Many people often wonder, is it safe for dogs to eat bugs? In most cases, bugs won’t hurt your dog; however, several bugs are dangerous or poisonous, including the monarch butterfly and caterpillars. Knowing what types of bugs are around your house could decrease the panic level a little bit if you see your dog going after something. Clint Miller exterminating can help eradicate bugs around your yard and house so you could almost eliminate the chance of your dog eating a bug.
Fireflies – sometimes called lightning bugs – are beetles that are harmless to humans, but not to dogs. They contain lucibufagins, which is toxic to dogs, birds, amphibians, lizards and some other animals. The lucibufagins in lightning bugs could cause your dog to have a lack of appetite and could also cause vomiting. Dogs are attracted to them because of the light they put off. The light is how these beetles communicate with each other, find a mate and warn predators off.
This beetle was brought over from eastern Asia in the late ’70s and early ’80s to control scale insects, aphids and other agricultural pests. They were released in a few states, but have since spread throughout the rest of the country. The Asian beetle looks like a ladybug but is dangerous to dogs. The beetle has a chemical that could cause burns in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract and mouth. The Asian lady beetle has black markings in the shape of an ‘M’ behind its head. Unlike native ladybugs, the Asian beetle does bite, and the chemical they secrete when disturbed stains.
As a dog owner and gardener, I’ve often worried about how garden pests might affect my furry friends. One common garden pest that raises questions is the aphid. If you’ve spotted these tiny bugs on your plants and noticed your dog sniffing around them, you might be concerned. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about aphids and your canine companions.
The Short Answer: No Need to Worry!
Aphids cannot harm dogs. Despite having piercing mouthparts called stylets, these tiny insects only use them to puncture plant tissue. They can’t bite dogs, latch onto their fur, or spread diseases to them.
This is great news for those of us who battle aphids in our gardens while our four-legged friends explore nearby!
Common Misconceptions About Aphids and Dogs
There are several myths circulating about aphids and pets that need clearing up
Myth 1: Aphids Can Bite or Sting Dogs
Unlike mosquitoes, ticks, or fleas, aphids have no interest in your dog. Their mouthparts are specifically designed to pierce plant tissue to extract sap – not animal skin.
I was actually curious about this myself and did a small experiment. I placed several aphids on my finger and waited to see what would happen. The result? Absolutely nothing! Some didn’t move at all, while others just wandered around confused. I couldn’t even feel them on my skin – they’re that harmless.
Myth 2: Aphids Can Spread Disease to Dogs
While aphids can transmit hundreds of plant diseases, they cannot spread any diseases to dogs or other animals There’s simply no mechanism for them to do so
Myth 3: Aphids Are Similar to Ticks
This is a common confusion. Ticks and aphids are completely different creatures:
- Ticks are parasites in the Arachnida class with 8 legs. They feed on blood and can spread serious diseases.
- Aphids belong to the Insecta class with 6 legs. They feed exclusively on plant nutrients and can’t harm animals.
Their life cycles, behaviors, and impact on animals are entirely different. If you see tiny insects on your dog, they’re likely fleas or ticks – not aphids.
What Happens If Your Dog Encounters Aphids?
Let’s address some common scenarios
If Aphids Get on Your Dog’s Fur
In the unlikely event that your dog brushes against an aphid-infested plant and picks up a few aphids, don’t worry! The aphids:
- Won’t survive long on animal fur
- Can’t latch onto hair or skin
- Have no interest in your pet
- Will likely fall off or die quickly
If Your Dog Eats Plants With Aphids
Dogs sometimes munch on grass or plants. If those plants happen to have aphids on them, it’s still not a concern. Aphids aren’t toxic if ingested and won’t cause your dog any harm.
Can Aphids Cause Skin Irritation?
Some garden blogs claim aphids can cause skin irritations, but this is misleading. Aphids cannot damage, pierce, or irritate skin in any way. Their stylets are designed exclusively for plant material.
There is one extremely rare exception: the Ceratoglyphnia styracicola aphid species from Central Taiwan has been reported to cause mild irritation. But unless you’re visiting Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan, this isn’t relevant to your dog’s safety!
What Garden Pests Should Dog Owners Actually Worry About?
While aphids are harmless to dogs, there are other garden critters that can cause problems:
- Ticks: Can attach to dogs and spread diseases like Lyme disease
- Mosquitoes: Can bite and potentially transmit heartworm
- Certain caterpillars: Some have irritating hairs or toxins
- Some spiders: Certain species can bite if provoked
- Wasps and bees: Can sting if your dog disturbs them
These are the bugs you should keep an eye out for when your dog is enjoying outdoor time.
Pet-Safe Aphid Control Options
If you’re battling aphids in your garden but worried about your dog’s safety, here are some pet-friendly options:
Natural Remedies That Are Safe for Dogs
-
Neem Oil: This is my personal favorite. It’s effective against aphids but safe for pets when used as directed.
- You can buy it as a concentrate or ready-made spray
- Follow dilution instructions carefully
-
Insecticidal Soap: Another good option that’s generally safe around pets once dry
- Look for products specifically labeled as pet-safe
-
Water Spray: Simply spraying affected plants with a strong stream of water can knock aphids off
- This is completely safe for pets
- May need repeated applications
-
Pyrethrin Sprays: Derived from chrysanthemum flowers, these can be effective when used correctly
- Allow to dry completely before letting pets back into the area
Application Tips to Keep Dogs Safe
When using any aphid control method:
- Keep dogs away during application
- Allow sprays to dry completely before letting dogs back into the area
- Store products out of reach of curious pups
- Always read and follow product labels
FAQs About Aphids and Dogs
Are aphids poisonous to dogs if eaten?
No, aphids are not poisonous to dogs. If your dog accidentally eats a few aphids while munching on plants, there’s no need to worry.
Can aphids live in dog fur like fleas?
No, aphids cannot live in dog fur. Unlike fleas or lice, aphids are exclusively plant-feeding insects and cannot survive on animals.
Will aphids jump from plants onto my dog?
Aphids don’t jump and have no interest in animals. They stay firmly attached to plants unless disturbed, and even then, they’re not seeking out your pet.
Can dogs spread aphids between plants?
While theoretically possible if a dog brushes against an infested plant and then another plant, this is extremely unlikely and not something to worry about.
Do aphids carry diseases that can affect dogs?
No, aphids only transmit plant diseases. They cannot transmit any diseases to dogs or other animals.
The Bottom Line
As both a dog lover and gardener, I’m happy to report that aphids pose absolutely no threat to our furry friends. These tiny plant pests might be annoying for your garden, but they’re completely harmless to dogs.
So next time you spot your pooch sniffing around your aphid-infested plants, you can relax knowing that these common garden pests won’t harm your beloved pet in any way.
Just focus on keeping those aphids off your precious plants – that’s where the real battle lies! And while you’re managing your aphid problem, you can use pet-safe methods without worrying about your four-legged garden helper.
Have you ever worried about aphids affecting your pets? Or do you have any pet-safe gardening tips to share? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Contact Clint Miller Exterminating
If you see too many of these bugs around your house, especially inside your house, contact Clint Miller Exterminating for an appointment to spray.
Monarch Butterfly and Caterpillars
The monarch butterfly and caterpillars are more bugs your dogs should not eat. The monarch butterfly lays its eggs in the milkweed plant, which is also poisonous to dogs. This plant is also the only plant the larvae eat. The plant, butterfly and its caterpillars have a very bitter taste, so it’s rare that dogs will eat them. What makes the milkweed plant poisonous is the toxic chemical cardenolides. Because the larvae eat the plant, the butterfly and larvae have the chemical in their bodies. Cardenolides disrupt the heart’s electrolyte balance and can stop the heart from beating. If you suspect that your dog ate the plant, butterfly or its caterpillars, take the dog to the vet immediately. Symptoms include tremors, dilated pupils, abnormal heart rate, seizures, weakness, and finally, death if left untreated.
June bugs, cicadas and stink bugs aren’t toxic and they don’t sting or bite. However, they have a hard shell that doesn’t digest. If your dog eats enough of them, it could cause a blockage that would require surgery to repair. They could also cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach upset unless your dog has a cast iron stomach. Stink bugs will cause a dog to vomit or drool after biting one.
Some caterpillars sting or could inject venom into a dog. The woolly bear isn’t toxic to dogs, but the hairs could cause a dog to salivate, cough or gag when they get stuck in the mouth and throat. Saddleback, Io moth, monkey slug, gypsy moth, flannel moth and puss moth caterpillars could all sting or inject venom.
The biggest damage from these bugs is the sting if a dog is allergic. Venomous spiders such as the black widow and brown recluse could cause a serious illness or death. Bees pose no harm, less for pain from the sting unless your dog is allergic. It’s best to keep dogs away from bees.
Cockroaches are harmful bugs to dogs in that they could carry parasites and pass them on to your dog, as could crickets and beetles.