Here, we’re more interested in discussing the uses of ammonia for pest control.
The application of ammonia for garden pests and various other pest issues has steadily grown over the years. This treatment is applied in a certain way that ensures humans and pets aren’t affected.
This is a versatile chemical product used for making explosives, cooling agents, fertilizers, and manufacturing citric acid.
What more? Ammonia is used for the production of pesticides, cleaning products, and also for synthetic fiber production. This chemical product serves to eliminate a wide range of pest issues effectively.
You’ll need to read along to find out how.
What Pest Problems Does Ammonia Solve?
Regarding pest issues, there are many problems to deal with. Now, the approaches are primarily different. What works for a particular pest problem may prove ineffective for others.
You’ll need to find what works to ensure your intervention is worthwhile.
Ammonia is effective against several pests, such as snakes, raccoons, rodents, and roaches. The use of ammonia for pest control is done chiefly using DIY techniques.
In this case, the input of an expert isn’t involved.
It will be best to involve the pros when dealing with a pest problem. You might also inquire about ammonia’s efficacy as a pest repellent.
Remember, the aim is to have lasting relief from all pest issues through the most reliable means possible.
Ammonia as a Pest Control Agent
For a better understanding, it will be necessary to explain what ammonia is. Ammonia comes in liquid or gaseous form.
For this article, we will recommend the use of liquid ammonia. Ammonia has the consistency of water. It is also a clear liquid that has several benefits.
Apart from pest control, it is also used for many other things. These include its use as a cleaning agent to repel moths and eliminate odors.
But enough of that already! Can it rid your home of bed bugs, fleas, ants, and other insect pests? Let’s find out.
Using Ammonia For Rodent Control
Using ammonia for rodent control is a practice that has been widely accepted due to its perceived benefits.
Mice and rodents cause all sorts of damage, from chewing on insulation, gnawing and burrowing upholstered furniture, and building nests in electrical appliances.
These rodents also target food sources that are in abundance in homes. Access to such food sources is likely to result in the spread of diseases from rodents to humans.
To fight back, you’ll need to apply ammonia in a certain way.
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How it Works
Ammonia has a characteristic smell similar to that of urine.
Now, both mice and rats are known to have an excellent sense of smell. Due to the similarity in smell to urine, ammonia is a sign of danger as rodents assume a predator is nearby.
Due to natural survival instincts, rats escape areas with an ammonia smell.
Applying ammonia won’t only give an illusion of predator presence. It causes damage to the respiratory system of rats and other rodents. These properties of ammonia make it a viable option for rodent control.
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How to Apply Ammonia for Rodent Control
Whether faced with mice or rat problems, the approach to ammonia application is pretty much the same. First, you’ll need to find or identify areas used by mice or rats to enter your home. These entry points are targeted for the application of ammonia.
Next, you’ll need to dilute some amount of ammonia with water. Equal amounts of ammonia and water should be mixed and emptied into cups. These are placed along identified entryways as well as possible pathways.
Ammonia can also be applied by having rags soaked in it. Such rags are placed around entry points used by these rodents. While applying ammonia indoors, it’s essential not to ignore the outdoors.
Rodents come from outside, and treating your home’s perimeter is essential.
Get some ammonia and have it sprinkled or poured in a line around the perimeter of your home. This acts as a barrier that rodents find challenging to breach. Has ammonia reapplied along with target points every few weeks?
However, it’s important to note that applying ammonia alone isn’t a reliable way to tackle the problem.
While ammonia will repel rats and mice, it’s best to have such entryways or holes sealed up.
Using Ammonia For Snake Control
Most people will cringe at the thought of snakes lurking in their surroundings.
The natural response will be to have them removed or expelled as quickly as possible.
Now, some people might be unaware of the fact that snakes prey on rodents.
Having these rodent predators (snakes) removed only leads to a situation where there’s an increase in mice and rat populations.
Many homeowners don’t welcome snakes and rodents, and other pests.
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How it Works
The strong scent of ammonia affects most pests, including snakes. Snakes will keep as much distance as possible from areas where ammonia is applied.
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Applying Ammonia For Snake Control
Whenever faced with a snake problem, ammonia serves as a handy and ready solution.
Application is also easy! You’ll need to get some rags and have them soaked in ammonia solution. Place such rags around areas where snakes have been seen.
Common areas to find snakes include places near woodpiles and brushes, among others. If you’ve done this but still see snakes around, you might want to call the pros for more comprehensive treatment.
Using Ammonia For Raccoon Control
Raccoons are also considered pests as they come around to cause all sorts of problems.
These pests are potential carriers of rabies. Plus, they create many problems, such as digging up your yard and tipping over your trash can.
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How Ammonia Works
The pungent smell from ammonia is a critical repellent factor that makes it effective.
When a raccoon picks up the smell of ammonia, it assumes its food source has been compromised. Plus, the area is considered the territory of a male raccoon or predator.
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Applying Ammonia for Raccoon Control
Ammonia application for raccoon control isn’t complex at all.
All you have to do is get some rags and have them soaked in ammonia. These should be dropped around areas most frequented by raccoons.
Sometimes, the repellent effect on raccoons is short-lived.
Raccoons will likely return to their surroundings when they become accustomed to the ammonia smell. It’s best to have a wildlife removal service come around to handle your raccoon problems in the most comprehensive way possible.
Safety Considerations When Using Ammonia to Exterminate Pest
It would be best to be wary of mixing ammonia with other substances. Ammonia, when used according to instructions won’t do much harm.
However, mixing it with bleach will produce the harmful chemicals mono-chloramine, di-chloramine, and tri-chloramine.
When inhaled, these are in the form of toxic fumes to the respiratory system.
If you must use ammonia for pest removal, you must carefully follow all instructions given by the manufacturer. Otherwise, you should seek alternative and safer ways of dealing with your pest problems.
Conclusion
Using ammonia for pest control is a common practice. However, it’s only one of several options available. We recommend seeking expert opinions on this pest control method.