Pest control products include insecticides (insect killers), herbicides (weed killers), and fungicides. Learn how to safely use these products to protect your family and the environment.
Prevent accidental poisonings by keeping children and pets out of treated areas until sprays and dust have dried, unless the product label says otherwise. Click here at https://pezzpestcontrol.com/ to learn more.
Keep Children And Pets Out
It’s important to keep children and pets out of areas that have been treated with pest control products. Whether it’s an exterminator who has sprayed your home or you have used over-the-counter pesticides, the chemicals are dangerous and can harm them. Taking simple measures, such as removing food and toys from the area, can prevent your children from being exposed to these toxic substances.
The toxins in some pesticides can enter your respiratory system when they come into contact with your skin or lungs and can cause headaches, nausea, eye irritation, and other side effects. Exposure to these toxins can be especially hazardous for infants and children. They spend a lot of time on the ground and touching things such as furniture bases, where pesticides can easily seep in. These toxins can also be transferred to their mouths when they put their fingers or toys in their mouths.
If possible, choose natural pest control methods that are safer for your family. There are several options available, including mechanical traps that contain no chemicals, barriers to pests such as screens and caulking, repellents and even introducing natural predators such as nematodes and ladybugs into your garden.
It’s vital to read and follow the label directions and safety warnings for any pest control product you use in your home. Always apply pesticides to a targeted area, rather than spraying them over an entire room, and always ventilate the space afterward.
When applying a pesticide, remove children, pets, dishes, and clothing from the treated area and keep them out of the room until it’s safe to return. Check the label for instructions on how long you should remain out of the room, and if you have any doubts, ask your pest control team.
If you are unsure about whether a particular product is safe for children and pets, ask your pest control company or the manufacturer for recommendations suitable for your home. It’s also important to talk to your kids and explain the risks of using pesticides in the house. This will help to educate them and reduce their fear of the pests they are trying to eliminate.
Keep Food And Utensils Covered
Leaving food out or open is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when using pest control products. Even the strongest chemicals won’t continue to work overtime if you leave uncovered food around your home. You should store all food in sealed containers and clean up after meals or snacks to keep pests away.
It’s also a good idea to take out the trash regularly and keep outdoor bins closed to prevent pests from accessing your garbage. Cockroaches and other insects can feed on food scraps in the trash, so keeping it away is a great way to help them avoid becoming an infestation problem.
Other sources of food that should be kept sealed up are magazines, newspapers, and brown paper grocery bags, which can attract cockroaches, rodents, and other pests. You should also be sure to clean the area under large kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators and stoves. This space is a common breeding ground for pests, and cleaning it can help you get rid of them more quickly.
If you have indoor plants, it’s a good idea to move them or cover them during pest control treatments. This will protect them from direct contact with the chemicals used, and it’ll give you a chance to wash them thoroughly afterward, following any suggested waiting period.
Similarly, clothing, bedding, and fabric items can absorb the chemicals that are used during pest control treatments. It’s a good idea to move these items outdoors during treatment and to wash them thoroughly afterward, following any suggested waiting period, so that they can be returned to their original locations safely.
It’s also important to vacuum or mop the floors and surfaces in your home before the pest control company arrives. This will reduce the number of insect eggs that the pests can lay, and it will give the treatment a better chance to be effective. It’s also a good idea to remove as much clutter as possible from rooms where the pest control company will be working, such as the kitchen and bathrooms.
Don’t Mix Pesticides
All pesticides are poisons, and they can be dangerous if improperly handled or used in excess. Most pesticide poisonings, whether to people or pets, are caused by careless use, improper storage, or ignorance by the user.
All chemicals should be stored in a cool, dry place and away from children and pets, and must be kept in their original containers (with labels attached) to prevent accidental exposure or contamination. When mixing pesticides, do so only in well-ventilated areas and never mix more than the amount recommended by the label. Using more than the recommended amount will not make the pests any easier to control. It may also cause plant injury and/or environmental harm.
When spraying outdoors, do not apply pesticides on breezy days when spray drift could harm non-target plants or wildlife. Also, do not spray around bodies of water unless the pesticide is specifically labeled for such use. This is because even small amounts of pesticide can pollute streams, rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water.
Whenever possible, consider using bait traps that attract pests with food and then kill them with an insecticide rather than spraying them to eliminate them. These baits often have tamper-proof lids and are designed to be out of reach of young children and pets. If you must use an aerosol or liquid spray, consider one with low volatility to reduce the chance of fire. Be sure to check for electrical hazards near the area where the product will be applied, as some liquid sprays can cause electrical shock or explosions.
After a pesticide has been applied, it is important to wait the recommended time before cleaning surfaces or washing fabrics that have come into contact with the chemical. This will help minimize the possibility of skin or eye irritation and allow the chemical to dry before anyone goes back into the treated area.
It is also a good idea to wear long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes when handling any type of pesticide, and to use a face mask when applying some types of products. Finally, it is always a good idea to consult the pesticide manufacturer’s label for specific instructions and safety warnings.
Keep Pesticides In Their Original Containers
Pesticides must be stored correctly to prolong their shelf life and protect people, pets, plants, and the environment. Start with the label to determine storage guidelines, especially temperatures. Some chemicals will lose their effectiveness if they freeze, get too hot, or are exposed to excess moisture. Then choose a location for storing pesticides that will protect children and pets, preferably in a locked cabinet or utility room. Avoid storing pesticides near food, potable water, animal feed, medical supplies, protective clothing, garden seeds, fertilizers, or gasoline. This will help prevent contamination of these items by vapors, dust, or spills.
Store pesticides in containers that are made of sturdy materials and have tight-fitting lids. Do not transfer them into soft drink bottles or other containers, which can be mistaken by children for something to eat or drink. It’s also a good idea to make sure the labels remain legible. If the labels aren’t, consider re-writing them or making an extra copy for safekeeping.
Take a regular inventory of your pesticides and remove those that are close to or past their expiration dates. This will help you keep track of the products you have and reduce clutter around your home, which can make them easier to access by children or pets. Store only the amount of pesticide you will use this season; unused products are expensive to dispose of and may contaminate the environment.
If you have a small amount of a liquid pesticide left over, dispose of it by putting it in a tight carton or bag and wrapping it securely with several layers of newspaper. Put the package in a trash can that is covered and scheduled for routine collection, but do not throw it in the backyard or into a drain. This could cause a stormwater spill, interfere with wastewater treatment systems, or pollute local streams, rivers, or lakes.
Any equipment or clothing contaminated with a pesticide should be washed separately from other laundry, first using a hose to rinse the material outdoors. Then launder the garments with hot water and a full wash cycle to eliminate any residue. Line-dry the clothing to minimize the risk of recontamination.