Make Your Own Pet-Friendly Insect Control
With all of the attention on how harmful most pesticides are, many of us have switched to organic and eco-friendly products for the lawn and garden. But when those biting, itchy pests arrive, it’s all too easy to grab some pesticides to keep them from invading our homes and bodies. Unfortunately, many pest control products are also harmful to other animals, including pets.
Several pet owners have asked the team at the Whole Pet Vet and Wellness Center about some pet-friendly insect control options and we are happy to help! Here are some of our favorite solutions to pet friendly insect control.
4 Natural, Pet-Friendly Insect Control Solutions
All-natural, pet-friendly products are all the rage these days, and there are several safe insect control products on the market, such as Wondercide Natural Indoor Pest Control and Simply Green Pest Control. You can also prevent bugs from creeping into the home and yard by making your own simple, but effective solutions:
Homemade Mosquito Repellent
- 12 drops of geranium oil
- 10 drops of lavender
- 10 drops of lemon balm
- 10 drops of cedarwood
Combine these essential oils with distilled water in a clean spray bottle. This fragrant spray can be used around areas where mosquitoes hang out, such as the patio, and around doors, windows, and screens.
Easy Tick Repellent
Ticks loathe the smell of vinegar. This very easy concoction combines three ingredients. How simple is that!
Fill a spray bottle with two cups of white vinegar and one cup of water, then add two tablespoons of almond oil, which is also a natural tick repellent.
Shake and spray around places where ticks love to hide.
Pet Safe Plants that Pests Hate
If you want to keep some of the pests from making their home in the yard, why not use some natural pest control by planting useful herbs. These herbs are aromatic, can be used for a variety of delicious meals, and control bugs, all at the same time. Plus, they are pet safe!
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Lemon Balm
- Catnip
- Peppermint
- Lavender
Natural Flea Control
Another easy DIY spray is to repel fleas using dishwater soap. Here is a time-tested favorite.
- 1 part dishwater soap, like Dawn
- 1 part white vinegar
- 2 parts warm water
Use this spray on surfaces where fleas have been hiding, such as in the lawn and on outdoor rugs.
Have an Ant Problem?
Try mixing equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar on a paper plate and leave in the path of the ants.
The powdered sugar lures them in (so the problem may seem to get worse before it gets better – this may take 2-3 days). They will consume the baking soda and return to their colony to feed the masses, where they eventually perish.
You can also try Borax options or diatomaceous earth around the perimeter to deter ants, both can typically be found at your local hardware store.
We hope these solutions to pet friendly insect control have been helpful and offer some good solutions to eradicating pests. If you would like more information, please contact us.