Pets are precious, and many treat them as a part of the family. In Oregon, pets can enjoy the warm and dry weather. Although such weather is suitable for your furry animals to have some fun-filled activities, it can also be the breeding season for most pests. In times like these, pet-safe pest control is important to ensure that your pets, home, and family remain pest-free.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home

As we always say, prevention is better than cure. These tips will surely keep your pets pest-free.

1. Seal Entry Points

Keep pests out of your property by removing their entry points. Seal cracks and holes in the walls and keep your doors closed as much as possible.

2. Maintain Cleanliness Indoors and Outdoors

Wash bedding, toys, and food bowls on a regular basis.

Make sure your home is clean and clutter-free to deter pests and make any pest infestations easy to spot. It is a good idea to vacuum frequently and wash linens on a regular basis.

Trim your lawn and garden regularly to prevent pests from breeding.

3. Maintain Good Pet Hygiene

Always seal your pet’s food in an airtight container to prevent pests from getting into them. Feed your pets inside, because any leftover food outside attracts pests.

Make sure to bathe your pets using products designed to kill parasites.

Groom your pets in spring and summer. This will not only keep them from getting bitten but will also keep them cool during the hottest time of the year.

To avoid exposure to mosquitoes, let your pets stay inside your homes at dawn or dusk.

4. Watch Out for Pest Infestation

Examine your pets after outdoor playtime or walks. Brush their coat to remove any dirt and insects.

Red skin parts, itching, or bite marks that appear on your pet can signal skin irritations. Always keep an eye out for these signs. In case your animal’s behavior changes, such as losing appetite or losing energy, take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Portland Pet-Safe Pest Control Products to Use at Home

The best way to protect your pets against these pests is to maintain effective pest control on your property. Easy, just apply chemicals that deter and kill these pests, right? Well, no.

Yes, they are effective, but the problem with using chemical substances that are available in the market is, they can also harm our pets. Not all pest products are safe and suited for pets. Some can even result in detrimental side effects or even death.

That is why we recommend looking for pet-safe pest control products. These products do the job of getting rid of pests while maintaining your pet’s health.

Here you go, the best pet-safe pest control products.

1. Diatomaceous earth (DE)
   Diatomaceous earth is used to eradicate bugs, cockroaches, ants, and fleas. Because the particles are so small, DE is generally safe to use around larger creatures, including your pets. It works by either injuring insects or drawing fluid out of their bodies. It’s very easy to use DE — just sprinkle it on pests’ spots or trails. Note that not all DE are the same. When using around children and pets, make sure to get the food-grade kind. DE can be effective after 24 hours, but more apparent results are noticeable after at least five days. The downside? Your place can get a bit messy with this pet-safe pest control powder around.
2. Flypaper
   This sticky paper is non-toxic and effective for catching flies or insects. Aside from getting rid of pests, flypaper is also great for identifying insects, allowing you to properly treat the problem. Remember to put sticky papers on top of your windows or anywhere out of reach, so pets cannot reach them.
3. Plants
   Some plants deter specific pests and are among the best pet-safe pest control measures around. Lavender and lemon balm work to keep mosquitoes at bay in flower and garden plots. Basil is used for controlling flies and oregano has carvacrol that naturally repels insects.
4. Citrus oil extracts
   Aside from being eco-friendly, citrus oil extracts are also very safe to use around people and pets. On the other hand, citrus oil extracts are highly lethal to insects like ants, roaches, bugs, fleas, and many others. Just mix a few drops of citrus oil extract with a cup of water and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the extract in your home and garden to keep these pests away. This pet-safe pest control ingredient helps keep homes smelling nice, too!

Keeping Pets Safe During Pest Control Procedures

Pets are just as vulnerable during a pest control treatment as humans. While some pest control treatments are considered safe for pets, others may prove to be harmful. Pets can end up consuming and breathing pesticides, which pose long-term effects that can be detrimental to them.

Consider these tips to keep your pets safe during pest control procedures.

• When discussing treatment options, make sure that the pest control company knows that you have pets in your home.
• If buying pest control products or pesticides, always check the label to make sure they are safe to use around pets. Apply pet-safe pest control products according to instructions.
• During a treatment procedure in your home by a Beaverton pest control company, it is best to keep your pets outdoors or contain them in untreated areas for at least two hours. Allow the treatment to dry completely before allowing the pets back inside.
• Cover fish tanks or bird cages to prevent harmful chemicals from entering through the air.
• Pets are likely to be attracted to pesticide baits that contain food ingredients. Place the baits in places where your pets cannot reach them.
• In case your pet is poisoned during a pest control procedure, immediately call your veterinarian. Inform your vet of the kind of product that your pet was exposed to.
• Get help from organic pest control specialists like Ant & Garden Organic Pest Control. We use pet-safe pest control ingredients that are both effective and guaranteed safe for both humans and fur babies. Plus, there’s nobody quite like us in eradicating pests in Oregon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Are natural pest control products effective in getting rid of pests?

Answer:  Yes. Natural remedies can help keep pests away from your home. These natural ways, such as using citrus oils and growing certain plants, can be a part of your preventive measures.

Question: Can my pets stay in the house during pest control treatment?

Answer: Keeping your pets safe during pest control treatments is our top priority. Your pets can stay inside the house, but for maximum protection, we recommend having them out of the way where products are directly sprayed on.

Question: When I use poison to kill mice, will the poison harm my cat if it gets it or eats the dead mice?

Answer: Cats generally do not eat dead mice, and the quantity of bait present in dead mice is usually not adequate to harm your pet. However, we recommend consulting your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has eaten a poisoned mouse.

Question: What will I do if my furry animals are badly infested by fleas?

Answer: You should bring your pets to the veterinarian for proper medication and treatment. To completely eradicate your flea problem inside the house and your yard, book an appointment with us for pet-safe pest control flushing treatments.

Question:  What will happen if my pet continuously licks any bite from pests such as spiders or rats?

Answer: Unfortunately, licking the infected, untreated part can be fatal to our pets. Contact your veterinarian for cleaning and treating the bite.

Question:  Should I take my pets outside the house when treatment is done?

Answer: Even though we use non-toxic, pet-safe pest control products, it is very important for you and your pets to stay outside after the treatment to ensure maximum protection and safety. We will advise about when you can enter the house again. If you have birds and reptiles, you can cover their cages and tanks securely.

Question:  When will I see pest control treatment results?

Answer: The results of the treatment are determined by certain factors: the type of pest, the size of the infestation, and the conditions that contribute to and affect it. Once we have thoroughly inspected your property and successfully applied the treatment, you’ll start seeing results in a reasonable time. For small pests, such as bugs, fleas, ants, and spiders, the results can be seen almost instantly. For larger ones, like rodents and roaches, it generally takes a few days to see apparent improvement.

Your Takeaway

The presence of pets in our homes helps us maintain a sweet disposition, a feeling of calmness, and a sense of responsibility. Our pets deserve to live healthy, longer lives, that is why we must take good care of them.

Certain home remedies may work for a limited period, and DIY pest control is now becoming more popular among homeowners, but truly effective treatment requires professionals. It is still best to hire pet-safe pest control experts like Ant & Garden Organic Pest Control in Beaverton to eliminate your pest problem for good. This will also save you time and effort as you battle with these pesky pests.

Keeping your home pest-free will help ensure pet safety for many years to come. No doubt that you will enjoy a comfortable and healthy home throughout the year together with your cherished pets!