It’s no secret that roaches love dog food. They’ll go to great lengths to get to it – even if that means climbing up the side of your cupboard or fridge. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to keep them away from your pup’s dinner. So keep reading for tips on how to keep roaches out of dog food!
Cockroaches are a common pest that can be found in many homes. Unfortunately, they often congregate around food sources, and pet food is a beautiful item for them. If you have roaches in your home, it’s essential to take steps to keep them away from your dog’s food bowl. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Contents
Why Does Your Dog Food Have Cockroaches?
Roach allergens cause several human reactions, from skin irritation to asthma and other respiratory problems. The top 5 cockroach allergens are Bla g 2, Per a 1, Per a 2, Ro a 1, and Ro a 34. In addition, roaches leave behind droppings which can trigger allergies in some individuals. Try using the best roach killer bait if you want to know how to get rid of cockroaches fast.
According to a study from the University of North Carolina, insecticide residues from roach droppings can also cause allergic reactions. The effects of roach allergens can be severe for asthma and other respiratory conditions. In addition, cockroach droppings dust can become airborne and react with sunlight or water vapor to create disinfection byproducts (DBPs).
A Step by Step Guide on How to Keep Roaches Away From Dog Food
Step 1: Determine the Problem
The first step to keeping roaches away from dog food is to figure out if there is a problem. The most common signs of a roach infestation are seeing them crawling on the floor, counters, cabinets, and walls near dog food or your pet’s dishes. If you see tiny black droppings around these areas as well, the roaches have likely been eating your dog’s food.
If your dog food is stored in a plastic container, there’s likely a problem with roaches. If the food is stored in an open bin or bag, there may not be a problem. Wherever the dog food is located, figuring out whether or not there’s a roach issue going on is important.
Step 2: Cleanliness is Next to Doggie-ness
Many dog owners think that there is no roach problem because they do not see the pests themselves. However, it may be that their food is not protected or that there is too much food in one area. Either way, keeping your pet’s dishes clean is one way to keep roaches away from dog food.
If you notice any residue on the sides of the dish itself, use soap and water to scrub off any leftover particles.
Avoid using scented soaps or cleaners, though, because this could make its way into your pooch’s mouth! Also, make sure you rinse off all remnants entirely before letting your dog eat out of it again. The same applies to where your dog’s food is stored. If you’re using a plastic bin, make sure you clean it thoroughly regularly to avoid any leftover gunk.
Step 3: Clean House
At this point, you may have seen a cockroach or signs of one. Whether or not you’re sure they’re eating your pet’s food is another story entirely. If so, it’s best to take steps to clean up the area and eliminate their access as much as possible. You can start with cleaning around where your pet eats by washing these dishes every day and then storing them in cabinets or drawers afterward.
Make sure there aren’t any food particles sitting out on counters either because these are the perfect snack bars for those pesky pests! For those who suspect that a roach infestation may be going on somewhere else in the house, try wearing gloves and using a cotton swab or cotton ball to rub some rubbing alcohol on the spot. This will disinfect the area and hopefully keep them from coming back. This is a crucial step in how to keep roaches away from dog food.
Step 4: Bay Leaves to the Rescue
One of the best herbs for dealing with cockroaches is bay leaves. They naturally repel them, so all you have to do is put some bay leaves around where the dog food is stored and near any areas where there may be a problem. If you see a roach, quickly pick it up and drop it into a bucket of soapy water so that it doesn’t return once you leave the room or house.
Step 5: Peppermint Oil Hows its Magic
If there’s one thing that all types of insects hate, it’s peppermint oil. So, if you have an infestation on your hands, take a bottle of this magical liquid and pour some around where the dog food is stored. Not only will it repel the roaches, but it will also leave behind a fresh scent.
Plus, there are so many incredible ways to use peppermint oil for other things around your house too! If you’re not sure how many drops of peppermint oil to use, try taking a small bowl and adding around 5-6 drops of it. Then, take a cotton ball or swab and place it at the bottom of the bowl before setting it next to the dog food container. The roaches will be able to smell this from a mile away and definitely won’t want to walk through it!
Step 6: Mint Or Lavender Leaves Are Your Friends
Using mint or lavender leaves is another great way to repel roaches naturally. If you have mint growing in your garden, this is an excellent option! Just take some of these leaves and spread them around where the dog food is stored to prevent anything from getting at it. You can also place a few drops of peppermint oil onto the leaves before setting them down if you want to ensure that they stay there longer.
Dried ones will work just fine for those who don’t have access to fresh plants. Again, place a few around where the dog food is stored or even try taping some underneath cabinets or other areas that are hard to reach with pests. These steps will help in how to keep roaches away from dog food.
You can check it to Get Dog to Drink Water After Surgery
What if Your Dog Eats a Cockroach?
Roaches are associated with dirtiness, disease, and insect allergies. However, many people don’t realize that these insects can pose a health threat to their pets. Dogs that eat roaches run the risk of contracting diseases directly from the cockroaches, as well as becoming mildly ill when they ingest allergens found in cockroach feces and dead bodies.
Your Dog Can Get Sick If your dog eats even one cockroach, there’s a chance he could become ill. However, not all dogs who ingest roaches develop symptoms of illness after eating them. How often or how severe your dog reacts depends on his allergy level and overall health. This may result in signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, and changes in the frequency of bowel movements.
Your Dog Can Get Allergies A roach’s body can cause an allergic reaction that leads to skin lesions similar to those seen with atopic dermatitis (skin disorder). If your dog is more prone to allergies, this is a more common reaction.
While not all dogs eating roaches will be allergic to them, it’s worth mentioning as a possibility if your pup has allergies and starts developing new lesions on his skin or digestive symptoms after eating cockroaches. Your Dog Can Get Salmonella Dogs can also contract salmonella bacteria from eating cockroaches. Although it’s more likely he’ll get sick from eating feces than actual live bugs; it is still possible.
What Should You Do With Dog Food Infested With Roaches?
Roaches are icky little creatures that most people would do anything to get rid of. Unfortunately, once they invade a home, it’s nearly impossible to keep them out. So how can you tell if your dog food has been infested with roach droppings? Not only does the food look dirty and feel sticky, but there is also a distinctive smell that comes from insect excrement.
If you know what to look for, you will be able to detect a roach infestation in your dog food very quickly. For those who don’t want to take the time to learn this skill, it is best not to use the product because even if there aren’t any bugs in it now, they might be hiding in the package or storage container. The second step is to identify the source of the roach infestation. If you’re buying your dog food from a store, it might be time to switch brands or even stores. Roaches can be difficult to control and eliminate, so finding a new brand or source might be necessary.
If a dog food is contaminated with roach droppings, you might be tempted to throw it out. This would be a big mistake because your dog still needs this food, and it is too expensive an item to toss in the garbage.
The easiest way is to seal up all of your pet’s supplies, so they are not accessible to any insects. Keeping them inside air-tight containers will also prevent any pests from sneaking into your dog’s bedding or toys. If you want something simpler, dump all of his food into a new storage container before giving it back to him.
Conclusion
There are a few ways you can keep roaches away from dog food. One way is to use Borax for deterring them by sprinkling some on the floor of your pantry or underneath cabinets where they may lurk. You can also put it in areas near entryways that might be more susceptible to infestation, such as cracks along baseboards and gaps under doors. We hope you have learned how to keep roaches away from dog food. If these methods don’t work for you, consider getting professional help with pest control services!
