Mint
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, and mosquitos hate it. Planting it in some pots around your patio or deck will help repel mosquitos so you don’t have to use citronella. Plus, the pots will ensure the mint stays contained without spreading to other areas of your yard.
Homemade Bug Spray
Many pet owners have found success with making their own mosquito repellant. Here’s what you’ll need:
After adding essential oil and witch hazel to the spray bottle, simply shake and spray on your dog’s coat, avoiding the eye area.
Natural products that contain essential oils are becoming more popular for both animals and people for a variety of reasons. And a summer staple that is used during many warm-weather gatherings is citronella.
It is very common for people to use citronella products, such as torches or candles in their backyards to repel insects during the summer months. While this is helpful in keeping unwanted pests away, these products do pose some risks for our dogs.
If a dog ingests citronella, stomach irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological abnormalities may occur. Sprays and oils can cause skin irritation if they touch your pet’s skin or paws for an extended period of time, and they may cause eye irritation if contact occurs. In addition, if the oil is inhaled, it may cause a condition known as aspiration pneumonia which negatively affects a dog’s lungs.
Likewise, insect repellant bottles containing citronella should not be easily accessible by dogs, especially aggressive chewers.
This popular mosquito repellant is burned in candles or used in bug sprays as a way to keep these biting pests at bay. But is citronella safe for dogs? We’ll explain how citronella may affect dogs and how to keep canine companions safe around citronella-based products.