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No, mothballs do not keep bats away. Not only are mothballs completely ineffective when repelling or removing bats, but using them could be illegal, depending on where you live. Remember, bats are federally protected, and it's illegal to use chemicals during the removal process, and mothballs tend to fall into this category.

Gel bait and gel bait traps use poison to kill cockroaches, and aren’t safe to use around pets. Many gel bait traps are called “child-resistant,” but this only means that the traps are hard to rip open for children. Large pets and children are still able to swallow them. If you use gel bait, use it in areas where pets and children can’t access them, such as under a washing machine. Another option is to use glue traps, which don’t contain pesticides and are safe to use around pets. 

Like many pests, fleas hide in dark, sheltered areas, including in the bed. They will seek out crevices in a mattress, so they have easy access to their hosts (you and your pets) as well as somewhere that is warm and hidden. You may also find fleas hiding in carpeting and other furniture.

The best way to ward off roaches is to take preventative measures and stay on top of routine extermination services. Keep them away by cleaning your kitchen free from crumbs, properly storing away food, covering your pet’s food bowl, and reducing moisture in your home to make your house less tempting for roaming cockroaches. Remove clutter—especially cardboard boxes that roaches love to hide in, and replace them with plastic tubs.