Having ants invade your home is annoying, and often leads home owners to reach for the nearest can of ant poison. Unfortunately, these rudimentary methods can be downright harmful if you have pets, and you could end up with a much bigger problem. Read on to learn why trying to deal with ants yourself is a bad idea if you have pets and what you should do instead.

Fighting Ants Is Ineffective

The vast majority of methods homeowners have available to them to try and fight ants themselves are reactionary. This means that they only work once the ants are already inside your home, eating your food, and creating an unsightly mess. Ant sprays and traps both fall under this category.

Beyond that, however, most preventative methods available at stores for homeowners aren't very effective. Without the training that a professional pest professional receives, these methods may not work very well, even if the products themselves are effective.

Do-It-Yourself Methods Are Dangerous for Pets

Matters only become more complicated if you have pets in your home. Whether you have dogs, cats, or another species, pest repellent and poison can be deadly for pets.

These products can be accidentally consumed by pets in a variety of ways. For example, if you use a spray to disperse an active ant invasion, your pet could potentially end up walking through it and tracking it on their paws. Later on, they may consume some of it due to cleaning themselves.

Other products, like ant bait, can be consumed by pets, especially dogs. Sprays can also potentially be inhaled if your pet is anywhere in the area when you spray it.

If your pet accidentally imbibes any form of ant poison, you may have a costly veterinarian bill ahead of you, as well as your pet going through a long period of sickness.

Hiring a Professional

If you have ant problems and pets, hiring a professional is the best way to get your problem solved. In addition to having proper training and a full arsenal of effective methods of getting rid and preventing ants from getting into your home, it's also safer for your pets.

Pest professionals can spray under your home, in your attic, and between your walls. These are areas that are typically inaccessible to pets, meaning that you don't have to worry about your pets being exposed to something toxic.

If you have pets and are trying to get rid of the ants in your home, it's time to bring a professional in. They're more likely to get rid of the pests once and for all, without harming your precious pets in the process. Contact a company like Environmental Services Pest Control to learn more.