Pest Control: Is it Safe When You Have a Baby in the House

It’s one of the greatest quandaries for parents: what to do about pest control when you have a baby, or young children in the house? Because a pest infestation can hit at any time. Regardless of whether vulnerable people are in residence. And it doesn’t matter what type of pest you’re dealing with – rats, mice, termites, cockroaches, fleas or ants – once they become a problem you want to get rid of them as soon as possible. Largely because they pose a potential health risk for your family. But then you face the question: what’s more dangerous for my children; the pests or the treatments used to control them?

If you’re a mom or dad asking that question now, here’s the information you need to help you make an informed decision.

Important information about pests and pest control for parents

What are the risks?

Pests

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different pests that could become a problem in your North Carolina home. They range from the relatively innocuous, like centipedes and ladybugs. To those that bite, such as certain types of spider and snake. To disease carriers – mosquitos, ticks – and those that trigger allergies and asthma, such as cockroaches. And finally, we have the homewreckers: termites are the most obvious here, but bats, opossum and squirrels can also cause serious trouble.

Each category of pest comes with its own risks. Obviously, if you have a coppermouth in your laundry room, you want to get your children out of there stat. But the less obvious pests; the cockroaches, the mites, flies and mice all leave scat behind. And they all shed skin. And these are the things that spread diseases and trigger allergies. Some of which have the potential to be seriously harmful. Including e. coli, salmonella and severe asthma attacks. So, obviously, you don’t want them to remain in your home any longer than they need to be.

Pest control

Pesticides have enormous potential to be harmful. Particularly for babies and small children. Partly because younger children are more likely to be exposed to the chemicals because they spend more time at ground level, touching surfaces that most adults avoid. And partly because their immune systems are still developing.

But not all pest control solutions involve toxic chemicals.

So, yes, pesticides can be harmful for babies. But it is possible to find safer solutions that can work in family homes. You just need to talk to pest management experts to find the best green pest control for your needs.

How can you approach pest control if you have kids in the house?

Your first instinct if you have a baby and discover pests in your house is probably to up sticks and decamp. Leaving your home behind until the problem is under control and the solutions have had chance to clear. And that’s kind of understandable. But it doesn’t necessarily need to be that way.

Noosa Pest Management specialise in botanical pest control. This means that we will always exhaust all non-synthetic-chemical pest solutions to remove your infestations and find long-term workable solutions for you. We do this through the use of naturally occurring insecticides, the physical removal of larger pests and identifying areas of your home where pests are gaining entry and recommending steps to prevent them from coming back.

These are some of the methods we use for the most common pest management problems we face in North Carolina.

• Bedbugs – Traditional bedbug treatments are highly toxic. And they can be extremely dangerous to young children. With high heat exposure treatments, no chemicals are used. Your family only needs to vacate your home for a few hours – usually just four. Other options are also available.
• Termites – With the irreparable damage a termite infestation can do to your home, you can’t take any risks. But there are green options available. The safest approach to termites when you have babies in the home is to avoid sprays and dusts. Liquid treatments stay where you need them to. Which makes it easier to keep children away from contaminated areas.
• Bats – As a protected species, you need a licence to handle bats anyway. You can’t just put down bait. And if you did, you’d regret it as your attic filled with corpses. Our team will safely remove bats for you, without need for any toxic substances.
• Cockroaches, ants, flies, mites – Most of these creatures have naturally occurring deterrents in the wild. Noosa Pest Management employ these organic solutions on a larger scale to free your home of unwanted guests.

Is it possible to use baby-safe pest control solutions at home?

Pest control can seem expensive and a lot of people are inclined to take a DIY approach. This is possible in some instances. However, it is always advisable to only use paediatrician-approved solutions.

If you do decide to take the DIY option, just remember that even non-professional solutions can be toxic to children and babies. So, look for organic alternatives, seek clinical approval and minimise your child’s exposure to the treatment.

And remember that DIY solutions are not always as affective as you might hope them to be – leaving beer out for cockroaches is kind of a mess waiting to happen and might end up inviting ants into your home!

Of course, the safest way to keep your home pest-free is to take steps to keep the critters out in the first place. So:

• Check the seals on all doors, windows and around pipework
• Make sure your screens are fully intact
• Routinely inspect your foundations and attic
• Remove waste food
• Keep your kitchen clean and tidy, clearing away any spillages and keeping all uneaten food in sealed containers
• Keep your trash properly sealed
• Vacuum regularly
• Clean under large appliances regularly, especially in the kitchen
• Clear any waste from around the outside of your home

Find a trusted pest control provider

There are times when you just can’t manage pest control yourself. And when you have babies or young children in the family, it’s probably a good idea not to try. Just in case. As Charlotte pest control experts, Noosa specialises in botanical pest control because we believe that it’s the right thing for everyone. For the environment. For you and your family. And for the world at large. We will never endanger your family. And we will always find the right solution for you.

If you have any pest control concerns that you think Noosa might be able to help you with, contact us today: 704-499-9922