How to get rid of ants outside safe for pets

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Need to know how to get rid of ants fast without harming Fido? We've got you covered.

Ants are absolute pests that can invade your home, wreaking havoc on your health and happiness. While there are plenty of poisons out there to kill ants in their tracks, most contain a cocktail of chemicals that are just as dreadful to your beloved pets. If you want to learn how to get rid of ants without harming your dog or cat, we’ve got you covered.

  • Start With Ant Prevention
  • Keep Ant Killer Away From Pets
  • Use Pet Safe Ant Killers

Start With Ant Prevention

The first step in learning how to get rid of ants, whether you have animals in your home, is don’t make your home attractive to the ants in the first place. That means keeping your kitchen cabinets and floors void of crumbs, which the workers ants seek out and bring back to their queen and her kin.

It can be hard to keep track of every tiny drop of food, though. So if you’re a cleaning machine and still come home to a kitchen swarming with ants, then you’ll want to learn how to bait the workers ants.

First identify the trail of workers—where they’re coming from and what food source they’re going to. Now, place ant bait stations along this trail. Not all bait is pet-friendly, however!

Keep Ant Killer Away From Pets

To be safe, the EPA suggests using low toxicity stations that won’t harm your pets. You can try Combat products, which are specifically designed to target ants while also having a low order of toxicity in animals including house pets. The insecticide mixture within the stations isn’t easily accessible to pets, but to be on the safe side, make sure the stations are placed behind appliances, in the back of cabinets, and generally out of reach from your curious critters. Don’t place the bait stations near your pet’s toys, food and water areas.

Use Pet Safe Ant Killers

A common ingredient in pet-safe ant killers is diatomaceous earth, which contains the fossilized remains of small aquatic organisms called diatoms. It looks like an off-white talc powder, with the main ingredient being silica. The FDA considers diatomaceous earth to be “generally recognized as safe.” Just be sure you choose a product labeled as “food-grade” when purchasing, as this means it’s gone through a purification process. You can also purchase diatomaceous earth alone.

For a minor infestation, soak a large absorbent sponge in sugar water. Place it near the ant trail and let it sit for a day. Wash off the dead ants, soak in more sugar water and place back near the trail until you no longer see any dead ants when squeezing out the sponge.

Ah, springtime — the warmer weather, the longer days, the fresh blooms decorating trees and bushes, the reemergence of creepy crawlies… 

Contents

  • What pest control products will hurt my pet? 
  • How do I get rid of ants safely? 
  • Home remedies proven to kill ants

Wait, what?

Okay, so we don’t love everything about springtime. Whether you have seasonal allergies or an ant infestation, the sudden return of warmer weather and sweetly scented flowers can wreak havoc on your sinuses, not to mention your home. Fortunately, a thorough spring 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.)

How to get rid of ants outside safe for pets

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. 

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. 

How to get rid of ants outside safe for pets

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.  

How to get rid of ants outside safe for pets

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. 

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What kills ants but safe for pets?

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.

How do I get rid of ants outside naturally?

Try some of these methods to get rid of ants outdoors..
Boiling water. Rake open the nest and pour in boiling water (add liquid soap for extra killing power). ... .
Vinegar. Mix equal parts vinegar and water. ... .
Water. Soak the nest for 15 to 30 minutes with water from a hose, saturating soil. ... .
Boric acid. ... .
Chemical ant killers..

How do I get rid of ants around my pet food?

The most effective ways include:.
Storing extra pet food in a lidded plastic container..
Vacuuming the area around your pet's bowl daily to keep it free of crumbs. ... .
Making a moat around your pet's food bowl. ... .
Keeping your home, particularly the pet feeding area, clean..

What kills ants instantly naturally?

White vinegar White vinegar, available at all grocery stores, is a cheap and effective way to kill and repel ants. It is also a natural cleaning agent. Try using a 1-to-1 vinegar/water mixture to clean hard surfaces, including floors and countertops, wherever ants are likely to travel.