Protecting Your Home: Is Pest Control Safe for Pets & Kids?
So you have a pest problem, and you’re looking for solutions. But is pest control safe for pets and kids in your house? It’s no secret that pesticides play a role in pest control, and many people have concerns about exposing their families to these chemicals.
Your concerns are justified.
Luckily, with over 40 years of experience, our team at Clint Miller Exterminating can answer any of your questions or concerns. Today, we’ll take the time to answer a very common and important question: “Is pest control safe for pets and children?”
Does Safe Pest Control Exist?
Like most things in life, there is no such thing as 100% safety for pest control. However, that being said, if you work with a skilled pest control company, it only takes a small concentration of pesticides to eliminate pests from your home and yard.
The concentration is so small that it is safe to be sprayed in your home while you’re still in it. Plus, there are environmentally friendly, non-toxic methods your pest control technicians can utilize, known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
So, in general, yes, safe pest control does exist. There are rare cases where more advanced pesticides are needed, which would require you to vacate the home. For example, if you have a severe termite infestation, you may need to tent your home to ensure all the pests are eliminated to avoid dangerous structural damage.
Is Pest Control Safe for Pets & Children?
Often, people are most concerned about their pets and children when it comes to pest control safety. And we get it. Children and pets have a knack for getting into things they’re not supposed to, and they may not know to avoid sprayed areas and pest baits. Luckily, pest control is safe for both your pets and children, especially when you work with a trusted pest control company like Clint Miller Exterminating.
That being said, if you notice any unusual symptoms in your children, cats, dogs, or other pets after a pest control treatment, trust your instincts and call poison control or consult a doctor. It could be an allergic reaction or, in rare cases, your child or pet may have gotten pesticide poisoning from overexposure.
How to Safeguard Your Family
If you want to take extra precautions in protecting your children and pets from pest control, here are some ways you can minimize any risk, no matter how small.
1. Avoid Treated Areas
While you can remain in your home for pest control treatments, you can choose to leave for an hour or two after treatment to protect your children and pets. Within this time, the initial potency of the pesticides will fade—still eliminating pests without causing harm to any little hands or paws that may get into the spray.
2. Talk to Your Vet or Doctor
If you’re noticing repeat reactions to pest control, you could have a pet or child with an allergy to the ingredients in the pest control. You can speak with your doctor or vet to see if this is the case and discuss pest control options that are safe for pets and children.
3. Don’t DIY
What may surprise you is that DIY pest control often has more potent poisons than professional treatments. This means that if you try to treat a pest problem yourself, you could be putting your pets and children at risk—and you may not even be treating the root of the issue. Professional, recurring pest control is the best option to safeguard your home from pests and poison exposure.
4. Have a Conversation with Your Pest Control Technician
Ultimately, if you have concerns, speak directly with your pest control technician. They’ll be able to tell you the ingredients they use, the safety methods behind each pest control solution, and adjust their plan to help protect your entire family. Pest control should be personalized to you and your needs—and that includes any safety concerns you may have.
Trust Clint Miller Exterminating to Protect Your Family
If you’re looking for safe pest control solutions that work, Clint Miller Exterminating is here to help. We get to the root of the issue, so you can feel confident that the issue is addressed directly—we don’t just spray and leave.
Whether you have a one-time issue or want long-term protection, our team can make it happen. Get a free quote from us today to protect your family from pest invaders!