Is my yard's flea spray safe for ducks? Natural ways to treat duck mites?

It is not recommended to use the diatomaceous earth directly on pets because it can cause small abrasions to the skin and is a risk to be inhaled into the lungs (which can cause damage to the lungs). Diatomaceous earth can be applied to the yard and application varies based upon rain levels and soil moisture. There are much more effect ways to deal with fleas. A monthly topical or oral tablet are the best methods to control fleas and in general, the property does not need to be treated unless there is a heavy flea burden. Talk with your veterinarian about a product like Simparica, Nexgard or Revolution. The following article has some information about diatomaceous earth: https://www.petcoach.co/article/at-home-flea-and-tick-treatments-that-dont-work/ Here is an article about flea prevention in general: https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-prevent-flea-and-tick-infestations-on-your-dog/ I hope this helps.

Thanks for reaching out. Feather lice are rarely a concern but a gentle bath and warmth to recover could decrease the numbers until older, where topical medications are safer. Clean the environment regularly to cut down on re-contamination. Good luck.

The good thing is bird mites don't usually feed off people, but they can still bite and cause irritation. Bird mites usually are a result of wild birds living nearby, so clearing out any brush, nests in your house or under eaves, etc can help to resolve the numbers in your home. Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting everything also can reduce the population. Bird mites do not usually cause sores, but if they are causing itching and Sassy is chewing on herself to the point of wounding, it is best to have her examined by your vet. They can make sure the sores haven't become infected and that there isn't another parasite that is potentially causing the problem. Most regular flea and tick medications will also protect against biting lice and other similar parasites as well. If you can't afford care, this site can help give you some ideas to make it affordable so Sassy can get the help she needs: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/having-trouble-affording-veterinary-care

Most veterinary approved flea products such as Frontline and Advantage are safe to use around children. If you do use a topical product, be sure to just wash your hands and your children's hands if they pet your dogs around the area that is affected to keep from ingesting any product. If you are concerned about the use of a topical coming into contact with your children, oral products are available direct through a veterinarian. Products such as Capstar are a pill given in oral form that can help kill fleas within 24 hours. For your household, keeping the house clean and vacuumed, washing any affected bedding and keeping your pets on a preventive medication will help to keep the flea population away. DIatomaceous Earth (food grade) can also be used to naturally kill fleas through dehydration, and is not harmful to humans or pets. It can be sprinkled around the environment to kill fleas and flea eggs in it. A simple shampoo of Dawn dish soap and a flea comb can also be used to kill fleas on the body and make them easier to remove without the use of harmful chemicals.

If Dusk has a flea bite rash, I would be concerned that the Fronline spray isn't working. If it was working, she should not have flea bites. I personally have encountered resistance to Frontline, as have some of my colleagues; therefore, I would recommend trying another flea prevention. She should see a vet for the rash if it's inflamed, and I would take her into the vet in the morning. For now, I would not put the spray on Dusk if she has this rash, as it may work it worse. She may need treatment for the rash, such as an antihistamine or steroids, which can be prescribed by the vet tomorrow. You can give her Capstar now. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas in 30 minutes, and it safe to give with other flea treatments. As for flea protection, given that she has a rash, I would avoid a spot on treatment, and give her a pill protection such as Comfortis or Nexgard. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. Please take Dusk into the vet tomorrow.

Flea and tick drugs are not toxic if used responsibly at acceptable doses. Shepherd breeds should ways use these drugs with care due to the possible presence of the MDR gene, a genetic component that can cause oversensitivity to some drugs. Other products that are natural that have been shown to have some repellant and insecticidal activity include coconut oil and cedar oil.

Duck feet/raw foods/even cooked duck feet are not ideal and can lead to gastrointestinal obstructions. They would not help with reducing plaque and tartar even if that were not a risk. I recommend purchasing an enzymatic chicken flavored toothpaste made for dogs and brushing Giulio’s teeth daily. VetriScience makes a powdered product called PerioSupport that you add to your dog’s food daily that helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup and improve their breath as well. This product as well as the toothpaste can be purchased online. Good luck!