Permethrin, a common insecticide used in residential mosquito control programs by several Colorado cities and counties, can be toxic to pets in high concentrations.
The chemical, which is also found in some flea collars for dogs, is approved for use in products at low, diluted concentrations. Front Range communities, including Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, and Broomfield, contract with a mosquito management company that applies a 30% permethrin mixture at a rate of no more than .007 pounds per acre.
Exposure to the insecticide can cause neurological symptoms in dogs and cats, such as ear twitching or rolling on the ground. Cats are especially sensitive to permethrin; exposure to concentrations over 45% can affect their nervous system and potentially lead to death.
To mitigate risk, officials in Fort Collins recommend bringing pets indoors during spraying operations, which typically occur in July and August when the threat of West Nile virus is highest.
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