When you have a dog, cat, or another pet at home, dealing with pests comes with an important question: Is pest control safe for my pet?
It is a fair concern. Pets explore areas we might overlook and have a habit of sniffing, licking, and chewing things they find. Whatever pests you’re dealing with, you want them handled without creating another concern for your family.
Professional pest control can be approached with your pets in mind. The key is choosing the right treatment and taking the proper precautions before, during, and after service.
At Womack Pest Control, we believe protecting your home also means considering the pets who live there.
What Does “Pet-Safe” Pest Control Mean?
There isn’t one particular product that can be considered “pet-safe.” The best approach would be to use the right treatment that fits the pest problem, applying it carefully, and taking your pets and their habits into consideration.
The type of pet matters, too. Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and many other creatures may react differently. Make sure you let your pest management professional know what kind of pets you have at home.
Also, it is important to know that just because the product is labeled as “natural” or “pet-friendly” does not necessarily mean it is completely safe to use. What really counts is the way you should use the product, the places of application, and following the safety measures.
The goal is simple: control the pest problem while taking reasonable steps to protect the pets that share your home.
Which Pest Control Treatments Are Safer Around Pets?
It all depends on the type of pest and its area of infestation. The pest management professional may apply appropriate pest control measures such as targeted application, trapping, exclusion, or placement of baiting stations without letting the pets come into contact with the applied products.
In case of having a pet with certain special needs, inform your pest management professional about it.
What Should You Do Before and After Treatment?
A few simple precautions can help keep pets away from treated areas.
Before service:
- Tell your pest professional about your pets. Make sure to inform them about the animals you have in your house and where they usually spend time.
- Move pet items. Remove all bowls with food and water, toys, bedding, and other pet supplies from any areas that will be treated.
- Secure your pets. Keep them in an untreated room or outside of the premises, depending on the type of service and your technician’s recommendations.
- Ask about re-entry. Find out when you and your pets can come back to the treated area.
After treatment, follow the specific instructions provided by your pest professional. If you’re told to keep pets away until a treated surface has dried, wait until it has dried before allowing them back.
Do not move bait stations and other equipment used for pest control. If you are not sure whether it is safe for your pet to come back to a certain area, do not allow your pet to access the area before asking your professional for advice.
In case of exposure to a pest control product, contact your vet immediately.
Why DIY Pest Control Can Be Riskier When You Have Pets
When you spot a couple of ants or even a mouse in your house, it can feel natural to turn to a commercial product as the fastest fix. However, pest control is not always an easy process of applying a product to the place where you notice the pest.
You will have to correctly identify the pest, discover its entry point, choose the proper treatment, and apply it properly. Applying the wrong amount of product or mixing products incorrectly creates additional hazards.
Pets can also come into contact with treated surfaces or ingest products they find. The same caution applies to treating pets themselves. Never use a pest control product intended for people or another animal on your pet unless your veterinarian specifically tells you to do so. Products and dosages can differ between species, and using the wrong product can put your pet at risk.
A pest management professional can inspect the property, identify the pest, and determine what actually needs to be treated. This can help limit unnecessary applications while addressing the source of the problem.
A Pet-Conscious Approach to Pest Control
If you have pets, let your pest professional know before service begins. Your pet’s sleeping areas, feeding areas, and other places where they spend time can be useful information when planning treatment.
At Womack Pest Control, we’ve been helping Maryland families protect their homes since 1943. As a fourth-generation, family-owned company, we understand that a home is more than a building. It’s where your family and pets live every day.
If you’re dealing with pests and have questions about treatment around your pets, learn more about our services or contact our team to discuss your concerns.
We’ll help you understand your options and determine the right way to address the pest problem.