A Practical Solution to Pest Infestation Problem for Household Pets, Journal of Entomological Research, Volume 45, Issue 4

Abstract:

A common issue for all owners of household pets is insect pests that enjoy the pet's food as much as the pet itself. This study seeks to identify solutions to this general problem by evaluating the efficacy of common household items as barriers to deter ants from infesting cat food. Fifteen products were evaluated for deterring the ants. Trials using boards with an array of the products were used to identify those successful in deterring the ants. Additionally, the effect of each of the successful items on the cat's appetite was assessed to identify any products that might reduce the cat's appetite. The experiments revealed that only three products were completely successful in deterring the ants in all trials: ground cinnamon, turmeric, and baby powder, of which the cinnamon and baby powder were observed to have less significant effects on the cat's appetite than the turmeric. Furthermore, all three of the products remained effective throughout seven days without reapplication. The findings in this study show that household products can be particularly useful to families who are traveling and leaving their cats alone at home, but they can also be used every day in place of artificial ant deterrents. Overall, this paper should serve as a guide for pet owners on how to better protect their pet's food from ant and other insect infestations using household products. This study should also serve as a foundation for additional research to be conducted regarding at-home pest control.

DOI: 10.5958/0974-4576.2021.00094.3