Pests are annoying and they make you feel uncomfortable all the time. The first thing that comes to mind is to get rid of them using some commercial pest control products. This should be done but always make sure that your pests control products are safe for your pets.
Taking a look at the ingredients and composition of that product is essential to not only protect your pets but kids at home as well. With that being said, the question that may come to your mind is: what pest control is safe for pets?
Well, this guide will bring you a detailed answer while clearing all your confusion and concerns about pests control and their impact on your pets as well.
Is pest control dangerous for pets
Pests control are fairly safe and do not cause any issues but products include ingredients that can be harmful to your pets. This is the reason that experts recommend considering all the precautionary measures while implementing pests control processes.
As we all know, dogs and almost all other animals that are kept as pets have a common habit of exploring and smelling every part of the house. This habit can sometimes become harmful as they can inhale, lick, or eat pesticides.
Some people also have the opinion that pesticides can only affect pets until they are wet but you should not make this assumption for granted. Metaldehyde and DEET are some of the extremely harmful ingredients commonly used in pest control products.
Does pest control can actually kill pets
Pests control products or pesticides are harmful to almost all living beings whether they are wild animals, pets, or humans. They include some of the most powerful chemicals in their composition which can cause various short-term as well as long-term issues.
Experts and pet specialists claim that harmful pest control can hurt your pets to the extent that they may get issues like birth defects, nerve damage, cancer, etc. When it comes to whether pest control kills pets, this simple answer is, yes.
Most of the pest control products and procedures are pet safe but if you do the process incorrectly or use the wrong product, there could be consequences. Pesticides, insecticides, or any other pest control products can cause poisoning in your pets’ blood.
If you feel that your pet is not behaving normally after you have used a pest control procedure, it is essential to get it examined by a vet. Not visiting the vet and giving a proper treatment can cause your pet to die because of poison and strong chemicals.
What pest control is safe for dogs
As said earlier, there are various pesticides or pest control procedures that are completely safe for your pets and kids as well. Below is the list of a few pest controls that will bring you the intended results while preventing your pets from getting any harm as well.
1. Acetamiprid
Acetamiprid is composed of synthetic organic compounds which are not only odorless but are quite effective in killing bed bugs as well. It was first used to remove sucking insects from plants and since then, its popularity is constantly growing. The best thing about acetamiprid is that it rapidly degrades and makes the place safe for pets, humans, animals, and birds alike.
2. Imidacloprid
Imidacloprid is effective in killing various kinds of insects and pests mainly including fleas, sucking insects, termites, etc. It acts as nicotine which is also considered an effective product to control pests’ growth in pets. They are extracted from plants and pests can die immediately after eating them. Although the poison is enough for insects, they don’t cause any major issues in dogs.
3. Nitenpyram
Nitenpyram is one of the most common products used for pest control on pets, especially dogs and cats. The only issue is that they can easily kill insects and pests but cannot affect the hatching process of their eggs. Although they cannot affect dogs, minor issues may occur. Consulting a vet will be the best option if you notice any “not so normal” behavior in your dogs.
4. Spinosad
Spinosad has two major chemicals in its composition, Spinosyn D. and Spinosyn A. Where both these chemicals are extremely toxic when it comes to insects and pests, the product has been approved safe for pets by the Environmental Protection Agency.
5. Lufenuron
Lufenuron is pests safe as it can kill adult fleas with the help of insecticides while quitting their growth and development as well. It stops the hatching process of eggs which makes it an effective pest control to kill and further prevent your pets as well. It is safe for pets as there are no harmful chemicals included in its composition.
6. Pyriproxyfen
Pyriproxyfen also stops the inhabiting process of insects and pests while killing them as well. Where pyriproxyfen is safe for pets, it can kill a wide range of pests including cockroaches, mosquitos, ants, beetles, etc.
How long after pest control is it safe for pets
It depends on various factors such as type of product, its ingredients, and whether you have applied pest control inside your home or outside area. If your pest control product falls in the normal range in terms of its side effects, it is best to keep your pets or dogs away from that area for at least 30 minutes.
This time is suggested for outdoors while indoor areas may require a bit longer as the pesticides may take some extra minutes to dry out completely. In the indoor area, some experts suggest at least 2 to 4 hours while depending on the type of product and procedures, the time may increase as much as 24 hours as well.
Can pets go out after the pest control procedure
No matter what kind of pest control products or services you are using in your home, it is always necessary to take proper steps so that you can avoid any mishaps. There is no point in letting your pets go out after the pest control procedure for at least 2 to 3 hours. You should consider this limit as the minimum because the more, the better.
Although there are various reasons, the most common is that pets are too curious, especially if they are smelling something new. They will tend to put their nose in every corner and curve to know what has been changed. During this practice, pesticides can get inside their body especially if they are wet.
It is recommended to never let your pest go out until you are sure that all of the pesticides have been dried off completely and there are not even its residues left behind. Not just pets, various experts recommend even keeping the pets’ food, toys, and accessories away from the area where pest control has been applied.
What kinds of pests are harmful to pets?
The extent to which pests can harm your pets varies depending on their species and breeds. Some are just common while others can even cause serious diseases. The most prominent diseases caused by pests that are commonly found in pets include Rabies, Parvo, Lyme Disease, Heartworm, and many other parasites. Most harmful pests for your pets are listed as:
- Raccoons
- Fleas
- Mice
- Stink Bugs
- Ants
- Ticks
- Rats
- Mosquitoes
- Boxelder Bugs
- Cockroaches
- Snakes
- Venomous Bees
- Caterpillars
- Rodents
- Venomous Spiders
Dr Philip G Cox currently is a professor in Physiology in the Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences which is part of the Hull York Medical School and the Department of Archaeology at the University of York. Dr Philip G Cox studied comparative mammalian functional morphology for the PhD in the University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge.