Pet Safe Pest Control for the House and Garden

There are many reasons to keep pests away from your family, but the fact that some have the potential to carry and spread diseases tops the list.

While you certainly want to maintain a pest-free house and garden, the idea of pet safe pest control might seem impossible. After all, for a product to cause harm to one species, isn’t it fair to assume that it could negatively affect your pet? 

How It Works

Many pet owners may be applying pest control techniques without an eye on how their pet could be impacted. In fact, many people spray for pests, lay traps, or sprinkle bait in areas that could be easily accessed by an animal. 

Before you hire a company to treat your house, yard and garden for insects, rodents, and other pests, be sure that their products won’t harm your pet if they’re ever exposed. Most applications are considered safe after liquid applications dry, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution.

Safe, Not Sorry

Pesticides sprayed on wide swaths of lawn should dry completely before your cat or dog romps around on it. The label on your pet safe pest control product will indicate when it is safe for pets to roam freely, but can be as long as 1-2 days. 

If you know or suspect that your pet walked on an area recently sprayed, be sure to wash and dry their paws, legs, belly, and neck for any possible traces. 

Environmentally Safe

It stands to reason that products labelled “environmentally safe” or “friendly” may also be petsafe pest control. However, we recommend only using products that explicitly say they are safe for use on lawns, gardens, or inside houses shared by pets. 

Always read the label carefully before you apply it around your home. Never use products in areas that your pet frequents, pick up any food or water bowls, bedding and toys from the ground. Be sure that your pet is safely inside the home when you spray. Store bottles or packages behind cabinet stores.

DIY Pet Safe Pest Control

Composting has long been heralded as an important component of organic gardening. Adding rich composted soil with worms can potentially reduce the need for pesticides in the yard and garden. Plants also need beneficial bugs in the soil, which are unfortunately killed off when pesticides are used.

Additionally, there are organic pesticides that can take care of leaf-eating caterpillars, mosquitos, beetles and more. Bacillus thuringiensis can boost the health of trees, shrubs, lawns, vegetables and flowering plants in either powder form or when diluted with water and sprayed directly.

A Beautiful Season

This is the time that you and your pet should be enjoying every minute together on the back deck or patio. Don’t let the bugs keep you inside, but be sure to only use pet safe pest control products.
If you have further questions about keeping your pet safe from bugs, please let us know. We’re always here for you at Arlington Animal Hospital.