Common Pet Pests and the Issues They Cause

Having pets can be a blast, but it can also add stress when it comes to maintaining a safe home. Pets have a knack for getting into trouble, and you certainly don’t want your beloved family pet having a showdown with venomous animals or bugs. Knowing what pests to look out for can help you nip an infestation in the bud and protect your pets. Luckily, our Greenix service pros have tips about the common pests to watch out for around your pets.

Venomous Bugs and Pests To Watch Out For

Although more extreme than some of the most common pest threats for your pets, venomous bugs and pests can attack and directly harm or even kill your pets, so they are a huge concern for pet owners. Since these pests are generally dangerous, you’ll want to keep an eye out for them for yourself, too.

For those living in the Southwest, you’ll want to make sure your pets stay away from scorpions. Although many won’t necessarily kill your pet, they can cause serious pain. Similarly, make sure to keep your pets away from venomous Gila monsters. These lizards can be hard to remove from pets and are venomous.

Venomous snakes are also a huge threat to both pets and people, so make sure to get them away as soon as possible. Species to watch out for include copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes. 

There are a few common bugs that are also venomous and can hurt your pet. These bugs include large centipedes, black widow spiders, brown spiders, ants, wasps, bees, assassin bugs, and more. Although bites from some of these venomous bugs are not necessarily lethal to most (especially larger) pets, you’ll want to try and pay special attention to getting them out of your space to try and protect your pets from discomfort and complications. 

Poisonous Bugs and Pests

In addition to threats from venomous insects, there is some risk that pets could be poisoned from eating certain pests. In terms of poisonous-to-ingest bugs, you’ll want to keep your pets away from grabbing a bite of stink bugs, giant toads, bombardier beetles, Asian lady beetles, millipedes, blister beetles, fireflies, walking sticks, and more. Even caterpillars can contain toxins! Again, if your pet does happen to eat one of these bugs, you may not have to fear the absolute worst, but they may be in for some unpleasant symptoms. You’ll want to talk to a veterinarian.

While you’re worried about pests your pet might consume, you’ll also want to add any rodents or other pests that might have been exposed to toxins on the list. This includes poisoned rats or mice that might be in your home or yard. Of course, you’ll want to try and avoid letting your pets eat poisonous pests when you see them, but you should also avoid using toxic substances to eliminate pests when pets are in the house. Pest control professionals can help point you to the best pet-friendly pest solutions for your situation. 

How To Identify Poisonous Bugs and Pests 

The best way to identify venomous and poisonous pests is to familiarize yourself with the pests in your area and note any that are specifically dangerous. Generally, however, you can also keep an eye out for brightly colored bugs—bright reds, yellows, and oranges, especially when combined with black, often indicate that a bug is dangerous. 

Other Pests That Harm Pets

Outside of the dangerously venomous or poisonous bugs that could hurt your pet, there are plenty of other bugs that can cause health issues. Ticks, fleas, bedbugs, mosquitoes, botflies, nonvenomous spiders, and other pests can pose a health threat to your pets, too. Plus, pets can attract these bugs, especially ticks and fleas, and bring them into your home. 

To help protect your pets from illness, you’ll also want to watch out for disease-carrying wildlife, including bats, skunks, and rats, and do your best to keep them away from your pets. Keeping your pet up to date on vaccinations can help you limit the risk of your pets getting diseases, including rabies, from these animals, but you’ll also want to make sure you have a pest control plan to prevent rodents from making their way indoors. You might even benefit from specialty plans such as interior rodent services to address any potential risks before they become an active threat. 

Get Pest Control for Pets With Greenix

Worried that you have dangerous pests around your home? The team at Greenix can help you not only remove and prevent these pests but has the tools needed to do so in a way that is safe and effective for your entire family, including your pets. Connect with our service professionals today to schedule a free inspection and get back to pest free living with your pets and family in no time!