Are Pest Control Services Safe For Pets?

Are Pest Control Services Safe For Pets?

There’s a lot to think about when you schedule professional pest control services. Any pest control company worth their salt should clearly inform you of everything you need to know before the technician arrives for their initial service. One question that may be on your mind — if you have furry friends in the house — is if these treatments are pet-friendly.

After all, dogs and cats are sometimes too curious for their own good and can get into trouble if they accidentally ingest a toxic substance. Let’s see if pest treatments are dangerous for animals before we dive into the best ways to keep your pets safe during a pest control service.

Pets & Pests

First of all, it’s important to note that the products used by pest control professionals today aren’t the dangerous chemicals from over 50 years ago. The EPA banned DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) in the 1970s because of the major health risks it started to pose towards humans, wildlife, and the environment. While pesticides are still largely chemical-based today, they aren’t nearly as worrisome as the ones containing DDT.

Secondly, pest control treatments aren’t lethal for people and pets if they are applied correctly. Technicians from reputable companies are properly trained in the safest ways to apply their treatments. They should know exactly how much product to use and where to apply it, depending on the pest problem at hand. The technician should also inform the customer of the treated locations and the steps to take after the service.

In general, pest control services are completely safe for people and pets alike. If the technicians are careful and the treatments are left alone afterwards, there is nothing to worry about. The important thing is to take care of your pets before, during, and after the service, which is where we get into the necessary tasks.

Before The Service

Preparation is important when it comes to pest control. When you’re scheduling and getting ready for the service, keep these suggestions in mind. Trust us, it’ll make the service easier on you, your pets, and the technician!

• Look into companies that advertise family-friendly and pet-friendly services. Like we said, it’s still wise to stay away from treated areas right after the service. But it’s still good to have a company that advertises the care they take when treating homes filled with people and pets.

• Tell the company about your pets when you schedule the initial service. This is more for dog owners and cat owners, but it’s a good idea if you have any type of pet. You can ask if there’s anything specific the team needs you to do regarding your pet, like if you need to keep your pet in a certain area of the house during the service.

• Move your pet’s belongings away from the necessary areas. If you know that the technician is treating the exterior of your home, move your pet’s items indoors (and vice versa). You don’t have to completely clear the area, but the most important items to relocate are the food and water bowls, blankets, and bedding.

• Consider boarding if it’s a major treatment. It might be easier in the long run if your dog or cat isn’t home during the service in certain cases. Some pest problems, like bed bugs, require major treatments that can cause your pet stress. If you want your pet to be away from the scene — or if you’re at work all day — consider putting them in a kennel or boarding them during the service.

During The Service

Once the technician arrives and begins the service, your work is not done as a pet parent. Keeping your pet comfortable and safe is essential during the service. As long as they’re not in the area the technician needs to access, you are good to go!

• Make sure your pet’s needs are met. This one is a combination of “before the service” and “during the service,” but we wanted to include it here. If your pet is indoors or away from their usual area, make sure they use the bathroom before they’re confined to the new space. Give them enough water for the duration of the service, and feed them before the service if they haven’t eaten yet.

• Keep pets distracted. For defensive dogs and curious cats, it’s best to keep them away from any windows that let them see the technician. Many of our furry friends are quite protective of their home, even when they don’t need to be. Make sure your dog or cat has enough toys to keep them occupied. A couple of treats for them to munch on wouldn’t hurt either!

• Cover or move cages. If you have a pet that’s restricted to a certain habitat — birds, lizards, fish, guinea pigs, etc. — make sure they are cared for as well. Any tanks or cages in a room that’s treated should be covered. A thick towel or blanket is good for keeping the product out of your pet’s cage. If you’re willing and able, it might be easier to move the enclosure to another room for the time being.

• Close doors and windows that aren’t in use. A simple yet necessary task that’s important whether or not you have pets. Make sure all doors and windows are shut before the service and remain that way throughout. This is especially important if your pets are staying in a room with a window and/or an exterior door.

After The Service

Afterwards, the only tasks left to do are cleaning your pet’s belongings and habitat before they use them. A great technician is careful with their treatments, so you can adapt these tasks to fit your needs after the treatments settle.

• Keep pets in certain areas for a short time. You don’t have to block your pets from the treated areas for the rest of the day, but we suggest keeping them away for about 20 to 30 minutes after the service. This gives the liquid and dust treatments time to settle, as well as time for you to make sure your pets can’t get to any traps and bait stations.

• Air out any treated rooms. If your pet stays in a room that was just treated — especially if they’re in a cage or tank — open the window to that room for an hour or two. This doesn’t impact the treatment, but it does give your pet some clean air to breathe. Make sure the window has a good screen so you don’t accidentally let any bugs inside!

• Wash their belongings if necessary. The majority of your pet’s items were ideally moved earlier, but if they weren’t (or if you want to be extra careful), disinfect everything before your pet uses them. Wash blankets and fabric toys that were near the treated site. Disinfect hard items (food and water bowls, hard toys, etc.) with your soap of choice and allow time to dry.

• Clean floors and hard surfaces. This is another task that’s helpful whether you have pets or not. After leaving enough time for the treatments to dry, clean the floors (not the treated areas) in the rooms that the technician accessed. You can also sanitize any counters that were used, especially in the kitchen. Make sure your furry friends have a cozy area to relax in once you’re finished with any cleaning!

A Note About Poison Ingestion

Dogs and cats ingest substances through their nose, mouth, and skin. This helps them hunt their prey in the wild — or a rogue mouse at home — but it can also hurt them when there’s a poisonous substance in their habitat. Pets are at risk of ingesting pesticides if the treatments didn’t have time to dry or settle before the pet touches it. For example, if your dog or cat lays on a wet spot of liquid treatment, they are at risk of ingesting those chemicals.

As long as you give the treatments ample time to dry and make sure any traps are out of reach, your furry friends are safe. It’s still a good idea to keep an eye on them after the service in case they start showing signs of poison ingestion.

The common symptoms for dogs and cats include:

• Depression
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Tremors
• Loss of appetite
• Excessive thirst
• Diarrhea

It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to our beloved pets. If you see any of these symptoms in your pet after a pest control service, contact your vet immediately. They will either instruct you on what to do or tell you to bring them in for an exam. Another important resource is the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center with its 24/7 hotline and informational website, so we recommend familiarizing yourself with that if you haven’t already.

Protect Your Home (And Pets) With Pointe!

At Pointe Pest Control, we understand the importance of keeping your family and furry friends safe from pests and pesticides. That’s why our licensed technicians complete ongoing training in the most efficient and safe pest control methods. We only use the necessary amount of treatments to effectively fight pests without compromising the safety of everyone else. Our team is happy to address every question and concern you have throughout the pest control process, as your satisfaction with our services is our top priority. Contact us today for more information on our family-friendly pest control services!

Citations

Alves, P. (n.d.). Keeping your pets safe during pest control treatments. Work Wave. Available at https://insights.workwave.com/industry/pest-control/keeping-your-pets-safe-during-pest-control-treatments/ (Accessed on May 23, 2024).

Blaauw, L. (2023, April 11). 5 tips for pet safety during pest control. Rapid Solutions. Available at https://www.rapidsolutions.com.au/2023/04/11/pet-safety-during-pest-control/ (Accessed on May 22, 2024).

DDT — A brief history and status. (2024, March 12). United States EPA. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/ddt-brief-history-and-status

Marsh, J. (2022, August 26). Keeping pets safe during pest control services. Continental Kennel Club, Inc. Available at https://ckcusa.com/blog/2022/august/keeping-pets-safe-during-pest-control-services/ (Accessed on May 22, 2024).