ARE PEST CONTROL TREATMENTS SAFE AROUND CHILDREN AND PETS?

The most common question we get, especially when it comes to treating a home, is Are Pest Control Treatments Safe Around Children and Pets?

And we understand why this question is so important,

If you have pets or small children, you know first-hand how curious they can be. They miraculously manage to get into everything and anything, and much of what they discover ends up on them or in their mouths. Pets especially, are known for consuming odd items for unknown reasons - ever hear of cats eating socks? It’s true!

Because the term ‘pest control’ is commonly synonymous with using toxic and harmful chemicals, people are concerned that pest control treatments, especially baits and sprays, can put children and pets in danger if they're exposed to it.

It doesn’t help that some pest control products have a strong unpleasant odour upon application, which can raise concerns over how safe they actually are, especially if the homeowner is asked to leave their home during the application - It smells this bad and I have to leave??? This cannot be safe! Just so you know, this odour dissipates once the product dries 2-3 hours later and leaves a residue that is only unsafe for the pest issue it is designed to address. The reason you were asked to leave during the application is for your own comfort. BTW - a good pest control professional would have taken the time to explain this to you.

If you’re putting off pest control efforts or services because you are concerned about the safety of pest control, first remember that pests can be harmful to your pet, child, and you. Pests like mice, rats and cockroaches can cause health issues and spread diseases. Bed Bugs bite, and feed on human and animal blood. Even more important, solving pest issues often takes time. The longer you allow a pest issue to persist, the bigger it gets. In some cases it also becomes more difficult  to resolve, and takes even more time.

So, is pest control really safe around children and pets?

Yes, if the pest control solution is designed, administered and managed by a professional, licensed pest control company, like Environmental Pest Control:

1. They are experts on the harbourage areas of rats, mice, bugs and insects.
   • They know where to spray or put traps and bait, which is out of the way where children and pets play or frequent.
   • They know what products to use, how to handle them safety, and how to calculate and administer the right amount for a specific pest issue.
2. They use products that are approved by Health Canada.
3. They understand and follow Heath Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s (PRMA) regulations for responsible pesticide use.

While we always encourage our customers to pest proof their homes year-round, we do not encourage DIY pest control approaches.

• DIY pest control, whether ‘home-made’ or ‘off the shelf’, are not always safe, even when best efforts are made to be safe.
• These ‘solutions’ often include bleach, vinegar, food grade Diatomaceous Earth (D.E) and fiberglass particles, all of which can be unsafe for anyone if mishandled or inhaled. They can burn or damage lungs, cause breathing sensitives or trigger respiratory distress.
• By undertaking DIY pest control you're putting everyone in your home at risk, especially yourself. 

The safest (and most effective) pest control for anyone is ongoing preventative pest-proofing and working with a licensed pest management professional when pest issues arise and persist.

Environmental Pest Control has always been 100% committed to delivering safe and effective pest management solutions. All of the products we use have been approved by Health Canada.

Learn more about our commitment to health & safety and our green pest management system.