No one likes to open a cupboard door and find mice or see ants crawling on their kitchen countertops. But pests are a common problem in domestic settings, however. And you’ll want to do what you can to keep them from infesting your home. If you have kids and pets, you’ll need to be extra careful with how you go about taking care of pest problems. Pet-safe or non-toxic products are among the latest strategies to get the job done. And for North Carolina families, these innovations are keeping everyone in your household safer.
Read on to learn more about the latest family-safe pest strategies!
Choosing Safer Alternatives
For families with children and pets, pest management methods should prioritize safety. The traditional pesticides that have dominated the field for decades can be toxic, leading to the potential for poisoning and other debilitating impacts. Eco-friendly choices offer a better, healthier solution. They are safe to apply to surfaces and landscaping, even if you have children or dogs running around the house.
Traditional pesticides on the market are full of organophosphates or synthetic pyrethroids. These chemicals can harm the nervous system and trigger unwanted changes in blood pressure. They can also cause sweating, blurred vision, and respiratory issues. With the availability of less toxic options, it’s easy to make the switch, and you won’t compromise quality by doing so.
Insect growth regulators and botanical insecticides are among the safer alternatives gaining traction among homeowners today. The latter option uses natural plant sources, including essential oils, in its ingredient lists. Either option, along with baits and traps, provides a safer solution to controlling pests.
Determining Application Zones
While the product itself is important, so is the location in which it’s applied. For optimal safety, you’ll want to be selective about where pesticide alternatives are sprayed. Keep them away from kid-focused areas, like play spaces and cribs, for example. And avoid applying products right before play time or in food prep areas. It’s wise to check the drying time for products before applying them, as well. You might only need to wait 15-20 minutes for fast-drying products to be kid-safe.
Additionally, check the ventilation requirements. Just as paint requires good ventilation, so, too, does a pest management treatment. Keep windows open for indoor applications if you’re trying to eradicate an ant problem. And stick with safer misting systems for outdoor treatments, particularly in locations like North Carolina.
Yes, the mosquitoes will be potent in southern locations, but you’ll want to be mindful of pets and people around you, as well. Misting systems enable a more targeted approach to pest control, and eco-friendly options are plentiful.
Focus on Long-Term Prevention
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is one of the best approaches to dealing with pests today. Traditional methods rely on ongoing spraying, while IPM uses a more focused approach that starts with regular inspections. Skilled pest management experts can find pest entry points and determine the next steps in your treatment.
Sealing cracks or eliminating food sources, for instance, can help prevent future attacks. Traps, as opposed to sprays, can serve as a less toxic way to keep predatory pests away. And with fewer chemicals in the mix, children and pets won’t be susceptible to the ill effects of chemical exposure after today’s treatments. Ultimately, it’s important to find a pest control expert who knows how to administer an IPM approach.
Make sure to choose licensed providers with experience in pest control. They should have insurance and be familiar with implementing low-impact pest control solutions. Even better, the best companies will offer free consultations to help you select the safest and most effective pest management solutions. When in doubt, look on search engines to find highly-rated companies with proven results.
Choose the Best Pest Management Strategy
Today’s families in North Carolina and other states want safe yet effective pest control treatments. Solutions should be family-safe, with better ingredients and clear application guidelines that put the safety of kids and pets first. It doesn’t matter if you’re battling fleas or mice, and it doesn’t matter if your pests are indoors or outdoors. You need a treatment that can control the problem without harming the children and pets that matter to you most.
