La Estacionalidad de los Parásitos: ¿Por Qué Aparecen Más en Verano?

The Seasonality of Parasites: Why Do They Appear More in the Summer?

Have you noticed your pet scratching more when the weather gets warmer? You're not alone. The arrival of seasonal heat brings with it an increase in the activity of parasites like fleas and ticks. But why does this happen, and how can we protect our pets safely and naturally?

The Life Cycle of Parasites and Heat

Parasites, especially fleas and ticks, are more active during the warmer months for several reasons:

  1. Acceleration of the life cycle : Warm temperatures accelerate the development of eggs and larvae 1 .
  2. Increased mobility : Heat increases the activity of adult parasites, making them more efficient at finding hosts 2 .
  3. Favorable environmental conditions : Humidity and heat create an ideal environment for the survival of these parasites 3 .

How Do They Find Our Pets?

Parasites have developed sophisticated strategies to locate their hosts:

  • Heat Sensing : They can sense the body heat of animals.
  • CO2 Sensitivity : Detects carbon dioxide exhaled by pets.
  • Vibrations : They perceive the vibrations of the movement of potential hosts 4 .

The Natural Solution: Cinnamon (Drimys winteri)

In Chile, we are fortunate to have cinnamon, a native plant with repellent properties against ticks and fleas, and is even effective in controlling scabies. Why choose natural solutions?

  1. Safety : Natural products are less toxic to pets and humans.
  2. Effectiveness : Cinnamon has been shown to be an effective repellent against various parasites 5 .
  3. Respect for the environment : Natural treatments have a lower environmental impact.

Tips to Protect Your Pet

  1. Use ECOAustralis natural cinnamon-based products regularly.
  2. Keep your pet's environment clean and dry.
  3. Check on your pet after walks, especially in wooded areas.
  4. Consult your veterinarian about a prevention plan tailored to your region.

Remember, prevention is key. By choosing natural solutions like cinnamon, you're not only protecting your pet, but also the environment and the health of your entire family.

  1. Dryden, M.W., & Rust, M.K. (1994). The cat flea: biology, ecology and control. Veterinary parasitology, 52(1-2), 1-19. ↩

  2. Beugnet, F., & Marie, J.L. (2009). Emerging arthropod-borne diseases of companion animals in Europe. Veterinary parasitology, 163(4), 298-305. ↩

  3. Linardi, P.M., & Santos, J.L.C. (2012). Ctenocephalides felis felis vs. Ctenocephalides canis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae): some issues in correctly identifying these species. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária, 21(4), 345-354. ↩

  4. Sonenshine, DE, & Roe, RM (Eds.). (2013). Biology of ticks (Vol. 2). Oxford University Press. ↩

  5. Muñoz, O., Montes, M., & Wilkomirsky, T. (2001). Medicinal plants used in Chile: Chemistry and pharmacology. University Press. ↩

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