If you own a pet, you know how important it is to prioritize their safety when introducing new chemicals or pest control products into their living space.
Luckily, there are several pest control solutions you can implement that have proven to be effective without harming your fur babies. Here are some of the top pet-friendly pest control methods and how you can start using them in your home!
The Importance of Pet Safety in Pest Control
While many pest control treatments claim to be pet-safe, most chemicals can still harm your pet if consumed. Therefore, when working with harsh chemicals and insecticides, keeping your pets far away from the treated area is important as an added safety precaution. For example, mosquito yard sprays usually require pets and people to avoid the affected area for up to 30 minutes or more.
Likewise, not all pest control solutions require harsh chemicals. By practicing proper preventative pest control and using safe products, you can just as effectively eliminate pests without risking harm to your pets.
Top Pet-Friendly Pest Control Solutions
There are several ways to prevent and get rid of pests in your Maryland home while also keeping your fur babies out of harm’s way.
1. Sealing Entry Points
Physically blocking pests from entering your home is one of the easiest and safest forms of pest control. Seal up any entry points, including cracks in your siding and gaps where pipes enter, using a variety of sealants.
- Caulk
- Weatherstripping
- Expanding spray foam
Consider inspecting harder-to-reach places, such as crawl spaces and foundations, that are often overlooked.
2. Keeping a Clean Home and Yard
Pests often just require good coverage to form nests and dwell. Keep your yard clutter-free by trimming your grass regularly and cleaning up any twigs or branches. Old wood, especially softwood, can be magnets for destructive pests like carpenter ants and termites if left around.
3. Homemade Vinegar Solutions
For a quick contact solution to pest control, consider making a homemade pest spray using vinegar. Often used as an organic cleaning agent, vinegar repels many insects, including Fruit flies, ants, and mosquitoes, who hate the smell of vinegar. Add it to a spray bottle with water for a quick contact solution, or clean countertops and hard surfaces using a diluted vinegar solution for long-lasting relief.
4. Water Blasts
Investing in a water blaster is another way to prevent pests while keeping your pets safe. Water blasters detect when a critter is nearby and hit it with an unexpected stream of water that startles it.
5. Bug Zappers, Fans, and Papers
Products like bug zappers, fans, and papers can eliminate pests without harming your pets. These products can be purchased at most home improvement stores and are generally safe to use around animals as long as you carefully follow the directions when setting them up.
6. Organic Pesticides
Organic pesticides like diatomaceous earth, neem oil, and certain organic granules are commonly used for pest management and are considered non-toxic or low to moderately toxic to pets if accidentally ingested.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around window sills, entrances, and garden beds for quick pest relief.
Diluted neem oil can be safely sprayed on plants and around areas with high pest traffic.
Granules can also be applied to gardens and are considered mostly safe, but we recommend keeping your pets away using a fence.
Other organic pest control methods that are safe for pets include integrated pest management (IPM) and introducing natural control.
7. Pet-Safe Plants
Did you know that many plants you may already be growing in your garden can also be used to deter pests? Plants like mint, basil, and coriander are all known to ward off many household pests and are also safe for dogs if ingested.
8. Essential Oils
The use of certain essential oils in the home can keep pests away without harming your fur babies. Essential oils like peppermint, lemon, and eucalyptus tend to deter many insects with their strong scents. Add a few drops of a diffuser or mix in a spray bottle with water and apply to countertops and other surfaces in the home.
9. Residential Pest Control Plans
While many of these pet-safe pest control products and solutions can be effective, they are mostly preventative and not as effective as hiring a pest control expert. For guaranteed pest control, invest in a residential pest control plan.
Pest Czar’s Czar Guard provides monthly protection against over a dozen pests, using only safe and proven solutions.
Many local companies, such as Pest Czar, also offer highly effective organic insecticides for emergency treatments. However, when you need stronger treatment for more aggressive infestations, our technicians can devise a safe pest control plan for you and your pets.
Remember, part of pet-safe pest control is knowing how to apply solutions without putting your fur babies at risk.
FAQs
What should I do if my pet ingests a pest control product?
If your pet accidentally ingests a pest control product, you must act fast and contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately. They will be able to instruct you on what to do depending on what your pet has ingested and can determine whether you should bring your pet in for treatment or simply monitor it at home.
How often should I conduct pest inspections in my pet-friendly home?
For the best chance of preventing pests, it is recommended that homeowners have pest inspections done quarterly or each season. You should also familiarize yourself with the telltale signs of a pest infestation and what to look for so that you can conduct your own inspections in between professional treatments.
Are there any pest control methods specifically recommended for pet birds?
Citrus peels can be used as a safe method of pest management. They contain d-limonene, a natural insecticide that does not harm birds. Place citrus peels near areas where they are suspected.