Are Natural Insecticides Safe Around Pets?

July 28th, 2008

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.