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Wondercide is a well-known brand that offers a natural and holistic approach to repel fleas and ticks for pets. In 2016, Wondercide reformulated its products to remove hydrated silica, a common ingredient in pest control products, to enhance safety for pets and their owners. The hydrated silica was removed when their US supplier of this ingredient, which is commonly used in human personal care products (like toothpaste), decided they were no longer going to sell this ingredient for use in pest control products. Wondercide made the decision to stand by their commitment to quality, US-based sourcing, and reformulated their products.
Wondercide's mission is and always has been to help people and their pets limit their exposure to unnecessary toxins and pesticides, which is reflected in all of their products, which are made from safe, natural ingredients and are 100% free of synthetic chemical pesticides or poisons.
What is Hydrated Silica?
Hydrated silica is a form of silicon dioxide (SiO2) that is derived from silica, a naturally occurring mineral found in various types of rocks and minerals. Hydrated silica is produced by reacting silica with water, leading to the formation of a hydrated form of the compound.
Hydrated silica is commonly used in a wide range of products across industries, including cosmetics, oral care products, food additives, pharmaceuticals, and even in certain pet care products like flea and tick repellents. In pet care products, hydrated silica is often used as an abrasive or thickening agent, as well as for its absorbent properties.
In the context of pet care products, hydrated silica has been traditionally used in some flea and tick control products as an inert carrier or filler for active ingredients. However, concerns about the safety and potential health risks associated with hydrated silica have led some companies, like Wondercide, to reformulate their products to remove this ingredient and replace it with safer alternatives.
While hydrated silica is generally considered safe for external use in controlled amounts, its potential risks and irritant properties have prompted some manufacturers to seek alternative ingredients. It's always advisable for pet owners to carefully review product labels and consult with veterinarians before using any pet care products containing hydrated silica or other unfamiliar ingredients.
Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray
I've been using Wondercide products to repel fleas and ticks for years and was surprised when I saw social media rumors that they had changed their ingredients and their products were no longer safe. I immediately contacted Wondercide and was assured that despite the change (dropping the hydrated silica), their products remain safe and effective for my dogs and I continue to use them today.
Wondercide offers the following four Flea & Tick repellents, with limited active ingredients:
- Lemongrass: cedarwood oil, lemongrass oil, sodium lauryl sulfate (coconut oil), and sesame oil
- Rosemary: cedarwood oil, rosemary oil, sodium lauryl sulfate (coconut oil), and sesame oil
- Peppermint: cedarwood oil, peppermint oil, sodium lauryl sulfate (coconut oil), and sesame oil
- Cedarwood: cedarwood oil, sodium lauryl sulfate (coconut oil), and sesame oil
Additional ingredients include: Deionized Water, Ethyl Lactate, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl Oleate, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Vitamin E, and Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate
How These Ingredients Repel Fleas & Ticks
Many natural flea and tick repellents use essential oils in their products. Wondercide chose cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary, and lemongrass because these oils contain compounds that are known to repel fleas and ticks due to their strong scents and potential insecticidal effects. When used in pet care products, these essential oils provide a natural and safe alternative to chemical pesticides, helping to deter parasites while leaving a pleasant fragrance on the pet's skin and coat.
I've known about the repelling properties of essential oils for years, but I wasn't familiar with the how the other ingredients used in their flea and tick sprays helped to keep my dogs safe from fleas and ticks.
1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (Coconut Oil): Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a surfactant derived from coconut oil. In Wondercide products, it acts as a cleansing agent and helps distribute the active ingredients. This ingredient is safe for dogs when used in appropriate concentrations and ensures that the formula spreads evenly across the pet's coat for adequate protection against fleas and ticks, smothering fleas and ticks on contact.
2. Sesame Seed Oil: Sesame oil has been used for centuries in various cultures for its natural insect-repellent properties. When applied to a dog's skin and coat, sesame oil forms a protective barrier that can help repel fleas, support the dog's natural defenses against parasites, and ticks by smothering fleas and ticks on contact. Sesame oil contains natural compounds like sesamol and sesamin, which create an environment on the pet's skin and coat that is less attractive to fleas and ticks, deterring them from infesting the animal.
3. Deionized Water: Deionized water is water that has had its mineral ions removed through a process called deionization. It is commonly used in pet care products as a solvent or base ingredient. Deionized water helps in formulating solutions by ensuring purity, stability, and consistency. While deionized water itself does not repel fleas and ticks, it serves as a carrier for active ingredients and helps in the even distribution of the repellent formulation on the pet's skin and coat.
4. Ethyl Lactate (Corn): Ethyl Lactate is a solvent derived from corn and is often used in eco-friendly products due to its biodegradable nature. In Wondercide Flea & Tick Repellent, it acts as a carrier for the active ingredients that repel fleas and ticks. Ethyl Lactate helps in dispersing the repellent evenly on the dog's fur and skin, ensuring long-lasting protection against pests.
5. Sodium Chlodride: While sodium chloride itself may not directly repel fleas and ticks, it can be used in combination with other ingredients in pet care products to create a hostile environment for these parasites. When applied to the skin and coat of pets, sodium chloride can help to dehydrate and desiccate the bodies of fleas and ticks. This dehydration process can be detrimental to the pests, making it harder for them to survive and reproduce. The other ingredients in Wondercide's Flea & Tick Spray prevent the dog's skin from drying.
6. Polyglyceryl Oleate (Blueberries): Polyglyceryl Oleate is derived from blueberries and is used in Wondercide formulations as an emulsifier and conditioning agent. It helps to mix oil-based and water-based ingredients, ensuring the product maintains its stability and consistency. Additionally, blueberries are known for their antioxidant properties, which can provide additional benefits for the skin and coat of dogs.
7. Glycerin: Glycerin is a natural humectant that attracts moisture to the skin and helps maintain hydration. In flea and tick repellent products, glycerin can help condition the pet's skin and coat, making it less hospitable for parasites. By keeping the skin moisturized and healthy, glycerin can indirectly contribute to repelling fleas and ticks.
8. Citric Acid: Citric acid is a weak organic acid that can be used as a preservative, pH adjuster, or chelating agent in pet care products. In flea and tick repellents, citric acid can help in controlling the pH of the formulation, making it less favorable for parasites. It can also act as a natural insecticide by disrupting the pests' cell membranes or digestive systems.
9. Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and supports skin health. In flea and tick repellent products, vitamin E can promote skin healing and strengthen the skin's natural defenses against parasites. By maintaining skin integrity and health, vitamin E contributes to overall pest resistance.
10. Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate: Trisodium citrate dihydrate is a salt derived from citric acid that can act as a buffering agent or emulsifier in formulations. In flea and tick repellents, trisodium citrate dihydrate may help stabilize the product and enhance the efficacy of other active ingredients. It can also contribute to regulating pH levels and creating an environment that is unfavorable for parasites.
The ingredients in Wondercide Flea & Tick Repellent work synergistically to create a barrier that repels fleas and ticks from your dog. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate aids in spreading the formula evenly, while Polyglyceryl Oleate ensures the stability of the product. Ethyl Lactate acts as a carrier for the active ingredients that deter pests, helping to protect your dog effectively.
How I Use Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray
I've used Wondercide for years, but only the Cedarwood, Rosemary, and Lemongrass sprays – I prefer the Rosemary and Lemongrass; the Cederwood is too strong. After years of use to repel fleas and ticks, I've learned that a little goes a long way and I find it easier to spray the liquid on my hands and rub it into the coat of each of my dogs before we head outside. This allows me to control how much I use while not wasting it. When spraying, the oil can get on the floors and furniture, which I want to avoid.
I only use Wondercide during the spring, summer, and fall. Applying it to my dogs' coats several days weekly. Where I live, fleas aren't a big issue, and a diet of fresh food and consistent use of Wondercide (a few days a week) keeps the fleas and mosquitoes at bay (I apply it to my exposed skin too – it works!). I can't confidently state that it works against ticks, because we've never experienced ticks, knock on wood.
I haven't used a topical or prescription flea and tick repellent since I began using Wondercide years ago.
After years of using Wondercide Flea & Tick Sprays on my dogs, I'm confident in sharing my believe that they are a safe and natural solution for pet owners looking to protect their dogs from fleas and ticks. Removing hydrated silica in the reformulation underscores Wondercide's commitment to product safety. By understanding the benefits of the ingredients used in their products, pet owners can confidently use them to protect their dogs from fleas and ticks.
