I'm curious about the safety of using dog or cat hair in the garden or compost if it has been treated with topical flea treatments, like those applied monthly between the shoulders. How long should I wait after treatment before using the hair, if at all?
2 Answers
It's really not a good idea to use flea-treated pet hair in your garden. The insecticides from those treatments can end up harming local wildlife. For instance, birds can use the hair in their nests, and it can poison their young. Honestly, it's safer to throw that hair away rather than risk contaminating your garden.
Even a few days after treatment, the hair may still carry pesticide residue. This can harm earthworms and beneficial microbes in your compost. The insecticides break down slowly in the environment, and you don't want to risk affecting the soil health. It's better to stay clear of using it.
What about waiting 30 days until right before a new treatment? Does the residue weaken enough to be harmless?