including malaria, dengue fever, filariasis, encephalitis viruses and heartworm.

The immature form of some invertebrates, particularly insects, which undergoes gradual metamorphosis (hemimetabolism) before reaching its adult stage. Unlike a typical larva, a nymph’s overall form already resembles that of the adult.

OP is a class of insecticides that kills fleas and ticks by interfering with the normal activity of the insects’ nervous system.

An insect developmental stage (frequently spent in a cocoon) in which the larva metamorphoses (transforms) into the adult insect. For example, in butterflies the larva (caterpillar) spins a cocoon and becomes a pupa, which then changes into the adult insect (butterfly).

An active ingredient in a product that has the ability to repel fleas and ticks, thus preventing them from infesting a dog or cat.

The chemical name for Precor® insect growth regulator.

A surfactant (“soap”) commonly used in many food and household products (toothpaste, shampoo, dish soap). SLS also has insecticidal activity. By removing the naturally occurring hydrocarbons (oils) from an insects’ exoskeleton (“skin”), it causes them to dehydrate (dry out) and die.

A blood-sucking arthropod related to spiders. The type of tick that bothers dogs and cats are “three-host ticks,” feeding on different animals during their life cycle. When they bite a pet, ticks engorge themselves with blood. When full, they can live for months without food.