Low-toxicity insect and animal repellents
When preventive methods are no longer effective at keeping unwanted insects and animals at bay, more drastic measures may be called for, such as the use of pesticides.
While some natural products may have a repellent effect, products with active ingredients are not all harmless. It’s therefore important to use them sparingly and follow the instructions for use to reduce the potential adverse effects on health and the environment.
Examples of natural products used as animal or insect repellents
Products | Species |
|---|---|
| Hot pepper and black pepper | Animals (cats, dogs, squirrel, etc.) |
| Cloves, lavender sachets, camphor, scented soap | Clothes moths |
| White vinegar | Spiders and houseflies |
| Chicken manure, dried blood meal (available at garden centres) | Squirrels |
Examples of active ingredients in over-the-counter pesticides1
Biopesticides | Species |
|---|---|
| Citronella oil | Mosquitoes and other stinging insects |
| Capsaicin (active compound of chili peppers) Piperine (active compound of pepper) Black pepper oil | Animals (dogs, cats, squirrels, skunks, etc.) |
| Diatomaceous earth (silicon dioxide) | Ants, cockroaches, earwigs, etc. |
| Insecticidal soap | Plants infested with mites, aphids, white flies or thrips. |
| Pheromones (on sticky traps) | Food mites |
| Boric acid Borax | Ants, cockroaches |
Other products | Species |
|---|---|
Deet picaridin (topical repellents) | Mosquitoes and other biting insects |
Pyrethrin (insecticide) | Ants, cockroaches |
Permethrin (insecticide) | Spiders |
Has an insect or pest invaded your home? CAA-Quebec Residential Advisory Services can easily answer your questions about a potential infestation and, if necessary, recommend a reliable extermination company. You can also consult our home guides.
1. A pesticide typically consists of formulants (oil, paste, etc.) and one or more active ingredients. An active ingredient is a compound that acts on the targeted pest(s). To find out the active ingredient in a product, look at the label under “guarantee”.