Your pet's flea and tick pill could be poisoning other important insect species
A new study suggests that routine flea and tick treatments could expose native insects to high levels of toxins.
Insects are in decline, and that’s a big problem for all of us, given all of the unseen work they do to keep the planet running, whether it be through soil irrigation, pollination, providing pest control, and acting as food sources for other animals, among other things.
One of the primary reasons insect species are struggling is due to human activity, which includes development, environmental degradation, and some of the small things we do each day, which, at first glance, may seem inconsequential.
Here’s an example: According to a new study, the oral flea and tick treatments we give our cats and dogs could be causing irreparable harm to some insect species.
The culprit appears to be isoxazoline drugs, defined by the study’s authors as a “relatively new class of antiparasitic medications” that is prescribed by veterinarians worldwide.
“Introduced in 2013, they quickly gained popularity because they were the first oral treatments capable of controlling both pests for a month or longer,” reads a statement by the authors.
“After pets take these medications, the active compounds pass through their bodies and are excreted in feces.”
That’s where the environmental damage takes place: The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued warnings about potentially damaging effects of the drugs, and is working to develop guidelines and environmental assessments.
The EMA says that traces of the treatment have been detected in the environment, raising concerns.
“Isoxazolines are designed to kill fleas and ticks, but when treated animals eliminate the drugs, other insects may also be exposed,” the authors say.
“Research suggests pets can introduce these chemicals into the environment through feces, urine, and even shed hair. Of particular concern are dung-feeding insects such as flies, dung beetles, and some butterflies. These species play a vital role in breaking down waste, recycling nutrients, improving soil quality, and helping control pests. If they consume feces containing the drug residues, they may be harmed.”
Drug present months after a round of treatment
For their study, researchers examined 20 dogs and 20 cats owned by veterinary students. All the animals received isoxazoline drugs over a three-month period.
Scientists analyzed fecal samples to determine how much exposure insects in the natural world could be exposed to.
The findings are worrisome: Months after treatment ended, two of the four active ingredients were detected in samples taken from the pets. The experiment suggests that routine flea and tick treatments could expose dung-feeding insects to high levels of the drug.
The importance of insects
Estimates on the global economic impact of insects vary, but it has been placed at between $235 and $577 billion annually.
Current estimates suggest that 40 per cent of known insect species are in decline, and a third are endangered - a statistic that becomes even more alarming considering that over 80 per cent of insect species remain undescribed, indicating a high likelihood there are entire populations at risk that we don't even know about.
Insects are a crucial member of the world's ecosystems, providing numerous economic benefits. Some species act as pollinators of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, while others serve as natural pest control, preying on other insects that damage crops and reducing the need for chemical pesticides. They also serve as an important food source for birds, fish, and reptiles.
Header image: File photo via Canva Pro.
