“Good Kitty!” 5 Pest-Control Pets to Protect Your Home

Household pests are not a death sentence for your home; we have so many choices when it comes to dealing with them! For instance, if there’s an infestation of termites in your home, you can easily ask for help from your local termite control company. Or in case your garden plants are being attacked by leaf-eating insects, you can place a complementary flora beside it, since companion planting is a natural method of pest control used by agricultural and horticultural experts around the world. Sometimes, though, your own pets want a piece of the action. They want to help, they truly do! Not only would they do it gladly on your behalf, but they can also set on the task with ruthless efficiency.

Below are some of the pets we keep at home that help out with pest control:

Cats

No better pet can help you reduce the levels of your rat problems to zero! Our feline pals can move quickly and stealthily, and they are able to catch their prey using sharp claws and teeth. Their mere presence is enough to make rodents tremble, making these vermin leave the house. Aside from rats, felines also have their eye on cockroaches (although you might not like watching your pet play with such disgusting insects. Some cats are even agile enough to catch birds while it’s midair (they have some sort of strategy for that).

Dogs

Sometimes cats themselves can be pests though, especially stray ones. Are you having trouble with cats who mess up your backyard by picking on your trash bin? Your canine buddy would be more than willing to help you out! Dogs are ever man’s best friend, and they’ll ward off anyone and anything they think is unwelcome to your home. The only downside is they might not be as quick-footed as those stray felines they’re trying to catch; on second though, that’s probably a good thing because you only want the dogs to scare the cats away, not murder them!

Snakes

Believe it or not, snakes are becoming common pets, especially corn snakes and ball pythons. In fact, a captive breeding industry was initiated to meet the rising demands for domesticated snakes, since these are more docile than their wilder cousins. They require low maintenance and even lesser space. As for diet, snakes have an infrequent feeding schedule, so you don’t have to worry too much about their food. Among pests, they eat rats, birds and various insects. However, live feeding can be dangerous for them so don’t attempt it unless you’re absolutely sure can handle it.

Turtles

Aside from aquatic plants, turtles are also known to eat insects, snails and worms; their diet basically depends on their habitat. They make fascinating pets, and they can live for decades if well cared for. The only downside with taking care of these shelled creatures is their maintenance; they require a tank with a water heater, filter and basking area. Here is a pet tortoise care guide that you can use if you are planning to keep a turtle/tortoise as a pet.

Birds

Intelligent and elegant, birds make great pets. While most domesticated birds tend to be herbivores, there are some species that are known to include worms, and insects in their diet. They also need less maintenance and but a larger living space in order to live happily. Just make sure that their out of your cat’s reach in case you have a feline buddy at home.

These are just some of the examples of common pets we know of that can help us get rid of pests in our home. And while they do help you in dealing with vermin, don’t forget that their first job is to be your pets, and pest control only comes second. Never risk the lives of your pets for strange creatures that might possibly be venomous. Better rely on pest control for serious infestation problems!