Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Getting Started

Pet-safe pest control: This genius technique will get rid of pesky ants

Home remedies for pest control that are safe for the fur babies

Mary Johnson
By
Ants crawling across wild mushroom caps.
Puckel/Pixabay

The warm weather, the long days, the fresh blooms decorating trees and bushes — all things that call to creepy crawlies… 

Wait, what?

Recommended Videos

OK, so we don’t love everything about this time of year. Whether you have seasonal allergies or an ant infestation, the warmer weather and sweetly scented flowers can wreak havoc on your sinuses, not to mention your home. Fortunately, a thorough cleaning can help reduce allergens in your home, refresh your space, and get rid of the nasty pests invading your property. But if you’re a pet parent, you’ll want to use pet-safe pest control products to ensure that your efforts at eradicating unwelcome insect guests won’t make your fur baby seriously ill — or worse. 

Here’s everything you need to know about getting rid of ants without harming your pets. Sorry, but we can’t help you with your seasonal allergies. Or can we? Both you and your pooch might try Benadryl, which is usually safe for most dogs. (You should speak to your vet first, though.)

Black ant macro image
fotosforyou_rk/Pixabay

What pest control products will hurt my pet? 

Whether you prefer to use traps, bait, sprays, or pellets to battle the invading horde of insects, many pest control products contain harmful chemicals that can make your pet seriously ill. In some cases, ingestion of these ingredients might even turn out to be fatal to your fur baby. According to pest control experts, some of the worst offenders are:

  • Acephate
  • Amitraz
  • Diazinon
  • Fonofos
  • Malathion

Instead, opt for pest control products that use chemicals, such as acetamiprid, imidacloprid, and lufenuron to treat infestations. We recommend contacting your veterinarian to discuss the best solution for your pet. If possible, try to board your pets while you treat your home and lawn. Although pesticides like imidacloprid are safer for those with pets to use than other chemicals, exposure can still be harmful to your beloved fur babies.

Red ants crawling on a tree limb.
Biswarup Chattopadhyay/Shutterstock

How do I get rid of ants safely? 

According to Dr. Karen Louis of Metro-East Home Vet Care, ivermectin, a common heartworm preventative, often administered to millions of cats and dogs every month, doubles as an ant-killing agent. But is ivermectin safe to use around pets? Dr. Louis says she would be more concerned with the packaging causing an intestinal blockage than she would be worried about her dog ingesting the drug itself. Sounds good to us. 

Red ants crawling on a fallen leaf.
ArtTower/Pixabay

Home remedies proven to kill ants

While numerous pet-friendly products are sold in stores, they still contain chemicals that could make your pet sick. If you’re looking for an all-natural way to get rid of the creepy crawlies in your house, we have some good news. We’ve found oodles of pet-safe solutions you can use to get rid of the ant army without harming your furry family members. Let’s take a look at some of your options, so you can choose the best pest control solution for your home.

Cinnamon

This wonderfully fragranced spice smells amazing to us humans, but not to ants. In fact, inhaling cinnamon causes ants to suffocate, making it an inexpensive, effective way of getting rid of the ants in your home. Best of all, cinnamon — and cinnamon oil — are both relatively safe for use around cats and dogs. Just make sure your fur baby doesn’t eat too much, as it may cause irritation.

Diatomaceous earth

If you’ve ever used store-bought ant killer, you might have noticed one of the ingredients used is diatomaceous earth. Composed mainly of silica, alumina, and iron oxide, diatomaceous earth is also packed full of diatoms, which are fossilized aquatic organisms. Sprinkling the powder directly on top of visible ants dehydrates and kills them. You should also apply a line of diatomaceous earth in front of your doors and baseboards, preventing more ants from making their way inside. While diatomaceous earth is considered safe to use around pets, we recommend sticking with a brand that’s considered food grade, just to be extra cautious with your fur baby’s health.

Dish soap

What if we told you that you don’t need to spend a single penny to get rid of the ants invading your home? Although it probably sounds too good to be true, even pest control experts say this no-cost solution works every time. Combine six ounces of dish soap with three ounces of hot water in a spray bottle. Give the mixture a good shake and spray those pesky pests. This method works in two ways: The hot water burns the ants, while the dish soap forces water down their airways and suffocates them. Best of all, everyone has dish soap, a spray bottle, and hot water.  As a bonus, dish soap is also an effective way of killing fleas and ticks. 

A shepherd dog lies on the floor of a boarding kennel
Bussakorn Ewesakul/Shutterstock

Can my pets stay at home while I get rid of ants?

With many traditional pest control services, boarding your pets during treatment is strongly recommended, if not essential. Although some pest control companies use pet-safe ingredients and claim it’s safe for your pets to remain in the home, our at-home methods are perfectly safe for use around pets. However, if your fur babies are intensely curious, we recommend moving them to an area of the home where you aren’t treating for pests, if possible.

If the thought of using potentially dangerous pest control products around your pets makes you balk, never fear. Look for veterinarian-recommended ant killers (make sure to read the ingredients carefully), or opt for natural alternatives. While pet-friendly methods will kill the ants currently in your home and help repel them, keeping your home clean is the best way to prevent a future invasion. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
What fish can live with bettas? These are your best bets for fish buddies
Bettas can't live with one another so you should look to other species for friendship
Blue betta fish staring at the camera

Betta fish are known for being territorial, feisty, rather combative, and therefore not great tank mates in general. This reputation, however, only holds true in particular situations and with certain fish friends. Male betta fish are aggressive, but only with other male bettas, so it is important to never put two males in the same tank. It will lead to tail-nipping behavior and other aggressive actions. So, what fish can live with bettas?

Happily, there are several other fish that can keep your betta company in a safe and non-aggressive environment. Many colorful, friendly fish cohabitate well with bettas. This is our guide to finding the perfect fish companion (or companions) for your betta.

Read more
Meet the 5 newest dog breeds and what makes them so special
If you’re thinking of bringing home a new dog, consider one of these elusive breeds
A Bracco Italiano runs on the beach

Some dog owners (and fans of dogs) can name dozens of dog breeds like the back of their hands, but others can't even tell the difference between a dachshund and a Corgi breed. That's OK! As long as a dog owner knows how to take good care of their fur baby, they don't necessarily need to know the fun facts. At the same time, learning about different dog breeds can be valuable in certain situations, whether you like watching dog shows or are considering volunteering at a rescue.

Even if it's just for fun, there's a lot you'll want to know about the five newest dog breeds in the show universe. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is one of the largest dog breed registries in the world, and it oversees the standards and requirements for each new breed that's created. Since 2021, it has welcomed five new breeds to its ranks, and you may have even seen these dogs in a local or televised dog show (except for the newest breed, that is).

Read more
When do kittens open their eyes? This is what happens if they do it too early
Find out all you should know about kittens opening their eyes
Two people holding a tiny gray and white kitten whose eyes haven't opened yet

Is there anything more adorable than a kitten whose eyes haven't opened yet? That's debatable. Although scientists have found that puppies are marginally cuter than kittens, cat people strongly disagree. Whether you're a dog person or a lifelong cat aficionado, there's something about tiny kittens that tugs at the heartstrings.

Have you ever wondered, "When do kittens open their eyes? What happens if they open their eyes too early?" You're not alone. We're here with the scoop on what veterinarians have to say about when kittens first look at the world, why you should never force a kitten to open their eyes too early, and what happens if your newborn kitten's eyes open ahead of schedule.

Read more