{"id":3507,"date":"2026-10-08T14:15:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T06:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gonzalezgalindo.com\/blog\/?p=3507"},"modified":"2026-10-08T14:15:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T06:15:39","slug":"how-to-prevent-pests-from-getting-into-a-cat-scratcher-40db-b31bb8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gonzalezgalindo.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/08\/how-to-prevent-pests-from-getting-into-a-cat-scratcher-40db-b31bb8\/","title":{"rendered":"How to prevent pests from getting into a cat scratcher?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey guys, let\u2019s cut to the chase\u2014if you\u2019re a cat scratcher supplier, or just a cat parent who\u2019s ever dealt with a bug infestation in your feline\u2019s favorite scratch spot, you know how annoying it is. I\u2019ve been in this game for years, sending high-quality scratchers to homes across the country, and one question I get ALL the time is: \u201cHow do I keep pests out of these things?\u201d I\u2019ve tested every trick in the book (some worked, some\u2026 let\u2019s just say I learned the hard way), so today I\u2019m 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\u2014just stuff that actually works, from someone who\u2019s actually in the cat scratcher business. Cat Scratcher<\/a><\/p>\n

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First off, let\u2019s talk about why scratchers are such pest magnets in the first place. It\u2019s 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\u2014but they\u2019re 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\u2019ll hang out in those gaps for months. Mites? They love the warm, humid environment that\u2019s 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\u2019s way better than trying to kill them after they move in.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the most important part\u2014quality control when you\u2019re making (or buying) scratchers, which is why I care so much as a supplier. Wait, why does this matter if you\u2019re 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 \u201cpest check\u201d before it leaves our warehouse, so here\u2019s what we do that you can copy, too. First, seal all the seams properly. Cardboard scratchers, for example\u2014when 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\u2019ll hurt cats, promise) to seal all the cut edges, so crumbs and fur can\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Next, let\u2019s talk about cleaning\u2014because 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\u2019s the right way to clean a scratcher, not the way that just pushes crumbs deeper. First, do a weekly \u201cdry clean\u201d with a stiff brush\u2014think 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\u2019s non-negotiable\u2014if 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\u2014some 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\u2019t drench it\u2014too 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\u2019s science\u2014ultraviolet rays from the sun break down the exoskeletons of roaches and mites, and dry out any moisture that mold needs. Plus, it\u2019s free and way safer than any chemical spray. Never use bug spray on the scratcher, by the way\u2014cats groom themselves with their tongues, and they\u2019ll lick that chemical residue off the scratcher. That\u2019s a big no-no, I can\u2019t stress that enough.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s talk about barrier methods\u2014stuff you can put around the scratcher to keep pests from even getting near it. This is especially helpful if your cat\u2019s scratcher is in a closet, near a pantry, or on a floor where ants or roaches are already hanging out. The best barrier I\u2019ve found is diatomaceous earth (DE)\u2014but 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\u2019s not a poison\u2014it 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\u2019t pile it on\u2014cats 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\u2019t cross water, so that stops them from climbing up. Just make sure the tray is shallow, so your cat doesn\u2019t knock it over or step in it (cats hate wet paws, and we don\u2019t want that). And for roaches? They don\u2019t like the smell of peppermint, right? I know a lot of people say to put peppermint oil on cotton balls, but be careful\u2014essential 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.<\/p>\n

Wait, what if you already have pests in your scratcher? Don\u2019t panic, I\u2019ve fixed this plenty of times. First, take the scratcher outside\u2014don\u2019t bring it through your house, that\u2019ll 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\u2019s a cardboard scratcher, you can even put it in a black plastic bag in the sun\u2014black holds heat, so it gets way hotter, killing any eggs or bugs inside. If it\u2019s 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\u2019s pest-free, go back to all the prevention steps so they don\u2019t come back. And if it\u2019s really bad? Don\u2019t risk it\u2014throw it away. It\u2019s cheaper to replace a scratcher than to have a pest infestation spread to your couch, bed, or other cat stuff.<\/p>\n

Now, as a supplier, I\u2019ve also noticed that there are a few mistakes both I and our customers make when choosing scratchers that lead to pest issues. First, don\u2019t 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\u2014they\u2019re 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\u2019s a small design choice, but it makes a huge difference. Third, don\u2019t place the scratcher near food sources. If your cat\u2019s 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\u2019s a quick fix that most people don\u2019t think about.<\/p>\n

Let me also bust a myth real quick\u2014you might have heard that putting cedar chips near the scratcher keeps pests away. Nope. Cedar chips are fine for bedding, but they don\u2019t 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\u2019t get all the eggs hidden in gaps. That\u2019s why the weekly dry brushing and shaking is way more important than just vacuuming.<\/p>\n

Now, here\u2019s the part that I want to make super clear\u2014all 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\u2019ve mentioned is something we use in our own warehouse when we store finished scratchers, because we don\u2019t want pests ruining our products either. And if you\u2019re a fellow cat scratcher supplier, hit me up if you want to chat about design tweaks that make pest prevention easier\u2014we\u2019re always testing new materials, like treated sisal that\u2019s natural and repels mites, but I\u2019ll save that for another post.<\/p>\n

Wait, one last pro tip I learned last year when we had a customer who had a roach problem in all her scratchers\u2014she 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.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re here because you\u2019re looking for a new cat scratcher that\u2019s built with pest prevention in mind\u2014well, 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\u2019t attract pests. No cheap frayed edges, no hidden gaps. Our customers tell us they haven\u2019t had a pest issue since they switched to our products, and that\u2019s what I care about most\u2014happy cats, happy homes, no bugs in the scratchers.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re 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\u2019m always down to help a fellow cat parent or small business owner.<\/p>\n

Crystal Cat Litter<\/a> References:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. (2022). Pests of Stored Products. UC IPM.<\/li>\n
  2. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). (2023). Non-Toxic Pest Control for Pets. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.<\/li>\n
  3. Journal of Economic Entomology. (2021). Efficacy of Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth Against Common Household Pests in Residential Settings. Entomological Society of America.<\/li>\n
  4. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. (2022). Safe Cleaning Practices for Pet Environments. Cornell Veterninary Medicine.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Qingdao Ray Pet Products Co., Ltd.<\/a>
    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\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Hey guys, let\u2019s cut to the chase\u2014if you\u2019re a cat scratcher supplier, or just a cat … How to prevent pests from getting into a cat scratcher?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":287,"featured_media":3507,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3470],"class_list":["post-3507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-cat-scratcher-40ed-b378e4"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gonzalezgalindo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3507","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gonzalezgalindo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gonzalezgalindo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gonzalezgalindo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/287"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gonzalezgalindo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3507"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gonzalezgalindo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3507\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gonzalezgalindo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gonzalezgalindo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gonzalezgalindo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gonzalezgalindo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}