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What ant repellents can be safely used?

post #1 of 13
6/4/10 at 12:56pm
Thread Starter 
Does anyone have suggestions for ant repellents that are used safely around cats? I have a severe ant problem...outside the apartment and coming into my kitchen. I want to use something that is absolutely harmless if my cat is near it...any suggstions? Thank you.
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post #2 of 13
6/4/10 at 1:12pm
You can use barrier sprays outside that last 3-6 months when dry. They're supposedly pet safe after drying, though I haven't put that to the test.

Inside you're pretty much stuck with using food grade diatomaceous earth. Though you can use some bait traps if you can keep them away from your cats entirely (ie, locked cabinets, behind drawers).
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post #3 of 13
6/4/10 at 1:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by strange_wings View Post
You can use barrier sprays outside that last 3-6 months when dry. They're supposedly pet safe after drying, though I haven't put that to the test.
I was having a problem with ants about a month ago. I won't use pesticides inside because of the cats but I used an Ortho spray outside around the doors and windows and that did the trick. It took a few days before I saw the last of the stragglers but all is well now.

I've heard that salt works well too, but haven't tried it.
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post #4 of 13
6/4/10 at 1:30pm
Vinegar can sometimes deter ants, but it takes a lot, and my cat despises the smell. She growls now every time I bust out the vinegar spray bottle.

I recently tried Ortho Eco-Sense Indoor Insect Killer in my doorway/kitchen/porch area, as I had the same problem with ants, and it worked like a charm. It really does kill bugs on contact. It's supposed to be naturally-based, and claims to be safe for pets, though it does leave oily marks for a while and it has a strong smell when used in a confined space (my small kitchen!), so I would make sure the cat can't get to it until it's all cleaned up. I found the stuff at WallyWorld (Walmart) in the gardening/organic section, and it's not terribly priced. I think I paid $4.50 for one bottle.
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post #5 of 13
6/4/10 at 1:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by strange_wings View Post
You can use barrier sprays outside that last 3-6 months when dry. They're supposedly pet safe after drying, though I haven't put that to the test.

Inside you're pretty much stuck with using food grade diatomaceous earth. Though you can use some bait traps if you can keep them away from your cats entirely (ie, locked cabinets, behind drawers).
Thank you. I do have some of this food grade...do they actually have to carry it off...or just be near it? I'm not sure what it does...
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post #6 of 13
6/4/10 at 1:57pm
Food grade diatomaceous earth will work both inside and outside your home. My sister used it on her outdoor patio (her dog walked over the patio) and it killed the ants without any harm to her dog.

The stuff works wonders. If you buy it, make sure it is food grade.
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post #7 of 13
6/4/10 at 1:59pm
Cinnamon is also a great bug repellent, I use some around all my doors and windows and then I hide the ant traps under the stove, fridge, and kitchen sink where my kitty can't get to them.
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post #8 of 13
6/4/10 at 2:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hannahgirl View Post
Thank you. I do have some of this food grade...I'm not sure if they are taking it...am I supposed to mix it with something that makes it more tempting to them?
No, they don't have to ingest it, just come in contact with it. It works my 'cutting' their body and dehydrating them. The GF DE is a very absorbent porous material.
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post #9 of 13
6/4/10 at 2:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by railNtrailcwgrl View Post
No, they don't have to ingest it, just come in contact with it. It works my 'cutting' their body and dehydrating them. The GF DE is a very absorbent porous material.
Thank you, everyone for your suggestions. These are all great suggestions. Cinnamon is definitely something I could try to, and I have some already. I was a bit discouraged because I put the DE out yesterday and still saw ants today, so I thought it wasn't working. Now I realize it takes time....and I am just looking at the ants that haven't died yet...

The ants were coming into the apartment right near the litter box...so I had to use something safe. Thanks again, everyone!!!
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post #10 of 13
6/4/10 at 2:20pm
Orange oil will kill ants and is safe for your kitties. Just dilute an ounce in a 32oz spray bottle, shake, and start spraying. Plus, it smells nice. I've also used Simple Green (the green cleaner) successfully as an ant repellant with no harm to my kitties.
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post #11 of 13
6/4/10 at 3:46pm
I have ant traps on the computer desk(both are under a stack of papers so the cats can't get to them(and one near the doorway is hidden under 2 rugs.)

My cats don't get on the computer desk much so I know they won't be harmed by them not to mention they are under papers so they would have a really hard time getting to them. The one that is by the entrance as I said is under 2 rugs so they can't dig it up.

Now if it was more widespread I wouldn't be using poison obviously but in my case it was at their entry and they were only on the computer desk.

Taryn
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post #12 of 13
6/5/10 at 1:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hannahgirl View Post
I was a bit discouraged because I put the DE out yesterday and still saw ants today, so I thought it wasn't working. Now I realize it takes time....
I hope it solves the problem. Please let us know the total time it took. Good luck.
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post #13 of 13
6/20/10 at 8:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iambic View Post
Vinegar can sometimes deter ants, but it takes a lot, and my cat despises the smell. She growls now every time I bust out the vinegar spray bottle.

I recently tried Ortho Eco-Sense Indoor Insect Killer in my doorway/kitchen/porch area, as I had the same problem with ants, and it worked like a charm. It really does kill bugs on contact. It's supposed to be naturally-based, and claims to be safe for pets, though it does leave oily marks for a while and it has a strong smell when used in a confined space (my small kitchen!), so I would make sure the cat can't get to it until it's all cleaned up. I found the stuff at WallyWorld (Walmart) in the gardening/organic section, and it's not terribly priced. I think I paid $4.50 for one bottle.
I'd never heard of this Ortho Eco-Sense but just Googled it and it looks like it's worth a try, definitely claims to be all natural, made from soybean oil. Thanks! Where did you buy it?
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