Are Natural Insecticides Safe Around Pets?
This is a common concern amongst eco-conscious pet owners. The majority of natural insecticides are safe for use around household pets. There are a few exceptions however and need to be kept in mind when you use certain natural insecticides around your home and in your yard.
One of the reasons people choose natural insecticides in favor of synthetic insecticides is because it is safer for use around children and pets. Natural insecticides normally do not affect wildlife and water supplies. And although it is good idea to still use precautions while applying natural insecticides and to use them discriminatively in their application, natural insecticides in general are milder and tend to oxidize and dissipate faster within the soil and off of the plant, compared to synthetic insecticides.
There are many of the natural insecticides that you use in your yard, that are also safe for use for your pets for flea removal and repellent. However I think we should talk about the ones that are dangerous and should not be used first. Often pet owners are lulled in by a false sense of security solely because of the term natural insecticide. There are certain types of natural insecticides that can be harmful to your pet.
Nicotine, is often used as a natural insecticide, and can be made into a garden tea as a means for insect control. Nicotine is toxic to all warm-blooded animals. While applying it within your garden caution should be used during its application and it is good idea to keep children and pets away until it has dried and has been fully absorbed. Garden teas are a higher concentration generally because they are steep for a long period of time.
Citrus oils, I'm mentioning them here solely because citrus oils are toxic to cats. Cats are more sensitive, and there are reports of some adverse side effects. It is best to avoid using citrus oil to kill fleas on your cat even if it is diluted. Although with dogs in its diluted form this does not seem to be a problem.
Pennyroyal oil, which is in many commercially prepared natural insecticides has been found to cause liver damage and can be fatal for cats. Pennyroyal is used in flea control, but I would suggest you choose another alternative for your cat.
Often you can find commercially prepared natural insecticides that are safe to use on animals to kill fleas although since you didn't prepare it could be too strong for your pet. As with any natural insecticide it is still important to use caution and care in its handling and use, it is still an insecticide even though it is natural, less is more.
Preparing your own natural insecticide in order to kill fleas on your pets, not only allows you to adjust its strength, they will save you a lot of money as well. Making your own flea rinse or dip, is relatively easy and doesn't take much time.
You can make a simple herbal flea powder by using eucalyptus leaves, rosemary, and fennel. You take the dried leaves and grind them into a fine powder and apply as you would any other type of flea powder and use the same precautions. The majority of cats will not allow you to give them a rinse, at least none of mine ever would. But they will allow me to apply the powder and give them a brush. I have made a tea out of this mixture and diluted it with 1 cup of water and 1 cup of witch hazel to make a spritzer, which I then would apply to my dogs and then rub it into their coat.
For the eco-conscious pet owner there are many alternatives to harsh chemicals within your yard, garden, and on your pets. Natural insecticides are over all a safer alternative for everyone including your pet. Often natural insecticides are just as effective, and a safer alternative.
