Looking for the top bug sprays that are pet-friendly?
Perfect! In this Pest Strategies guide you’ll learn:
- What a pet safe bug spray is and isn’t
- What “pet safe” actually means
- The different types of pet friendly bug sprays available
- The proper way to use pesticides around pets
And much more!
Ed has been working in the pest control industry for years helping 1,000's of homeowners navigate the world of insect and rodent management. He manages Pest Strategies now helping homeowners around the world!
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Top 5 Best Pet Safe Bug Sprays
Are you short on time or just want a quick answer?
什么宠物是安全的Bug Sprays?
Pet safe, or pet-safe, is a phrase that needs a bit of explanation.
Many substances such as Acetaminophen, caffeine, chocolate, DEET, Ibuprofen, lilies, Macadamia nuts, vitamin D, and more aretoxic to small animalssuch as dogs and cats.
Obviously, the items on that list aren’t normally regarded as toxic to people, yet they can be dangerous to your pets. Just as obviously, some of those products, in small amounts, won’t hurt your pets at all.
Read Also:What are the top natural bug sprays for babies?
The amount and concentration of a substance is often just as important as the substance itself. For example, too much water can be dangerous; it’s called drowning. The same logic holds true with “pet safe” pesticides.
Used in moderation or small doses, many “dangerous” ingredients can be safe around your pets.
The concentration also plays an important role in determining the safety of any given product. A little catnip will excite your cat and increase their activity because it’s a stimulant, but if it’s too concentrated itcan cause nausea and vomiting.
We’re going to look at the best bug sprays that can be safely used around your pets when the directions are followed. This may mean you’ll have to keep your pets away until it dries or just while you’re spraying.
What Are The Different Types of Pet Safe Bug Sprays?
There are two main types of bug sprays, those that use synthetic or man-made chemicals and those that use “natural” or organic chemicals. Either type can be safely used around pets if used properly.
Man-made chemicals would include such active ingredients asBifenthrin,Deltamethrin, andCypermethrin. All of these are variations of pyrethroids, a synthetic version of naturally occurring extracts found in chrysanthemum flowers.
Read Also:What are the top permethrin sprays?
They have low toxicity in humans when mixed and used correctly, and a corresponding low toxicity in small animals. They’re very toxic to birds and fish though, so if your pets are of those varieties, pyrethroids can be problematic.
Organic pesticidesare natural products like lime sulfur or soap. However, just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe. Strychnine and tobacco are natural but no one would argue that they’re safe.
D-Limonene, made from orange peels, and manyessential oils, are examples of natural bug killers and insect repellents that are also considered organic. Many of these also suffer from the requirement that they should be used sparingly around pets.
What Makes A Bug Spray Pet Friendly?
In this instance, a bug spray can be called pet friendly or pet safe if it dries quickly once it’s applied and then is safe for your pets. If it is still toxic to pets after it has dried, that wouldn’t be safe for your pets.
Read Also:What are the best pet safe sprays to kill roaches?
Although some of the organic sprays are undoubtedly safer than the synthetic ones, the mist or fumes can still be toxic if inhaled or if they get in your eyes or your pet’s eyes. For this reason, none of them should be used while your pets are in the area.
Treat the area, inside or out, wait until it is completely dry then let your pets back into it. In other words, the method of treatment is the determining factor in making it pet safe.
Are Regular Bug Sprays Unsafe For Dogs And Cats?
Some of the sprays we’re discussing here are regular bug sprays. Even the ones that use essential oils as the active ingredients are increasingly becoming regular sprays due to the increased public interest in “going green” or reducing the use of pesticides.
Our Reviews Of The Best Pet Friendly Bug Sprays
MDXconcepts Organic Home Pest Control Spray
This all-natural pesticide usesSodium Lauryl Sulfate, Peppermint Oil, Spearmint Oil, and Rosemary Oil as the active ingredients. It kills ants, cockroaches, earwigs, fleas, mites, scorpions, silverfish, spiders, and more. It comes in a 16-ounce spray bottle.
It kills pests quickly and safely, without any dangerous fumes or harsh chemicals that could endanger your pets. It’s also long-lasting and comes with a 100% 60-day money-back guarantee. The essential oils give it a fresh minty smell when you spray it.
Be advised, this is a pesticide, not a repellent. This bug spray will kill bugs that come in won’t keep them out of your house. It’s safe around your pets when used as directed.
The Good And The Bad
- Non-toxic
- Chemical-free
- It has a pleasant odor
- It’s effective on most bugs
- Safe around children and pets
- Can be used inside and outside
- It’s not a repellent
- May not work on large cockroaches
Terro Spider Killer Aerosol Spray
Contrary to its name, Terro Spider Killer kills a lot more than just spiders. It also kills bed bugs, spider mites, ants, cockroaches, scorpions, and more.
The active ingredients are Pyrethrins and Deltamethrin, both of which are broad-spectrum insecticides.
The advantage of an aerosol is that you don’t need to mix it in a pump-up sprayer. It’s ready to go as soon as you get it.
It’s also non-staining so you don’t have to worry if it gets on your furniture, drapes, or carpets and it’s safe for pets once it dries.
This pest control product is well-known and used by pest control professionals so you can use it with confidence yourself.
The one disadvantage to aerosols is that they run out quickly, requiring you to purchase more.
The Good And The Bad
- Easy to use
- Non-staining formula
- Safe for pets after drying
- A broad-spectrum pesticide
- Aerosols run out quickly
Bed Bug Killer by EcoRaider Travel
This pesticide has been USDA certified to be a bio-based product, meaning the EPA is satisfied it doesn’t contain any synthetic chemicals. The active ingredients are geranol, cedar wood oil, and sodium lauryl sulfate.
In addition to being safe for your pets and children, it is also considered non-toxic to fish and birds, a limitation affecting the use of most synthetic pesticides. Furthermore, it won’t leave stains on bedding or carpets.
Despite being sold as a bed bug killer, it works against a wide range of other insects as well. The limitation of essential oils is that they don’t last very long, seven to 14 days is about average.
The Good And The Bad
- Easy to use
- USDA certified
- Non-staining formula
- Safe for pets, children, fish, and birds
- 活动oils don’t last very long
Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer
Ortho is a well-known brand name. This pesticide kills aphids, caterpillars, centipedes, stink bugs, and more.
Because the active ingredients are Bifenthrin and Zeta-Cypermethrin it will “technically” kill termites too – in large enough quantities.
Bifenthrin was originally used in the United States to kill termites, but it requires 80-100 gallons for an average-sized house. Since then it has been tested and found effective on a wide range of other insects as well.
Ortho is designed for outdoor pest control and the gallon jug comes with an attached sprayer handle with an adjustable nozzle but it can be used inside as well. Keep your pets out of the area when you’re spraying and afterward until it’s dry.
The Good And The Bad
- Easy to use
- Designed for outdoor use
- 有一个附加包括喷雾触发
- It’s effective on a wide range of insects
- Keep pets out of the area until it’s dry
Raid Wasp & Hornet Killer Spray
Another well-known brand, Raid uses Bifenthrin and Cypermethrin as the active ingredients.
This pressurized aerosol shoots a stream of pesticide up to 22 feet to kill wasp and hornets from a safe distance. Keep your pets out of the area until it is dry.
这也杀死了泥涂抹工具和无掩饰的黄蜂on contact. Because of the active ingredients, it is a broad-spectrum insecticide that will kill many other types of insect infestation.
However, it’s use should be limited to the outside only.
It will kill crickets, earwigs, ants, beetles, spiders, stinkbugs, caterpillars, scorpions, silverfish, palmetto bugs, and so-called waterbugs. Like all aerosols, it’s easy to use too much too quickly.
The Good And The Bad
- Easy aerosol to use
- It sprays up to 22 feet
- A broad-spectrum insecticide
- Designed only for outdoor use
- Aerosols run out quickly
- Keep your pets away until it dries