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Most people don’t think about bugs in their cat’s litter box, but there are a lot of cat owners that do. It’s not an uncommon problem for pet owners to have, and you’re likely to see it happen all too frequently in your house every single day.
I mean, isn’t it perfectly natural for bugs to crawl around their kitty’s poo? You may be even thinking about how grossed out you would be if you saw an actual bug crawling around in your cat’s toilet.
How do you get rid of these little black bugs in cat litter? I’ve had this problem for years and I read every article I can find trying to figure out what it is and how to fix it. What I found was not very helpful so I decided to write my post on the topic.
If you’ve never considered that bugs could be nesting near your kitty’s litter box, then you might want to consider this post because some pretty nasty little critters can take up residence there.
How do I keep bugs away from my litter box?
Find out what type of bug it is. Different bugs require different treatments. There are a few things you can do to keep bugs and litter mites away from your litter box. Here are some of the best ones:
- First, make sure you clean out your litter box at least once a week. This will help to eliminate any lingering odors and also prevent the breeding of various types of pests.
- Second, if you have an open window in your home, close it, to keep any bugs out of the house.
- Use a natural repellant.
- Add essential oils to the area.
- Cover the box with mesh or fabric.
- Use an electronic repeller device (this is what we use).
- Add citronella candles to the area
- Place an insecticide strip in an inconspicuous place near the litter box. The strip will slowly release insecticide over several days, killing any crawling insects that land on it.
- Use an aerosol can filled with insecticide spray around your cat’s litter box. The spray will kill insects inside the box and outside of it, preventing them from crawling into your home.
Do cat litter boxes attract bugs?
Yes, cat litter boxes attract bugs.
While there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that cat litter boxes attract bugs, there are a few things to consider that may make this seem like the case.
For one, bugs are attracted to places where there is food, and cat litter often contains food particles.
Additionally, bugs are attracted to darkness and moisture, and a litter box may provide both of these things.
However, if your litter box is not cleaned regularly, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which can attract bugs. If you notice bugs in your home, it is important to determine the source of the problem so that you can take steps to eliminate them.
The most common bug found in cat litter is the little black bug, which is often called a jumping bug because it hops around instead of running. These bugs can be identified by their long antennae; they are usually less than 1/4 inch long with a dark body and legs that have white bands.
If you are concerned about bugs in your home, be sure to keep your litter box clean and dry, and try to keep it in a well-lit area.
Why Are There Bugs in My Cat’s Litter Box?
There are a few reasons why bugs might end up in your cat’s litter box.
First, some bugs are attracted to the warmth and humidity of the litter box. They can often be found in other areas of the home as well.
Second, bugs might be drawn to the smell of the litter or the food that your cat eats.
And finally, some bugs such as roaches might just be looking for a dark, sheltered place to hide.
Second, bugs can sometimes get into the house on your cat’s fur. And third, bugs can lay their eggs in the litter box, which can then hatch and cause an infestation.
How do I get rid of phorid flies in my litter box?
Phorid flies, also known as litter box gnats, can be a common problem with cat litter boxes. They’re small and dark, and they can be difficult to spot when they swarm your cat’s litter box.
These little bugs feed on the feces of cats that use the litter box and lay eggs near it. This is why you might see them flying around your home or inside your cat’s litter box. They’re attracted to light, so you may notice them hovering around windowsills or lamps where there is light coming through.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to get rid of these pesky bugs from your home!
- Make sure you clean out your litter box every day. Don’t let too much poop pile up before scooping it out!
- Keep your cat’s litter box off the ground by putting it on something like a table or desk. Little black jumping beetles in kitty litter tend to favor dark places such as crawl spaces between walls and floors where they can hide until they jump onto their prey at night.
- The best way to prevent infestation is a monthly application of boric acid powder in all crevices along floorboards and under appliances.
- Fecal matter alone won’t attract phorid flies: The fly larvae thrive on rotting organic matter, which means if you keep your litter box very clean and try not to put any old food down, there should be little chance of attracting phorids. If one still manages to come into contact with fecal matter in the litter box, however, it will breed more quickly because it can find ample amounts of food nearby. To avoid this happening, always scoop out droppings from the bottom of the tray after each use!
- If you have weevils in your cat’s litter, add some diatomaceous earth to your kitty’s toilet area. It will kill off any bugs crawling over it without harming your kitty!
- Place an open container of liquid ant killer near their food bowl. This will attract the little buggers right to their death!
Could there be fleas in my cat’s litter box?
The first thing to do is look for little black bugs, jumping bugs, and weevils. If you see any of these, you may have a flea problem. You can use a trap or call the vet for an accurate diagnosis.
If it’s not fleas, it may be litter mites or even litter box gnats. These tiny insects love to live and breed in cat boxes that don’t get cleaned regularly. You can buy special dusting powder from your vet which will help kill them off or try spraying the box with vinegar after each use and then giving it a good scrubbing with dish soap.
How to get rid of bugs in cat litter?
While there are no guarantees when it comes to ridding your home of gnats, there are several things you can do to help.
- Put the litter box outside for a few days.
- Remove all of the old cat litter from the box and replaced it with fresh, clean litter.
- Then, put some food out for your cat so that he can eat while he’s outside.
- Rinse the box well after each use with warm water and dishwashing liquid to remove any waste or residue from the previous use.
- Wash the box with hot water at least once a week to get rid of any dirt and debris that has accumulated in the box over time.
- Mix up some baking soda with water and pour it into the box to help neutralize odors.
- Keep an additional supply of cat litter on hand in case there is an accident during one of your daily cleaning sessions (e.g., kitty poops).
- Use a different kind of litter that doesn’t contain vermiculite or uses non-clumping litter such as pine or corn.
How to keep flies away from the litter box
- Keep the litter box in a spot where it won’t be exposed to direct sunlight. This will help keep flies away from your cat’s waste.
- If you want to eliminate the threat of flies in your home, use a fly repellent that contains DEET. Apply it to the inside and outside of the windows and door frames where flies enter. It will also keep them away from any plants that you have near your home.
- Use a fly trap that has been made especially for pets and place it indoors in areas where flies are a problem, such as basements and garages. Place it so that it doesn’t obstruct vision or traffic flow around your house.
