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Choosing Mosquito Repellents & Yard Sprays That Are Pet Safe

Mosquitoes are small and often go by unnoticed. That is until the female is looking for blood and they fly by your ear. At this stage, you’ll hear the distinctive high-pitched whine. Of course, there is a good reason why mosquitoes whine, it’s simply the movement of their wings against the air.

The problem is that mosquitoes carry an array of diseases, most of which you really don’t want to catch. In short, if you have a mosquito issue then you need to learn more here about your local professionals and get some assistance resolving the issue.

Mosquitoes love warm weather, that’s why you see so many of them in the summer. Interestingly, it is only the female that bites, she needs your blood and the nutrients in it to feed her eggs. These are then laid in still water.

You can, and should, find out more about your local experts as they will help you protect your home against these small insects.

Of course, you can also use repellents and sprays to help keep the mosquitoes away or even kill them. However, if you have pets and/or children, you are going to want to choose products that aren’t harmful to either.

The Wrong Ingredient

The easiest way to choose a mosquito repellent or spray is to look at what active ingredients it is using. The active ingredient is the main chemical in the mix and it is an essential part of the spray eliminating or repelling the mosquitoes. However, if the active ingredient is any of the following, you’ll want to steer clear as they are harmful to pets and children:

  • DEET
  • Linalool and d-Limonene
  • Fenoxycarb
  • Methomyl
  • Disulfoton
  • Chlorpyrifos
  • Pyrethrin & Permethrin
  • Terbufos

These are the most commonly used chemicals in mosquito repellents and terminators. It doesn’t mean the list is conclusive, if you find one with a chemical not listed above it’s a good idea to check what it is before you buy.

If you are ever unsure about an ingredient you can simply check on the internet!

Check The Label

A pet and child-friendly mosquito control product should say so. This is why it is essential to read the label or any pamphlet that comes with your chosen product. It will tell you if it can be used in the same area as children and pets.

Whether it is safe around children or not, you should also read the instructions to ensure you are using the product properly.

Pesticides that are considered pet and child-friendly generally still have chemicals in. They are simply in lower quantities and may not be as effective as the ones that aren’t pet safe. You’ll have to decide which is additionally important to you or you’ll need to look at natural products.

Of course, it also helps to minimize the attractiveness of your home and yard by eliminating as much moisture as possible. If your home isn’t appealing the mosquitoes are likely to go elsewhere, then you don’t need the pesticides.

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