IS PEST CONTROL SAFE FOR KIDS AND PETS?

We're often asked if pest control is safe, especially when you have kids or pets.

The answers is No and Yes. 

No, if you are taking a DIY pest control approach that includes vinegar or bleach or D.E. (Diatomaceous Earth) or using off the shelf pest control products, which can also contain D.E. and fibreglass particles. It is not just your kids or pets you're putting at risk – it is also you and others living in your home like elderly parents and anyone with respiratory or health complications. What makes this approach unsafe?

• Inhaling vinegar and bleach can burn your lungs and cause breathing complications.
• Fibreglass particles can become airborne which puts those exposed at risk of ingesting and damaging their lungs. 
• When it comes to using D.E. many use the food grade version as it's been said to be safe for kids, pets and people in general, compared to the non-food grade product. Even if you use food grade D.E., you still need to take safety precautions when administering and be aware that health and respiratory complications are still possible if small children, elderly, smokers, asthmatics or anyone with breathing sensitives or complications are exposed to it.

Yes, if you are working with a licensed pest control professional or pest control company, like York Pest Control. Why?

• We use products that are approved by Health Canada.
• We understand and follow the regulations for responsible pesticide use by Heath Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), who’s responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada.
• We know the harbourage areas of bugs, insects and rodents, so we know where to safely put traps, bait and where to best use product if and when needed.

If you have hired a licensed pest control company and they ask that you leave your home for a 2-3 hour window, this is not because the product being used is unsafe. It is because the product they will be using to address your pest issue has a very unpleasant odour upon application. This smell dissipates once it dries, which often takes 2-3 hours.

If you're looking for the safest and most effective pest control, combine onging pest-proofing to prevent issues AND work with a licensed pest management professional if and when you have pest issues. For pest-proofing tips, visit our Resources section.