There is nothing more than any parent wants to do more than protect their children. And for their young ones to feel secure. Whether this is from the Boogey Man or something more realistic like the dangers from household pests. It’s also important to keep your children safe from the effects of the methods you use to control pests.

When protective parents are concerned, pest control technicians often have to answer the same frequently asked questions, because, as caregivers, we all want to make sure our children aren’t being exposed to dangerous pest control methods.

We know you all have a lot of concerns about this topic, so we asked London experts Empire Pest Control what their most frequently asked question were, in particular, those questions coming from parents of young children. Listed below are a handful of questions that are heard most often…

Do professionals always use pesticides? I’ve heard that they are dangerous.

Pest killing chemicals are strong and do have the potential to be dangerous if they are used incorrectly and misapplied. If you absolutely need them, your technician will advise you on when it is safe to enter your home after treatment, and what precautions to take.

However, pest controllers aren’t always as eager to use these chemicals as most people are led to believe. There are lots of different techniques available to them that involve little to no pesticide use at all.

I don’t want to use dangerous traps or poisons with young children around. What do I do?

The riskiest traps around children are spring trap and snap traps, where little fingers might get hurt if accessed. There is also potential harm from baiting traps with poison or leaving down food laced with rodenticides. In terms of traps, live capture traps baited with peanut butter present little harm to children. If you must use poison, you can also get traps that lock and the bait inside is only accessible with a key.

What are other chemical-free options available for a pest infestation?

The method that has proven safest yet effective for rodent control is to deter them with ultrasonic plug-in devices and strong scents. An essential oil can be used or fabric softener sheets, as mice are very sensitive to strong smells. Bed bugs can be eradicated completely with a high enough temperature.

A completely non-toxic program for bed bugs combines the use of your washing machine’s high setting and professional heat treatments for the whole house. Most pest companies aim at providing the most environmentally friendly solution possible nowadays.

Do I need to be careful around some home pest control remedies?

Be mindful when using some essential oils around children and pets, as the oil can be a health hazard if ingested internally or when it makes contact with their skin or eyes.

To some pets, some homemade solutions and essential oils can also pose a serious health risk, so check with a vet before using them in the environment.

I’ve heard about prevention but I’m not sure what that involves. What can I do?

The best way to put a stop to a pest infestation is to start with exclusion and prevention. Find all the access points pests can use around your home and seal them up.

This will solve a huge part of the problem without needing to use any chemicals. Keeping things clutter free and spotlessly clean is also paramount. Eliminating the attraction for pests of food goes a long way. You can always hire a pest control service like Averse Pest Control and make sure to leave this job to professionals in order to have a clean home.

What steps can I take to limit my child’s exposure to my pets’ pests?

You can purchase pet collars that prevent fleas and ticks. Keeping your garden well maintained also helps the fight against pests like ticks, fleas that pets bring in. Following a great pest prevention routine coupled with a professional pest management program will keep you pests pets at bay. Treating your pets for fleas before the fleas become an infestation in your home is crucial.

We hope that answering some of these questions has helped you begin to learn about ways to manage pest control situations in the most effective way without worrying about the health and safety of your children.