Is pest control treatment safe for children and pets? A lot of the products used are labeled to use in veterinary clinics, hospitals and are safe around children and pets. There's a reason that bugs and...
There's a reason that bugs and insects are commonly referred to pests. Outside of the spiders that help control the insect and bug population with a web and a hearty appetite, most insects are and will continue to be considered pests to the human population.
Naturally, whenever something bothers us, our first instinct would be to terminate the problem. And for years, we as consumers have terminated this problem simply by spraying a few pesticides or insecticides in strategic locations to help reduce the bug population. But, as more and more studies have been done on the effects of pesticides, many consumers and homeowners are looking for healthier and safer ways to de-bug their homes.
Two of the main reasons why homeowners have started to look for safer ways to remove insects and bugs from their homes are their children and pets. Unlike adults, children and pets spend more time on the ground and floors where pesticide residue will often build. This allows them to be more vulnerable to any side effects that pesticides may cause.
ABC Pest and Lawn has been in the pest control business since 1949. Janis Reed has been the training director at ABC Pest and Lawn Service in Austin, Texas, for five years. Reed said that the products used in and around homes have been tested several times for safety precautions, but, checking with a pest control professional is always a good option.
"A lot of the products we use are labeled to use in veterinary clinics or hospitals," she said. "They're a lot of the same products that you get and apply on your animal for flea and tick control, so they have obviously been tested. And from what I know, these products do not have negative impacts on many animals. There are some exceptions. Again, if you're concerned about that, I would highly recommend you let your pest control company know and ask a lot of questions."
Some of the questions that Reed and other experts suggest that consumers and homeowners ask the pest control professional revolve solely around the type of pest control they would need for their home. Experts will tell consumers that they should choose their type of insect and pest control based on their environment. If the homeowner is single and has no kids or pets, then spraying may not be a bad option. But if you live in a home with kids and pets, then the best way to ensure that they are safe from pesticides is to find alternate ways to deal with your insect and bug problems.
One way to safely rid your home of insects and bugs is by using the Integrated Pest Management system. According to Bill Baue, a writer who has written several articles on pest control without pesticides, the IPM is more a mindset or long-term strategy than a specific physical solution to pest problems. It requires a number of steps to be taken to reach the pest control goal and to subsequently maintain the outcome. IPM relies on common sense. The "spray and pray" mentality seeks to eradicate all pests,an impossible goal. IPM seeks to eliminate the root causes of pest problems in order to reduce pest numbers to a tolerable minimum.
