8 Pet-Safe Pest Control Products
Updated: Jun. 05, 2024
When you choose products to rid your yard and home of pests, keep the health of your family and pets in mind.
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Pet-Safe and Pest-Free
Whether it’s fleas, ants, roaches, deer or mice, we have pet-safe pest control products that you can feel confident using around your home.
When purchasing products to rid your home and yard of pests, always read labels and ingredient lists, and use products that do not contain harmful chemicals or other toxic ingredients. DEET, used in many pest control products, can be dangerous to pets, as can metaldehydein, found in some slug, snail and rodent control products.
Certified animal behavior consultant and award-winning pet book author, Amy Shojai, says, “Toxic reactions can kill pets. You’ll see signs of poisoning. Think of the acronym SLUD, which stands for salivation, lacrimation, urination and defecation—which are the clinical signs associated with certain toxins often common of insecticide poisoning. Birds, fish (in aquariums) and cats are especially susceptible to toxicity from pest treatments. Dogs also develop toxicity.”
She goes on to advise, “Remove pets from any areas that you plan to treat. So remove birds and fish from the house (not just the room), and cover fish tanks completely. Don’t allow pets back in the house or the yard area until the product has completely dried. But always read and follow directions. Remember that pets that walk across the grass or damp carpet can lick paws, or simply absorb the toxin through their skin or by breathing it.”
Our pet experts gathered the following pet-safe pest control products to repel insects, mammals and other unwanted critters, while posing no danger to your beloved pets.
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Diatomaceous Earth
This powdery, pet-safe pest control substance is made from fossils called diatoms. Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth wherever you see signs of unwanted insects like bedbugs, roaches or fleas. Insects with exoskeletons dehydrate when coming in contact with Diatomaceous Earth, but pets are not harmed by it. It’s sometimes used to prevent internal parasites, or dusted into a pet’s fur for treatment against fleas.
DE, as it’s sometimes called, will kill insects within 24 hours when used as directed. It can be used inside or outside of your home as a pet-safe pest control measure. It can even be added to kitty litter to absorb odor. A favorite of gardeners and pet owners alike, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this multi-purpose product.
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Catchmaster Fly Paper
Sticky fly traps attract and catch flying insects like houseflies and gnats. These traps are non-toxic and placed on an interior window where flying insects hang out, but up and away from your pets. They’re easy to apply directly to a window and easy to remove leaving little residue that can be removed with window cleaner.
These unobtrusive sticky traps catch flies so quickly and effortlessly, you’ll no longer have to run around the house with a fly swatter. Let Catchmaster do the work for you.
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Deer Scram Repellent
Are deer and rabbits eating everything you grow? Deer Scram keeps those pesky critters away.
Deer Scram is made from natural organic ingredients. While it smells bad to the animals you don’t want hanging out in your yard, you can’t smell it—and most importantly, it won’t harm your pets.
It’s rain and snow resistant but should still be applied monthly for increased effectiveness.
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BioLogic’s Live Nematodes
BioLogic’s Scanmask microscopic nematodes (Steinernema feltiae) feast on cutworms, grubs and other lawn ruiners, but are harmless to humans and pets. Just like these earth friendly products, nematodes are a natural way to get rid of garden pests and improve soil health
BioLogic’s nematodes are sprinkled on the soil and eliminate 230 insects including fire ants, causing Amazon users to refer to this scanmask as “a miracle”.
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Pet-Safe Insect Repelling Lavender Plant
Many plants can be used to repel gnawing insects from vegetable and flower gardens. Lavender and lemon balm are pet-friendly plants mosquitoes loathe. Oregano contains carvacrol, a natural insect repellent, and basil is an aromatic fly deterrent.
It’s not too late to plant some pet-safe pest control plants. This cold hardy English lavender plant is a perennial that is suitable for growing zones 5-9, so you’ll enjoy its benefits for years to come.
Two Cents
No one knows for sure why this folk remedy keeps flies away, but it’s worth a try. Place a few pennies in a clear food storage bag filled with water and hang it on the porch and other places where flies gather. Make sure the bags are secure so pets can’t swallow the pennies.
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Orange Guard
Citrus oil extracts are eco- and pollinator-friendly and safe to use around people and pets. But they are deadly to ants, roaches, palmetto bugs, fleas, silverfish and many other insects. You can safely spray your home or garden’s perimeter with citrus extract products to eliminate these bugs. Get to know how long will fleas live in a house without pets.
Cats are especially sensitive to essential oils, so keep them away from the treated areas until the product has dried. Orange Guard can be used indoors or out making this a fresh smelling and pet-safe pest control product.
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Pamkelle Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
Ultrasonic pest repellers are surprisingly effective. This plug-in ultrasonic pest repeller uses varying frequencies to repel insects and mice from your home without harming people or pets. Skeptical? Over 8,300 users on Amazon gave this pet-safe pest repeller a 4.5-star average rating. This affordable 6-pack is a must-have item in your basement, garage, kitchen and pantry.
Up next, check out these top-rated pet-safe cleaning products.
Source:
- Amy Shojai, certified animal behavior consultant and award-winning pet book author
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Originally Published: July 09, 2020
