#diatoms for my first post because they are my favorite

[algaeful]

diatom art created by klaus kemp

[2251bluewhales]

Week 1

My first week with Cascadia Research Collective has already been pleasantly eventful! I’ve really been able to immerse myself in the realities of marine mammal research, and there are many opportunities to be had.

The majority of my tasks this week have been photo identification trials. If you missed my last post, I’ve been assigned a series of about 20 photographs of blue whales, and my goal is to match the animals in the photos to the whales in CRC’s historical identification catalog, before eventually moving on to identifying new photographs from CRC’s recent field surveys. There’s a number of factors to consider when identifying blue whales specifically, and there are helpful methods to ease the occasionally daunting process of doing so.

Having some prior experience in photo identification, I’m no stranger to seeking out the smallest details. Truly, sometimes these identifying features are the smallest of details. In CRC’s database, pigmentation, or coloration, of the blue whales is broken down into several numerical categories, and each number represents a different type of coloration. On the lower end of the scale are darker colored whales, often dark grey to navy blue, gradually increasing in ‘lightness’ until you reach light grey to whitish whales at the upper end of the scale. Establish the coloration, locate discrete patterning (sometimes I look for faces, letters, and other patterns in the pigmentation, like one of those Rorschach inkblots, and even diatom algae growth on their skin can be helpful), take note of unique scarring, and the next key feature is the dorsal fin. I check for obvious physical traits; whether or not the fin is triangular, crescent-shaped, blunt, damaged or nicked, or entirely absent helps me narrow down my options further and streamlines the search process. There are potential trip-ups to be mindful of. For example, diatom algae growth and shedding, ship strikes, entanglement, and attacks from sharks or killer whales can alter or otherwise disfigure the animal’s appearance from season to season. Additionally, the position of the whale’s body during the dive sequence, as well as the photo angle and quality can provide further challenges. To make matters even more confusing, sometimes the whales have been miscategorized by pigment or dorsal fin condition due to human error, and the matching animal could fall well beyond the boundaries one would assume they’d be catalogued under.

Identifying blue whales is truly a roller coaster; making a match is one of those little thrills that makes your heart flutter, but sometimes finding the corresponding whale to these photos can be an incredibly painful and sometimes discouraging process. Considering these photos are trials, I’d assume that all the whales given to me have their respective matches in the catalog (unless my supervisors want to be incredibly realistic and simulate the appearance of new whales to a population, in which case I tip my hat to you, CRC). I’m reluctant to leave any whales unidentified, but as I’ve reached my final five whales, I’m starting to notice that sometimes these animals look incredibly similar.

The database allows you to filter your results based on dorsal fin condition, pigment, photo availability, the whale’s ID number, etc. Some filtered databases are more expansive than others. My least favorite category is “Pigment #6; dorsal undamaged”. There are exactly 626 whales in these specific filtered results, and I know this because that’s what the vast majority of my trial photos are falling under, and about three of my remaining whales (presumably) fall under this category. I’m hoping to have these last five whales positively identified by the end of next week at the absolute latest. Clicking through 626 whales looking for several animals that may or may not actually be there can be mind numbing. Luckily for me, I’ve had other work opportunities to keep my work varied.

(Content Warning: Animal death, seal necropsy)

Do you know what a necropsy is? It’s something I got to participate in this week through Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife for the first time. My god, it surely was quite the... surreal... experience.

Simply put, a necropsy is an autopsy performed on an animal. Death is a very necessary and natural aspect of nature as I’ve come to accept, and from a biologist’s perspective, performing a necropsy on deceased marine mammals gives us insight on the condition of their bodies beyond what we can observe superficially. We can determine the cause of death if not already known, and we can observe in detail what was going on inside the animal on a physiological level.

Upon arriving to the necropsy facility with a fellow intern, we donned scrubs over our ‘dirty work’ clothes, were given gloves and facemasks, and were then assigned the tasks of cleaning up the skulls of a sea lion, and two harbor seals so they may be preserved. The heads were boiled for several days in an enzyme to remove the flesh, and we had the ‘pleasure’ of removing the remaining bits. (The smell. The smell.)

Following that, we had a brief intermission where we were told an incredible rescue story of a live grey whale stranding that resulted in its successful release after a multi-day struggle to save it as we waited for one of our supervisors to arrive with three unfortunate harbor seal pups. None of them had happy stories. One was a premature seal that had to be euthanized due to [injuries sustained from] human contact (by the way: approaching, touching, and otherwise harassing marine mammals is a federal crime in the United States and is ecologically disastrous to their survival; the mother may abandon the pup if she smells humans on it, or in the environment nearby). Because of its young age and contact with people, this animal could not be rehabilitated or released, and was sadly put down. The other two were stillbirths; one had washed ashore, and another died during the birthing process.

We took general measurements of the animals, length, girth, weight, and then that’s when the action began. An incision was made from chin to tail, and the internal organs were removed one by one to be photographed. We took samples from most every organ and some bodily fluids, noting unnatural characteristics and signs of illness, collected them in containers or vials, and they would later be sent to a forensics laboratory for further analysis. We even examined the skull, eyes, and brain. Given the rural, out-of-the-way environment and the frankly graphic nature of the facility, I had a lot of Texas Chainsaw vibes, but the overall work environment was quite the opposite. The people there were wonderful, and everybody had genuinely splendid personalities despite the taxing yet valuable work they contribute to the field. We had an incredible time; I got to know one of my fellow interns and found out that we were connected by a super close mutual friend of mine, and we networked with some amazing individuals who had a wide expanse of experiences in completely different realms of the field, and I’d definitely participate in a necropsy again. It’s a little straining on the heartstrings, after all, they’re seal pups and all three of them were still painfully adorable despite their post-mortem condition, but I was able to pull through. The allergy attack that hit me before dissecting our first seal and persisted throughout the entire day surely didn’t help.

I have an uneasy sense of anticipation for the day we necropsy a larger animal, perhaps a porpoise or even a whale. While death is still a saddening experience, the opportunity to find myself up close and extra personal with an animal of this nature would be an incredible experience for me as an inquisitive individual, and a scientist in the making. My C/V is already looking stunning, and I haven’t even graduated college.

[jeffreyrwelch]

Pet-Safe Roach Killer: How to Repel Roaches Without Harming Dogs (and Other Pets)

Roaches are an unpleasant part of life, but if you live with dogs, your goal should be to avoid toxic pesticides at home. Just say no to the exterminator: According to the ASPCA, every year thousands of pets suffer and many die due to accidental ingestion of household poisons, especially insecticides. So, what is a pet-safe roach killer?

There are plug-in roach repellents, such as Riddex, but I have found they don’t work nearly as well as their hype says they do. Following folk wisdom, I’ve tried sprinkling bay leaves in the corners of my cabinets as a deterrent; but the leaves are just no match for tough urban roaches.

You can clean like a demon and bathe your dogs every single day, but keeping immaculate pets in a spotless home simply isn’t enough to repel roaches.

In fact, you can clean all day long and still have roaches, because these creepy-crawlies are attracted by odors — the smells of dog food, dog bedding, your bedding, your laundry. And in the good ol’ summertime, all those odors are magnified and made more pungent by high temperatures.

There are some non-toxic and pet-safe roach killers out there.

A black dog lying down on a hardwood floor Photography by Wikimedia Commons.

Pet-Safe Roach Killer: Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

The most effective weapon in the anti-roach arsenal is diatomaceous earth, available for sale online. This white powder consists of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It’s completely harmless to pets and people, as long as you buy the food-grade kind (please do not use diatomaceous earth made for use in swimming pools). In fact, food-grade diatomaceous earth may be safely eaten by pets to fight internal parasites;it’s also effective at repelling mosquitos, fleas and even ticks if rubbed into an animal’s coat.

Here’s how it works: The microscopic particles in the powder actually cut up an insect’s waxy exoskeleton, effectively dessicating them. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth (also known as diatom flour) wherever you’ve noticed roaches. It’s especially effective if placed behind kitchen appliances and inside cabinets. No need to use gloves – it’s perfectly safe to handle.

Don’t be discouraged if at first you seem to notice more roaches then before; for about a week after treating a roach-infested area with diatomaceous earth, you’ll actually see more of the crawling nasties. That’s because, as the diatomaceous earth works to dessicate them, the dehydrating bugs will be actively on the move, hunting for water.

 If you live with cats, diatomaceous earth is also an excellent way to extend the life of kitty litter. As any cat person knows, litter tends to poop outin high-humidity weather conditions; as it becomes damp and soggy, it stops absorbing odors and doesn’t clump as effectively. But diatomaceous earth’s naturally dessicating property helps cut down on odors by working to keep cat droppings dry.

Pet-Safe Roach Repellent: Catnip

Speaking of cats, another way to deter roaches is catnip. Yes, believe it or not, kitty’s favorite herb is a natural roach repellent! The active ingredient in it is nepetalactone, which is non-toxic to people and pets. Simply pinpoint where the roaches are meeting up at your place, and leave out small sachets of catnip. Obviously, if you live with cats, this method won’t work because kitty will get busy relocating those catnip toys before they can deter any roaches!

Do Not Use Boric Acid Anywhere Your Pet Can Access

Roaches happen to gravitate to high places, such as the tops of kitchen cabinets or shelving. Break out your ladder and put boric acid up there; the roaches will take the powder with them back to their nests. However, boric acid is harmful to dogs and people if ingested, so keep it far away from kids and pets. If your cat, say, can access the space between your cabinetry and your ceiling, do not use boric acid — use only diatomaceous earth instead.

Read more about dogs and bugs on Dogster.com:

Have These Natural Flea and Tick Preventatives Worked for Your Dog?

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Dog and in Your Home

Do Dogs Need Insect-Repelling Clothing and Furniture?

What pet-safe roach killers do you use? Tell us in the comments!

The post Pet-Safe Roach Killer: How to Repel Roaches Without Harming Dogs (and Other Pets) appeared first on Dogster.

[stiles-wtf]

Pet-Safe Roach Killer: How to Repel Roaches Without Harming Dogs (and Other Pets)

Roaches are an unpleasant part of life, but if you live with dogs, your goal should be to avoid toxic pesticides at home. Just say no to the exterminator: According to the ASPCA, every year thousands of pets suffer and many die due to accidental ingestion of household poisons, especially insecticides. So, what is a pet-safe roach killer?

There are plug-in roach repellents, such as Riddex, but I have found they don’t work nearly as well as their hype says they do. Following folk wisdom, I’ve tried sprinkling bay leaves in the corners of my cabinets as a deterrent; but the leaves are just no match for tough urban roaches.

You can clean like a demon and bathe your dogs every single day, but keeping immaculate pets in a spotless home simply isn’t enough to repel roaches.

In fact, you can clean all day long and still have roaches, because these creepy-crawlies are attracted by odors — the smells of dog food, dog bedding, your bedding, your laundry. And in the good ol’ summertime, all those odors are magnified and made more pungent by high temperatures.

There are some non-toxic and pet-safe roach killers out there.

A black dog lying down on a hardwood floor Photography by Wikimedia Commons.

Pet-Safe Roach Killer: Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

The most effective weapon in the anti-roach arsenal is diatomaceous earth, available for sale online. This white powder consists of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It’s completely harmless to pets and people, as long as you buy the food-grade kind (please do not use diatomaceous earth made for use in swimming pools). In fact, food-grade diatomaceous earth may be safely eaten by pets to fight internal parasites;it’s also effective at repelling mosquitos, fleas and even ticks if rubbed into an animal’s coat.

Here’s how it works: The microscopic particles in the powder actually cut up an insect’s waxy exoskeleton, effectively dessicating them. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth (also known as diatom flour) wherever you’ve noticed roaches. It’s especially effective if placed behind kitchen appliances and inside cabinets. No need to use gloves – it’s perfectly safe to handle.

Don’t be discouraged if at first you seem to notice more roaches then before; for about a week after treating a roach-infested area with diatomaceous earth, you’ll actually see more of the crawling nasties. That’s because, as the diatomaceous earth works to dessicate them, the dehydrating bugs will be actively on the move, hunting for water.

 If you live with cats, diatomaceous earth is also an excellent way to extend the life of kitty litter. As any cat person knows, litter tends to poop outin high-humidity weather conditions; as it becomes damp and soggy, it stops absorbing odors and doesn’t clump as effectively. But diatomaceous earth’s naturally dessicating property helps cut down on odors by working to keep cat droppings dry.

Pet-Safe Roach Repellent: Catnip

Speaking of cats, another way to deter roaches is catnip. Yes, believe it or not, kitty’s favorite herb is a natural roach repellent! The active ingredient in it is nepetalactone, which is non-toxic to people and pets. Simply pinpoint where the roaches are meeting up at your place, and leave out small sachets of catnip. Obviously, if you live with cats, this method won’t work because kitty will get busy relocating those catnip toys before they can deter any roaches!

Do Not Use Boric Acid Anywhere Your Pet Can Access

Roaches happen to gravitate to high places, such as the tops of kitchen cabinets or shelving. Break out your ladder and put boric acid up there; the roaches will take the powder with them back to their nests. However, boric acid is harmful to dogs and people if ingested, so keep it far away from kids and pets. If your cat, say, can access the space between your cabinetry and your ceiling, do not use boric acid — use only diatomaceous earth instead.

Read more about dogs and bugs on Dogster.com:

Have These Natural Flea and Tick Preventatives Worked for Your Dog?

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Dog and in Your Home

Do Dogs Need Insect-Repelling Clothing and Furniture?

What pet-safe roach killers do you use? Tell us in the comments!

The post Pet-Safe Roach Killer: How to Repel Roaches Without Harming Dogs (and Other Pets) appeared first on Dogster.

[buynewsoul]

Pet-Safe Roach Killer: How to Repel Roaches Without Harming Dogs (and Other Pets)

Roaches are an unpleasant part of life, but if you live with dogs, your goal should be to avoid toxic pesticides at home. Just say no to the exterminator: According to the ASPCA, every year thousands of pets suffer and many die due to accidental ingestion of household poisons, especially insecticides. So, what is a pet-safe roach killer?

There are plug-in roach repellents, such as Riddex, but I have found they don’t work nearly as well as their hype says they do. Following folk wisdom, I’ve tried sprinkling bay leaves in the corners of my cabinets as a deterrent; but the leaves are just no match for tough urban roaches.

You can clean like a demon and bathe your dogs every single day, but keeping immaculate pets in a spotless home simply isn’t enough to repel roaches.

In fact, you can clean all day long and still have roaches, because these creepy-crawlies are attracted by odors — the smells of dog food, dog bedding, your bedding, your laundry. And in the good ol’ summertime, all those odors are magnified and made more pungent by high temperatures.

There are some non-toxic and pet-safe roach killers out there.

A black dog lying down on a hardwood floor Photography by Wikimedia Commons.

Pet-Safe Roach Killer: Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

The most effective weapon in the anti-roach arsenal is diatomaceous earth, available for sale online. This white powder consists of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It’s completely harmless to pets and people, as long as you buy the food-grade kind (please do not use diatomaceous earth made for use in swimming pools). In fact, food-grade diatomaceous earth may be safely eaten by pets to fight internal parasites;it’s also effective at repelling mosquitos, fleas and even ticks if rubbed into an animal’s coat.

Here’s how it works: The microscopic particles in the powder actually cut up an insect’s waxy exoskeleton, effectively dessicating them. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth (also known as diatom flour) wherever you’ve noticed roaches. It’s especially effective if placed behind kitchen appliances and inside cabinets. No need to use gloves – it’s perfectly safe to handle.

Don’t be discouraged if at first you seem to notice more roaches then before; for about a week after treating a roach-infested area with diatomaceous earth, you’ll actually see more of the crawling nasties. That’s because, as the diatomaceous earth works to dessicate them, the dehydrating bugs will be actively on the move, hunting for water.

 If you live with cats, diatomaceous earth is also an excellent way to extend the life of kitty litter. As any cat person knows, litter tends to poop outin high-humidity weather conditions; as it becomes damp and soggy, it stops absorbing odors and doesn’t clump as effectively. But diatomaceous earth’s naturally dessicating property helps cut down on odors by working to keep cat droppings dry.

Pet-Safe Roach Repellent: Catnip

Speaking of cats, another way to deter roaches is catnip. Yes, believe it or not, kitty’s favorite herb is a natural roach repellent! The active ingredient in it is nepetalactone, which is non-toxic to people and pets. Simply pinpoint where the roaches are meeting up at your place, and leave out small sachets of catnip. Obviously, if you live with cats, this method won’t work because kitty will get busy relocating those catnip toys before they can deter any roaches!

Do Not Use Boric Acid Anywhere Your Pet Can Access

Roaches happen to gravitate to high places, such as the tops of kitchen cabinets or shelving. Break out your ladder and put boric acid up there; the roaches will take the powder with them back to their nests. However, boric acid is harmful to dogs and people if ingested, so keep it far away from kids and pets. If your cat, say, can access the space between your cabinetry and your ceiling, do not use boric acid — use only diatomaceous earth instead.

Read more about dogs and bugs on Dogster.com:

Have These Natural Flea and Tick Preventatives Worked for Your Dog?

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Dog and in Your Home

Do Dogs Need Insect-Repelling Clothing and Furniture?

What pet-safe roach killers do you use? Tell us in the comments!

The post Pet-Safe Roach Killer: How to Repel Roaches Without Harming Dogs (and Other Pets) appeared first on Dogster.

[daddyslittlejuliet]

Pet-Safe Roach Killer: How to Repel Roaches Without Harming Dogs (and Other Pets)

Roaches are an unpleasant part of life, but if you live with dogs, your goal should be to avoid toxic pesticides at home. Just say no to the exterminator: According to the ASPCA, every year thousands of pets suffer and many die due to accidental ingestion of household poisons, especially insecticides. So, what is a pet-safe roach killer?

There are plug-in roach repellents, such as Riddex, but I have found they don’t work nearly as well as their hype says they do. Following folk wisdom, I’ve tried sprinkling bay leaves in the corners of my cabinets as a deterrent; but the leaves are just no match for tough urban roaches.

You can clean like a demon and bathe your dogs every single day, but keeping immaculate pets in a spotless home simply isn’t enough to repel roaches.

In fact, you can clean all day long and still have roaches, because these creepy-crawlies are attracted by odors — the smells of dog food, dog bedding, your bedding, your laundry. And in the good ol’ summertime, all those odors are magnified and made more pungent by high temperatures.

There are some non-toxic and pet-safe roach killers out there.

A black dog lying down on a hardwood floor Photography by Wikimedia Commons.

Pet-Safe Roach Killer: Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

The most effective weapon in the anti-roach arsenal is diatomaceous earth, available for sale online. This white powder consists of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It’s completely harmless to pets and people, as long as you buy the food-grade kind (please do not use diatomaceous earth made for use in swimming pools). In fact, food-grade diatomaceous earth may be safely eaten by pets to fight internal parasites;it’s also effective at repelling mosquitos, fleas and even ticks if rubbed into an animal’s coat.

Here’s how it works: The microscopic particles in the powder actually cut up an insect’s waxy exoskeleton, effectively dessicating them. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth (also known as diatom flour) wherever you’ve noticed roaches. It’s especially effective if placed behind kitchen appliances and inside cabinets. No need to use gloves – it’s perfectly safe to handle.

Don’t be discouraged if at first you seem to notice more roaches then before; for about a week after treating a roach-infested area with diatomaceous earth, you’ll actually see more of the crawling nasties. That’s because, as the diatomaceous earth works to dessicate them, the dehydrating bugs will be actively on the move, hunting for water.

 If you live with cats, diatomaceous earth is also an excellent way to extend the life of kitty litter. As any cat person knows, litter tends to poop outin high-humidity weather conditions; as it becomes damp and soggy, it stops absorbing odors and doesn’t clump as effectively. But diatomaceous earth’s naturally dessicating property helps cut down on odors by working to keep cat droppings dry.

Pet-Safe Roach Repellent: Catnip

Speaking of cats, another way to deter roaches is catnip. Yes, believe it or not, kitty’s favorite herb is a natural roach repellent! The active ingredient in it is nepetalactone, which is non-toxic to people and pets. Simply pinpoint where the roaches are meeting up at your place, and leave out small sachets of catnip. Obviously, if you live with cats, this method won’t work because kitty will get busy relocating those catnip toys before they can deter any roaches!

Do Not Use Boric Acid Anywhere Your Pet Can Access

Roaches happen to gravitate to high places, such as the tops of kitchen cabinets or shelving. Break out your ladder and put boric acid up there; the roaches will take the powder with them back to their nests. However, boric acid is harmful to dogs and people if ingested, so keep it far away from kids and pets. If your cat, say, can access the space between your cabinetry and your ceiling, do not use boric acid — use only diatomaceous earth instead.

Read more about dogs and bugs on Dogster.com:

Have These Natural Flea and Tick Preventatives Worked for Your Dog?

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Dog and in Your Home

Do Dogs Need Insect-Repelling Clothing and Furniture?

What pet-safe roach killers do you use? Tell us in the comments!

The post Pet-Safe Roach Killer: How to Repel Roaches Without Harming Dogs (and Other Pets) appeared first on Dogster.

[grublypetcare]

Pet-Safe Roach Killer: How to Repel Roaches Without Harming Dogs (and Other Pets)

Roaches are an unpleasant part of life, but if you live with dogs, your goal should be to avoid toxic pesticides at home. Just say no to the exterminator: According to the ASPCA, every year thousands of pets suffer and many die due to accidental ingestion of household poisons, especially insecticides. So, what is a pet-safe roach killer?

There are plug-in roach repellents, such as Riddex, but I have found they don’t work nearly as well as their hype says they do. Following folk wisdom, I’ve tried sprinkling bay leaves in the corners of my cabinets as a deterrent; but the leaves are just no match for tough urban roaches.

You can clean like a demon and bathe your dogs every single day, but keeping immaculate pets in a spotless home simply isn’t enough to repel roaches.

In fact, you can clean all day long and still have roaches, because these creepy-crawlies are attracted by odors — the smells of dog food, dog bedding, your bedding, your laundry. And in the good ol’ summertime, all those odors are magnified and made more pungent by high temperatures.

There are some non-toxic and pet-safe roach killers out there.

A black dog lying down on a hardwood floor Photography by Wikimedia Commons.

Pet-Safe Roach Killer: Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

The most effective weapon in the anti-roach arsenal is diatomaceous earth, available for sale online. This white powder consists of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It’s completely harmless to pets and people, as long as you buy the food-grade kind (please do not use diatomaceous earth made for use in swimming pools). In fact, food-grade diatomaceous earth may be safely eaten by pets to fight internal parasites;it’s also effective at repelling mosquitos, fleas and even ticks if rubbed into an animal’s coat.

Here’s how it works: The microscopic particles in the powder actually cut up an insect’s waxy exoskeleton, effectively dessicating them. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth (also known as diatom flour) wherever you’ve noticed roaches. It’s especially effective if placed behind kitchen appliances and inside cabinets. No need to use gloves – it’s perfectly safe to handle.

Don’t be discouraged if at first you seem to notice more roaches then before; for about a week after treating a roach-infested area with diatomaceous earth, you’ll actually see more of the crawling nasties. That’s because, as the diatomaceous earth works to dessicate them, the dehydrating bugs will be actively on the move, hunting for water.

 If you live with cats, diatomaceous earth is also an excellent way to extend the life of kitty litter. As any cat person knows, litter tends to poop outin high-humidity weather conditions; as it becomes damp and soggy, it stops absorbing odors and doesn’t clump as effectively. But diatomaceous earth’s naturally dessicating property helps cut down on odors by working to keep cat droppings dry.

Pet-Safe Roach Repellent: Catnip

Speaking of cats, another way to deter roaches is catnip. Yes, believe it or not, kitty’s favorite herb is a natural roach repellent! The active ingredient in it is nepetalactone, which is non-toxic to people and pets. Simply pinpoint where the roaches are meeting up at your place, and leave out small sachets of catnip. Obviously, if you live with cats, this method won’t work because kitty will get busy relocating those catnip toys before they can deter any roaches!

Do Not Use Boric Acid Anywhere Your Pet Can Access

Roaches happen to gravitate to high places, such as the tops of kitchen cabinets or shelving. Break out your ladder and put boric acid up there; the roaches will take the powder with them back to their nests. However, boric acid is harmful to dogs and people if ingested, so keep it far away from kids and pets. If your cat, say, can access the space between your cabinetry and your ceiling, do not use boric acid — use only diatomaceous earth instead.

Read more about dogs and bugs on Dogster.com:

Have These Natural Flea and Tick Preventatives Worked for Your Dog?

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Dog and in Your Home

Do Dogs Need Insect-Repelling Clothing and Furniture?

What pet-safe roach killers do you use? Tell us in the comments!

The post Pet-Safe Roach Killer: How to Repel Roaches Without Harming Dogs (and Other Pets) appeared first on Dogster.