When you have pests, it is natural to seek any means to get rid of them. As you search for a fix to your problem, you’ll find that there are many effective options for eliminating insects and rodents. Unfortunately, many of these substances are so strong that they can harm your pets, as well.
Thankfully, it is possible to get rid of pests without harming your pets. But to do so successfully, you need to know about specific materials and the settings in which to use them. In this article, we’ll help you prepare to get rid of pests while protecting your pets.
The Best Pet-Friendly Pest Control
The first factor you need to consider is what kind of pest problem you have. Each variety of pest has a different physiology and behavior pattern. This variety leads to many different means of removal. In the following sections, we will cover a few of the best pet-friendly pest control solutions. For each one, we’ll tell you what pests the treatment is effective for and how to use the treatment effectively.
Diatomaceous Earth
One of the best pet-friendly pest control options is diatomaceous earth. This substance consists of fossilized remains that have accumulated over time in aquatic settings. Currently, diatomaceous earth is an active ingredient in many pest control products. This popularity arises from the fact that diatomaceous earth can help kill the following common household pests:
- Cockroaches
- Spiders
- Ticks
- Bed Bugs
Diatomaceous earth essentially removes the oils from an insect’s body. When an insect comes in contact with this substance, they die due to a lack of moisture in their bodies. However, this treatment only affects species that have an exoskeleton. That means that your pets will remain safe.
Applying diatomaceous earth is easy. Simply sprinkle some in the areas where you notice your insect pests.
Non-Toxic Rodent Traps
Mice and rats are exceptionally common household pests. These rodents often nest in your walls or other areas that are hard to reach. The issue is, these animals can cause expensive damage to your home by chewing on:
- Electrical wiring
- Furnishings
- Valuable items
Along with this damage, rodents pose another threat to your family and your pets. They often carry and spread harmful diseases. So, if you notice rodents in your home, it is crucial to take action immediately.
One of the best ways to get rid of rodents is by using non-toxic rodent traps. These traps often have a creative design that traps rodents after luring them in with bait. This allows you to capture rats and mice without using any toxic materials. That means your pets will remain safe even if they are curious enough to sniff around the trap.
Citrus Juices
Citrus juices are a great natural remedy for pests. They are especially helpful in getting rid of insects like cockroaches. But they can help eliminate these insects as well:
- Ants
- Aphids
- Fleas
Citrus is a familiar scent in cleaning products. But citrus has uses that go beyond creating a pleasant smell. Few people know that you can use citrus to kill insects. This solution also proves to be very cost-effective and easy to perform.
All you need is some form of citrus oil or citrus juice. This juice could come from any citrus fruit such as a lemon or an orange. Try filling a spray bottle with the solution. Then spray the areas of your home with the solution to kill the pests. As a preventative measure, you can spray around the exterior of your home. This may deter pests from entering your house in the first place.
Signs that You Have a Pest Problem
It is reassuring to know about the several pest control options that won’t harm your pets. But applying these solutions is not the first step in ridding your home of pests.
Before you even begin getting rid of pests, you need to know that they are present. Identifying the presence of a pest early on can help lessen the damage they cause. Here are a few of the signs that your home has a pest problem:
- Animal droppings
- Chew marks on furniture
- Pest nests
- Dead pests
By looking for these signs, you may have the chance to remove pests before they wreak havoc on your home. After finding these signs, you should have a good idea of what kind of pest is in your home. Then you can use one of the above methods to remove it.
Pest Prevention Tips
The best way to control pests is to prevent them from becoming a problem in the first place. While many people neglect these practices, you can use a few tactics to lower the odds that you will have a pest problem. Read on to learn a few preventative measures you can take to keep your home pest-free.
Destroy Breeding Grounds
One of the best ways to slow or stop the spread of a pest is to destroy its breeding grounds. Without doing this, pests can quickly multiply. By cutting pests off at the source, you can control their numbers, making it far easier to eliminate them.
For example, mosquitos like to breed in low-lying areas where water gathers. To combat this, you should try to dry these areas as much as possible. As a first step, you should get rid of any unnecessary containers that hold liquid.
However, there are parts of a home that will remain wet as long as they function correctly. One example of this is a cistern. In this scenario, you will want to use a screen to prevent mosquitoes from entering the cistern where they can breed.
Store Food in Containers
The food in your panty is attractive to many pests. After all, they need a food supply to survive and multiply. Improper food storage methods only encourage pests to enter your home. So, what can you do to ensure that poor food storage is not the cause of your next infestation?
As you store food, you should have pest prevention at the forefront of your mind. You should not store food in open containers or in containers that an animal could easily destroy. For instance, a paper bag or cardboard box is no match for a rodent’s teeth.
Sealing your food in a sturdy container will make it much harder for insects and rodents to gain access. With luck, this lack of food will motivate pests to find a different home.
Keep Your Home Clean
To prevent a pest infestation, always keep your home as clean as possible. Cleanliness is vital for areas like your kitchen.
As you handle food in your kitchen, you are likely to leave crumbs and scraps of food behind. Pests, like cockroaches, love to feed on these scraps.
To avoid a pest problem, you should employ a regular cleaning routine in all areas of your home. Pay specific attention to your kitchen so that your food preparation does not lead to unwanted guests.
Conclusion
Pests in your home are always a nuisance. And the problem only becomes more challenging to solve when you have pets living in your home as well. To get rid of pests without harming your pets, use one of the methods in this article. If you don’t have pests, you should remain alert. Knowing the signs of an infestation, and using some preventative measures, are the best means for keeping your home pest-free.
Sources:
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html
https://www.automatictrap.com/blogs/news/how-to-kill-rats–without-harming-dogs
https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/environmental-health/pests-and-insects/pest-control