Pest Control with a Baby Around – How to Go for It

If pest control has been on your mind lately, but you have a baby in the house, you will have to be extremely careful. Pesticides come in many forms – bug sprays, weed killer, insect repellent, flea shampoo, rat poison are some of them. They are all dangerous for babies. Exposure to pesticide happens through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation. Hence, it is suggested that you should keep your baby away for minimum two to seven days when pest control is being done. However, herbal pest control is considered safe for babies. But it is wise to keep your baby away.

Is Pest Control Safe for Babies?

Infants are prone to health problems as their immunity is low. Hence, the risk of being affected by the harmful effects of toxins is more. Pesticides are very strong and contain harmful chemicals. Some pesticides may even lead to learning disabilities, childhood cancers, and asthma in children. In order to minimise the exposure, vacating the house and moving to a local park when the treatment is being done is a precautionary measure that you can take as parents.

At the same time, you need to ensure that pest control is done appropriately because incorrect practices can lead to more issues. Let’s take a look at them.

Risks Associated With Wrong Pest Control Practices

When kids toddle around the house, you must opt for pest control services that are baby safe and child-friendly. Some risks with incorrect pest control practices are mentioned below:

• Some products are not environment-friendly and contain strong chemicals. These chemicals may harm the immune system of newborn babies as their tolerance level is extremely low.
• If pest control products are incorrectly and improperly labelled, it may be mistakenly consumed by infants and toddlers thinking it to be some edible product.
• There is also a high health risk associated with poor knowledge of natural pest-controlling methods. If babies put things lying around the house in their mouth, it may cause a major risk.
• A child may suffer from childhood cancer or learning disability if the dangerous effects of side effects are not considered.
• If you use home remedies and your child is exposed to the pesticide, it may cause health problems if inhaled or touched by the skin.

Tips to Minimise Risks of Pest Control on Infants

Certain tips, if borne in mind, can help minimise the risk of pest control in infants.

• Keep the common household pesticides out of children’s reach.
• Install safety latches on cabinets where pesticides are locked up.
• Read the directions written on the label carefully before using any product.
• The container must be tightly sealed with child-resistant packaging after every use.
• Avoid storing pesticides in containers which can be mistaken for some drink or food.
• Ask any questions you may have to the pest control company, such as the minimum number of hours it will take for pest control, its effectiveness, cleaning precautions, etc.

How to Choose a Baby Safe Pest Control Company

Sometimes premises are fumigated or disinfected before they are occupied. But is fumigation safe for babies? When looking for a pest control company, choose a company that uses baby-safe pest control methods. Here is what you should keep in mind when selecting a pest control company:

• The company employees should be trained and certified with knowledge of the products before servicing your house.
• Do not compromise on the cost and hire a professional from a company that ensures baby-safe pest control.
• Ensure that the employees will use only child-friendly and natural pest control treatments while servicing.
• Do ask whether the company provides preventive steps if the babies are around.
• Ensure that you inform the company employees about the presence of a pregnant mother or newborn baby so that they do not allow them to inhale the pesticides.

If you have tried natural means or other things available in the market to get rid of pests, but nothing seems to work, you will have to go with pest control. Professional pest control companies use specialised equipment and measured amounts of pesticides to reduce health risks. Therefore, it is best that you opt for a professional pest control company that use child-safe pest control products or keep your baby at a safe location till pest control is being done, and the house is ready for your tiny tot to return.

Also Read: Checklist for Baby Proofing your House