No one wants to see their pets hurting or having their health compromised because of mistakes or reasons that can be prevented. The use of chemicals or any other ways to get rid of annoying ants can, at times, result in hurting our pets.
The reason why that happens is that people are not keen on using safe ways of getting rid of ants without inuring pets. In this article, we inform you about all the possible safe ways you need to be using at all times when killings ants in your house.
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Safe Ways to get rid of ants if you have pets
Since ants can be a great challenge to get rid of them, if you have pets in your house, here are the approaches we have identified that you can apply to do it, without completely affecting the pets.
#1 Application of Terro
When you mix sugar, water, and borax, the resultant is what is known as Terro. This mixture will be very sticky, therefore, when you sprinkle it over the disturbing ants, it will kill them. In particular, what you need to do is make the mixture and sprinkle the drops on the trail of the ants.
After doing so, it might take 12 to 48 hours, but once the sticky mixture has been taken by the ants to their nest or anthill, the ants will eat it and be killed instantly. Terro is absolutely safe for your pets, so you do not have to worry about your dogs or cats, after sprinkling it on the ant trails in your house.
#2 The use of Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil is usually extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, meaning you can make it yourself if you have these trees. However, if you do not have the trees or rather want an already made oil, you can get it from your nearest authorized stores.
Once you have acquired the oil, just spray it on the disturbing ants. The ants will be exterminated, and others will be expelled away from your house. The oil is absolutely safe for your pets, but for ants, it is something that they dislike so much.
#3 Use Cornmeal
This is the most common and safe method of killing ants without harming the pets at home. It is also very easy to apply. All you need to do when applying it is to add the cornmeal around the nests or anthills.
However, ensure that you see ants in these areas, because, at times, the ants might have moved to another location within your house.
Once you have applied the cornmeal, the ants will eat it, and since they cannot digest it properly, it will expand their stomachs resulting in their demise.
Keep using the cornmeal for as long as possible so that all the ants are eliminated from your house.
#4 Vinegar and water mixture solution
Using the ration of 1:3 mix vinegar and water. Vinegar can be obtained from any store near you if you do not have it at home.
Once you have made the mixture, put it in your spray bottle and spray directly at the ants or in their hiding places including the anthills.
Generally, the ants are deterred and killed by vinegar. So, you will have accomplished your mission of eliminating them from your house. And, it is safe for your dogs and cats; it cannot harm them whatsoever.
#5 Using Mint
This is a natural and environment-friendly form of eradicating ants without harming pets. You simply need to plant or grow mint in your orchard.
The sweet and lovely fragrance by the mints is a strong repellant of the ants. They will avoid coming to your garden as long as they smell the presence of mint.
Pesticides for ants that are safe for pets
Having looked at some of the safest ways of getting rid of ants without harming pets, it will be necessary that you also know of the various pesticides that you can use without worrying about your pets.
However, note that some of the pesticides have to be used together with other agents to lower their effects of pets, so when buying any of them, make sure you read the safety leaflet before applying it.
#1. Talstar professional insecticide
When applying this pesticide, you are required to wear protective gear such as masks and gloves. To apply effectively, you need a sprayer, but first using the instructions on the label, prepare the mixture solution well.
Before you apply, it is recommended that you keep the pets away until it dries. Once it has dried, it is very safe for your pets. It may be unsafe when wet. Certainly, it can appear to be an unsafe way of killing ants, but it is effective and quick.
Also, the fact that it can be diluted makes it cheaper. Note, the use of this pesticide is always very safe for your cats and dogs as long as you adhere to the safety measures.
#2. Optigard ant bait gel
This is the best safest pet, ant-killer insecticide. Usually, it comes in a gel form to attract and exterminate sweet ingesting ants.
Once the ants have eaten or fed on this poison, they will also carry it to their nests, and after some time of eating, they will all be killed.
When applying the Optigard Ant Bait Gel read the precaution leaflet so that you do not use this approach in the wrong way and end up getting poor results in the extermination exercise.
Everyone wants to get rid of irritating ants from our houses, but that can only be attained if the means or insecticides we are using are applied appropriately.
References for pet-safe ant killers for the home
READ MORE: Is Borax Safe for Pets
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