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Mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and other pests are menaces to outdoor fun. Trim back overcrowded brush where ticks and fleas congregate to stop them from hitching a ride on your pet. Mosquitoes love standing water, so do what you can to eliminate it before the weather gets warm and these pests start to lay eggs. To keep pets from gnawing on them in your garden, get some fresh from a farmer’s market and hang them upside down in congregating areas outside to keep pests away.įinally, be proactive. Lavender and peppermint plants are beautifully aromatic, which is great for you and not so great for the bugs you’re trying to keep away. Basil and catnip are no good for bugs (even if your cat loves them). You might also make a 1:1 ratio of lemon juice to water and spray it around outside where cats and dogs can’t reach as a perimeter ward against some bugs.Īside from essential oils, plenty of plants are known for their pest repellent properties. For dogs, lemon oil on the collar is perfectly safe and will ward off insects who decide to swoop in close. Not all essential oils are bad! While eucalyptus and lemon might irritate cats, geranium and soybean oils can work instead (bear in mind, geranium plants are toxic to animals their oils are safe). With DEET products, citronella and some essential oils out of the picture, what’s a pet owner to do when the mosquitoes and other pests start swarming? As it turns out, there are plenty of natural pest repellent strategies that are both effective and pet-safe. Pest repellent techniques that are safe for pets
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If you plan on lighting one, make sure your pet isn’t anywhere near. Tea tree oil is another natural repellent used to ward off insects, but it’s highly toxic to pets.įinally, citronella candles are a staple in keeping mosquitoes away…but they’re also toxic to pets. Cats tend to have adverse reactions to both lemon and eucalyptus, which may induce vomiting. Lemon eucalyptus is a proven insect repellent that does the job without the chemicals, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely safe for your pets. While it’s a step in the right direction, there are also some warnings here. Most people turn to essential oils and natural remedies instead of DEET products. A few licks from an excited pup could have very dangerous consequences! Not only should you never spray your pet, you should make sure they’re nowhere near you if you apply it to yourself. For pets, it can cause neurological problems, such as tremors, seizures or even death. Unfortunately, this compound comes with a slew of dangerous side effects for both people and pets. The active ingredient in most brand-name, off-the-shelf pest products is diethyltoluamide (DEET), which repels insects. The biggest, most important thing to remember is that DEET and other off-the-shelf chemical products are not safe for your pet. Let’s start with the basics of what not to do when it comes to pest control and your pet. Here are a few tips for what you should and shouldn’t do to protect your four-legged friend. Insect repellent and pest protection in the warmer months of the year are must-haves. Ticks, fleas, mites and more all come out to play when temperatures rise, and the first place they’re going to cause trouble is with your pet. Needless to say, it’s important to protect yourself and your pet from them.
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These literal bloodsuckers are more than just annoying-they can also be deadly, depending on the diseases they’re carrying. While you’re out there, you’ll have to contend with nature’s most abhorrent pest: mosquitoes. If you’re planning on making the most of the spring and summer seasons, you’re likely to be outdoors more often than not.
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