How to avoid Ants in the feed?
You must have noticed how organized ants are and how they have an incredible sense of smell for finding your furry baby’s food bowl, right?
Pet food is a real feast for these tiny creatures, and ants in pet food are a very common problem, which can lead to food contamination and bites on the animals’ skin.
It turns out that these insects have a very effective tracking system. Once an ant finds a food source, it will lay down a pheromone trail for other ants to follow.
But why does this happen and how can you avoid ants in your dog or cat’s food? Read this post to find out what to do when these insects want to steal your furry four-legged friends’ food.
Are ants in the food bad?
It is common to be afraid of cockroaches in food, but it is of little importance to ants, after all, they seem harmless. But don’t be fooled! They carry the most different types of viruses, fungi and bacteria, since they tend to scavenge for food in trash cans, sewers and unhygienic places.
For this reason, know that yes, ants in dog food, cat food or any pet that feeds on this food source can generate damage to animal health.
There are a few alternatives on what to do to keep ants out of your furry friend’s food. Learn about the most common methods and try a few until you find the perfect formula for you. Take a look:
Avoid leaving food in the feeder all the time
Put only the sufficient amount of food for the pet’s meal. To do this, it is important to define with your veterinarian the correct daily portions for your pet. This way, you can avoid old food remaining in the feeder and attracting ants.
In the case of cats, it is recommended that the food be divided at least five times a day, so that the cat only eats part of its food during the day.
Clean the feeder frequently
Remember to wash the food bowl daily, using products that are not toxic to animals. This way, you will prevent dirt or food scraps from sticking to the bowl, which tends to attract the attention of ants.
In the same way, hygiene the place where the pet eats and sleepssince he can also take leftovers to his bed or kennel. The same goes for the water bowl, which should always be clean and with fresh water.
Properly cleaning water and food bowls prevents ants and other insects from appearing.
Use water as a protective barrier
This is a simple method, even if it creates a bit of a mess if your pet messes with the bowl a lot when eating.
You will need two pots of different sizes. Pour water into the larger pot and place the feeder on top of it so that the liquid does not come into contact with the food, creating a barrier to protect it from the invasion of ants.
Important: Due to dengue fever, remember to clean the pot and change the water daily.
Use the soap barrier
Ants avoid walking on soapy areas, so if you take a bar of soap and draw a circle around the food bowl, go over it several times to make sure it forms a fairly thick barrier.
By doing this, you will definitely have positive results. How to get rid of ants in cat food and dog.
It is important to remember that the soap will come off after it rains or after a few days of exposure, and it will be necessary to redo the barrier. In addition, make sure that your pet does not get into the habit of licking the soap.
Test the chalk barrier
The method is the same as that used for soap, but using common chalk. Simply create a thick barrier around it, preventing the ants from getting through and invading the animal’s food.
Move the feeder
Sometimes the most effective method of how to avoid ants in the dog’s food puppycat or other pets is to move the feeder. The new location can make it difficult for insects to enter and prevent them from appearing.
However, the test is only valid if the change is functional for the pet and does not affect mealtime.
Sometimes, the food bowl is simply poorly located, contributing to the ant invasion.
Check the packaging carefully
In addition to the ants in the food bowl, it is common for these small insects to invade the bag where all the food is stored, which can cause even greater damage.
For this reason, remember to seal the packaging well and, if possible, reinforce the closure with zip locks, clips and wires.
Apply ant killers (with caution)
You can even apply ant killers to combat the problem of insects in animal feed directly at the root, however do this with caution and great care.
Many products that combat ants and other insects in the home are toxic to your pet’s health. Therefore, by trying to eradicate these “invaders”, you could be putting your pet’s health at risk.
When purchasing, check the packaging to see if there are any contraindications or information about the toxicity of the product in pets. To confirm, ask the store salesperson if it is possible to use the product.
Invest in anti-ant feeders
One of the most effective ways to get rid of unwanted ants in your pet’s food is to invest in anti-ant feeders. These containers have a flap that can be filled with water, which acts as a protective barrier.
At Amazon.com you can find several models of anti-ant feeders. Click on the banner below and see the options. Your pet will love the surprise!
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