Hey guys, let’s cut to the chase—if you’re a cat scratcher supplier, or just a cat parent who’s ever dealt with a bug infestation in your feline’s favorite scratch spot, you know how annoying it is. I’ve been in this game for years, sending high-quality scratchers to homes across the country, and one question I get ALL the time is: “How do I keep pests out of these things?” I’ve tested every trick in the book (some worked, some… let’s just say I learned the hard way), so today I’m breaking down the real, science-backed steps to stop roaches, ants, mites, and even those weird tiny pantry moths from turning your scratchers into a pest hotel. No fancy jargon, no overcomplicated hacks—just stuff that actually works, from someone who’s actually in the cat scratcher business. Cat Scratcher
First off, let’s talk about why scratchers are such pest magnets in the first place. It’s not just that cats love to rub on them (though that definitely leaves crumbs and fur, which pests eat). Most scratchers are made of natural materials, right? Cardboard, sisal rope, wood, sometimes even seagrass. Natural fibers are way more sustainable and durable, which is why we use them in our products—but they’re also porous. That means crumbs, spilled cat food (yep, cats knock their kibble into scratchers all the time), and even dead skin cells (your cat sheds like crazy) get trapped deep in the gaps. And roaches? They’ll hang out in those gaps for months. Mites? They love the warm, humid environment that’s trapped between loose sisal strands. Ants? They smell even a single crumb from a foot away. So the first rule is: stop letting stuff get into the scratcher that pests want to eat or live in. That’s way better than trying to kill them after they move in.
Let’s start with the most important part—quality control when you’re making (or buying) scratchers, which is why I care so much as a supplier. Wait, why does this matter if you’re a cat parent? Because if you buy a cheap scratcher from a random big-box store, it might have loose, frayed edges that crumble easily, or gaps where pests can hide. Our team actually puts every scratcher through a “pest check” before it leaves our warehouse, so here’s what we do that you can copy, too. First, seal all the seams properly. Cardboard scratchers, for example—when you cut the cardboard to shape it, there are raw edges that are like welcome mats for bugs. We use a non-toxic, waterproof adhesive (no harsh chemicals that’ll hurt cats, promise) to seal all the cut edges, so crumbs and fur can’t get trapped inside. Also, we wrap the cardboard core in a tight, single layer of sisal rope, not a bunch of loose loops. Loose sisal is perfect for cats, but it also creates tiny little crevices where mites can lay eggs. Tight winding? No crevices. Win-win for cats and pest prevention.
Next, let’s talk about cleaning—because even the best-sealed scratcher will get gunked up over time, especially if your cat likes to chomp on it (yes, some cats do that). But here’s the right way to clean a scratcher, not the way that just pushes crumbs deeper. First, do a weekly “dry clean” with a stiff brush—think a pet grooming brush with metal pins, not a soft one. Brush along the sisal or cardboard in the direction of the fibers, and then turn the scratcher upside down and shake it outside. All the loose fur, crumbs, and dead skin will fall right out. That’s non-negotiable—if you skip this, those particles will build up and attract pests faster than a bowl of kibble left out all day. Then, every month, do a deep clean, but only if the scratcher is washable (check the label—some cardboard ones will fall apart if you soak them). For washable scratchers: mix a drop of mild, unscented dish soap with warm water, dampen a cloth (don’t drench it—too much water will make cardboard warp or sisal mold, which is another pest attractor), and wipe down the surface. Then let it air dry COMPLETELY in the sun. Wait, sunlight kills pests! It’s science—ultraviolet rays from the sun break down the exoskeletons of roaches and mites, and dry out any moisture that mold needs. Plus, it’s free and way safer than any chemical spray. Never use bug spray on the scratcher, by the way—cats groom themselves with their tongues, and they’ll lick that chemical residue off the scratcher. That’s a big no-no, I can’t stress that enough.
Now, let’s talk about barrier methods—stuff you can put around the scratcher to keep pests from even getting near it. This is especially helpful if your cat’s scratcher is in a closet, near a pantry, or on a floor where ants or roaches are already hanging out. The best barrier I’ve found is diatomaceous earth (DE)—but only food-grade DE, not the kind you use for pools. Pool DE has chemicals that are toxic to cats and humans. Food-grade DE is just crushed fossilized algae, and it works like magic. It’s not a poison—it cuts through the waxy outer layer of pests, so they dry out and die. But you have to use it right. Sprinkle a very thin line (like, almost invisible) of DE around the base of the scratcher, and a tiny bit on the top edge where the scratcher meets the floor. Don’t pile it on—cats will step in it and track it around the house, and it can get in their eyes. Also, reapply it after you vacuum or mop, because water will make it stop working. Another barrier trick: if your scratcher is wooden, put it on a small tray with a little bit of water in it. Ants can’t cross water, so that stops them from climbing up. Just make sure the tray is shallow, so your cat doesn’t knock it over or step in it (cats hate wet paws, and we don’t want that). And for roaches? They don’t like the smell of peppermint, right? I know a lot of people say to put peppermint oil on cotton balls, but be careful—essential oils are toxic to cats, especially peppermint, tea tree, and citrus oils. So skip that. Instead, get a peppermint-based cat-safe cleaner (look for ones that are made specifically for pets) and spray a tiny bit on the floor around the scratcher, not the scratcher itself. The smell will keep pests away without hurting your cat.
Wait, what if you already have pests in your scratcher? Don’t panic, I’ve fixed this plenty of times. First, take the scratcher outside—don’t bring it through your house, that’ll spread the pests. Lay it on a tarp, brush out all the crumbs and fur with that stiff brush, and then let it bake in the sun for 4-6 hours. If it’s a cardboard scratcher, you can even put it in a black plastic bag in the sun—black holds heat, so it gets way hotter, killing any eggs or bugs inside. If it’s a wooden or sisal scratcher, you can scrub it with warm water and a tiny bit of mild soap, then dry it completely in the sun. Once it’s pest-free, go back to all the prevention steps so they don’t come back. And if it’s really bad? Don’t risk it—throw it away. It’s cheaper to replace a scratcher than to have a pest infestation spread to your couch, bed, or other cat stuff.
Now, as a supplier, I’ve also noticed that there are a few mistakes both I and our customers make when choosing scratchers that lead to pest issues. First, don’t buy scratchers that are too small. Wait, how does size matter? If a scratcher is too small, your cat will drag it around the house, which can leave bits of cardboard or sisal on the floor, which attract pests. Also, small scratchers get chewed up faster, leaving more loose fibers. Second, avoid scratchers with hollow centers that are sealed at both ends. Those are like perfect little bug hotels—they’re dark, warm, and have no way to clean out the inside. All our scratchers have an open core, so you can shake out crumbs and fur from the inside. That’s a small design choice, but it makes a huge difference. Third, don’t place the scratcher near food sources. If your cat’s food bowl is next to their scratcher, kibble will spill into the scratcher. If your pantry is nearby, moths will fly in. We always recommend placing scratchers in high-traffic areas (cats love that) but away from food and water stations. That’s a quick fix that most people don’t think about.
Let me also bust a myth real quick—you might have heard that putting cedar chips near the scratcher keeps pests away. Nope. Cedar chips are fine for bedding, but they don’t work for keeping pests out of scratchers. And if your cat chews on them, cedar can be irritating to their respiratory system. So skip that. Another myth: vacuuming around the scratcher will get rid of pests. Vacuuming picks up some, but it doesn’t get all the eggs hidden in gaps. That’s why the weekly dry brushing and shaking is way more important than just vacuuming.
Now, here’s the part that I want to make super clear—all these steps are for keeping your home pest-free AND keeping your cat safe. No harsh chemicals, no dangerous sprays, no stuff that will make your cat sick. Every trick I’ve mentioned is something we use in our own warehouse when we store finished scratchers, because we don’t want pests ruining our products either. And if you’re a fellow cat scratcher supplier, hit me up if you want to chat about design tweaks that make pest prevention easier—we’re always testing new materials, like treated sisal that’s natural and repels mites, but I’ll save that for another post.
Wait, one last pro tip I learned last year when we had a customer who had a roach problem in all her scratchers—she was leaving the scratcher out for her cat 24/7, and it was by the back door where roaches were coming in. We suggested she bring the scratcher inside at night (if it was a covered porch one) and move it further from the door, and use a thin line of food-grade DE. That fixed her problem in two weeks. Turns out, sometimes the solution is just moving the scratcher a few feet.
If you’re here because you’re looking for a new cat scratcher that’s built with pest prevention in mind—well, I can help with that. We make scratchers that are sealed properly, have open cores for easy cleaning, use tight sisal winding, and are made with non-toxic, natural materials that don’t attract pests. No cheap frayed edges, no hidden gaps. Our customers tell us they haven’t had a pest issue since they switched to our products, and that’s what I care about most—happy cats, happy homes, no bugs in the scratchers.
If you’re interested in chatting more about custom orders, bulk pricing for shelters or pet stores, or just picking my brain about cat scratcher pest stuff, feel free to reach out. I’m always down to help a fellow cat parent or small business owner.
Crystal Cat Litter References:
- University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. (2022). Pests of Stored Products. UC IPM.
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). (2023). Non-Toxic Pest Control for Pets. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Journal of Economic Entomology. (2021). Efficacy of Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth Against Common Household Pests in Residential Settings. Entomological Society of America.
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. (2022). Safe Cleaning Practices for Pet Environments. Cornell Veterninary Medicine.
Qingdao Ray Pet Products Co., Ltd.
As one of the most professional cat scratcher manufacturers in China, we have world-leading production equipment and strong manufacturing capabilities. Please feel free to buy bulk high quality cat scratcher made in China here from our factory. Good service and low price are available.
Address: B401 Zhongtie Qingdao Plaza No.385, Dunhua Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
E-mail: Karen.liu@ray-pet.com
WebSite: https://www.ray-pet.com/
