Pet Friendly Pesticides?

jmcquown wrote:
I can't recall if I asked about this already. I don't know what the
woman who sprays Mom's house uses but it can't be good for pets. She
was here in April, spraying everywhere (even in closets!). Every few
days I find bug corpses. Seems like they die within hours of coming
inside. Whatever this stuff is it's still potent. If I didn't know
better I'd think DDT...

I told her then I'd be bringing Persia (and possibly Peaches) back with
me. I said I was very concerned about the pesticides she uses. She
seemed puzzled by this. Unlike the "tax woman" Mom was using, she does
do this for a living; it's not a sideline. Surely this isn't the first
time she's been asked about this by a pet owner?!

Based on the bug carcasses I keep finding (mostly small beetles, spiders
and the occasional disgusting Palmetto bug) not spraying isn't an
option. Doesn't seem just spraying around the doors and windows outside
would be sufficient, either, since she does that too and they still get
inside.

When I was back home UPS delivered a package. I have a sign on the door
of my apartment: "No spraying inside, I have a cat and a bird". The man
who delivered the package said, "Deciduous earth." Huh? He said pets
can roll around in it, even eat it, and it won't hurt them. Googling
nets a few old testimonials to this effect but no further information.
What is it? Where would I get it? Is it mixed with water and sprayed?
Can't have anything powdery sprinkled all over the place.

Most articles relating to pet friendly pesticides refer to lawns and
gardens, not indoor treatments. Any suggestions?

Jill
Jill, we've used orange oil mixed with water, which is similar to what
CatNipped recommended. I've also used cedar oil mixed with water and
both do an acceptable job for us. Then again, we're not too freaked out
by bugs but neither seemed to bother the cats at all.

--Kim

"jmcquown" wrote in message
. ..
MaryL -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote:
"jmcquown" wrote in message
. ..
I told her then I'd be bringing Persia (and possibly Peaches) back
with me. I said I was very concerned about the pesticides she uses.
She seemed puzzled by this.


I have an exterminator who comes every three months. I live in East
Texas, and bugs of all sorts and sizes really *thrive* here. The
exterminator I use is very careful. He uses pyrethroids inside the
house, and he does *not* simply spray it around. He dusts carefully
in crevices and areas that the cats cannot reach. He uses a more
potent insecticide outside -- around the doors and windows, as you
said, but also all around the perimeter of the house. I seldom see
an insect inside the house.
If the woman your mother has been using seemed "puzzled" by your
question, it's probably time to look around for someone else.
Professional exterminators have known about the need to be careful
around pets (and different preparations to use) for many years.

MaryL

Yeah, that threw me, too. She's not a young woman, she owns the business
and has for years. Thanks for your information!

Jill

I'd really be concerned that if it's not safe for my pets, it may not be so
safe for my elderly parent either.... I agree that maybe it's time to shop
around and find someone with some answers to your questions!

Sara

"Sara" wrote in message
...

"jmcquown" wrote in message
. ..
MaryL -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote:
"jmcquown" wrote in message
. ..
I told her then I'd be bringing Persia (and possibly Peaches)
back
with me. I said I was very concerned about the pesticides she
uses.
She seemed puzzled by this.


I have an exterminator who comes every three months. I live in
East
Texas, and bugs of all sorts and sizes really *thrive* here. The
exterminator I use is very careful. He uses pyrethroids inside
the
house, and he does *not* simply spray it around. He dusts
carefully
in crevices and areas that the cats cannot reach. He uses a more
potent insecticide outside -- around the doors and windows, as
you
said, but also all around the perimeter of the house. I seldom
see
an insect inside the house.
If the woman your mother has been using seemed "puzzled" by your
question, it's probably time to look around for someone else.
Professional exterminators have known about the need to be careful
around pets (and different preparations to use) for many years.

MaryL

Yeah, that threw me, too. She's not a young woman, she owns the
business and has for years. Thanks for your information!

Jill

I'd really be concerned that if it's not safe for my pets, it may
not be so safe for my elderly parent either.... I agree that maybe
it's time to shop around and find someone with some answers to your
questions!

Sara

It would worry me too. Now its very likely that the exterminator
isn't doing anything wrong. Lets face it, they get good training from
their suppliers if no one else. But it bothers me that she can't
explain the stuff she uses and why.

Jo

"Lucys Mom" wrote in message
...
jmcquown wrote:
I can't recall if I asked about this already. I don't know what the
woman who sprays Mom's house uses but it can't be good for pets. She was
here in April, spraying everywhere (even in closets!). Every few days I
find bug corpses. Seems like they die within hours of coming inside.
Whatever this stuff is it's still potent. If I didn't know better I'd
think DDT...

I told her then I'd be bringing Persia (and possibly Peaches) back with
me. I said I was very concerned about the pesticides she uses. She
seemed puzzled by this. Unlike the "tax woman" Mom was using, she does
do this for a living; it's not a sideline. Surely this isn't the first
time she's been asked about this by a pet owner?!

Based on the bug carcasses I keep finding (mostly small beetles, spiders
and the occasional disgusting Palmetto bug) not spraying isn't an option.
Doesn't seem just spraying around the doors and windows outside would be
sufficient, either, since she does that too and they still get inside.

When I was back home UPS delivered a package. I have a sign on the door
of my apartment: "No spraying inside, I have a cat and a bird". The man
who delivered the package said, "Deciduous earth." Huh? He said pets
can roll around in it, even eat it, and it won't hurt them. Googling
nets a few old testimonials to this effect but no further information.
What is it? Where would I get it? Is it mixed with water and sprayed?
Can't have anything powdery sprinkled all over the place.

Most articles relating to pet friendly pesticides refer to lawns and
gardens, not indoor treatments. Any suggestions?

Jill
Jill, we've used orange oil mixed with water, which is similar to what
CatNipped recommended. I've also used cedar oil mixed with water and both
do an acceptable job for us. Then again, we're not too freaked out by
bugs but neither seemed to bother the cats at all.

--Kim

LOL! We do have the occasional "Texas sized" cockroach that will come in
from under the crack in the garage door. They make *excellent* cat toys
except that the masters complain about them breaking too fast! ;

Nose Kisses,

CatNipped

On 2008-08-20, jmcquown wrote:

When I was back home UPS delivered a package. I have a sign on the door of
my apartment: "No spraying inside, I have a cat and a bird". The man who
delivered the package said, "Deciduous earth."

Diatomaceous earth probably. I don't know how effective it is, but it
won't hurt pets.

Bud