Pest control treatments are essential to eliminate unwanted pests that might harm you, your family, and your pets. Although pets can be one of the many reasons for the increase in pests in a home, they are not immune to pests or pesticides.
Although most pesticides these days are not poisonous, yet there is no harm in being cautious and keeping the pets safe. Many people forget that, similar to humans, pets need to keep their distance while a pest control treatment is going on.
6 Tips on Keeping Pets Safe from Pest Control Treatment
Pest control treatment is necessary to terminate insects like ants, mosquitoes, cockroaches, termites, bed bugs, fleas, beetles, etc.
1. Use Pet-Friendly Pesticides
If you are hiring professional pest control services or doing it on your own, you need to ensure that the pesticides used are safe for your pets.
You need to consult your pest control operators. You need to ask them about your pets and their conditions. Let them know about your pets and their conditions. They can also suggest ways to keep your pets safe.
If you are doing pest control by yourself, then before purchasing any pesticide, read the labels. If on the label, it is mentioned that it can be harmful to pets, avoid using them around your pets.
2. Keep the Pets Safe
Keeping the pets safe during the pest control operation is your responsibility. Pets like cats and dogs can run around and get into the infested area.
You need to seal the area and keep your pets away. You can let them be outside and ensure they don’t come in. You can also keep them in a safe, confined room. Moreover, you can hire a pet sitter to look after your pets while the pest control operation is taking place.
Alternatively, you can send your pets to someone else’s home who can look after them. Depending on how long your pet should stay away from the infested area, you can also take them to play out.
3. Cover or Move Tanks
Pets like fishes, reptiles, hamsters, birds, etc., can also be affected due to pesticides. Fishes are very sensitive to pesticides. The smallest droplets or sprays can be hazardous for these small animals. Pets that stay in cages or tanks also need to be removed from the area of pest control treatment.
You can cover the tank with a towel if it is impossible for you to remove the tanks. Otherwise, remove them and put them in a secure place where the pesticides cannot get in.
4. Keep Pet Food Safe
Put your pet food in airtight containers. Whether it is cat food, dog food, wax worms, seeds, or vegetables – all pet foods need to be covered and stored in a secured place, especially during the pest control treatment. It prevents pesticides from getting in contact with your pet foods. Moreover, pet foods can attract rodents and other insects. Keeping the food in a sealed or airtight container can also prevent infestation.
Moreover, you should also remove your pet’s food bowl, water container, and toys from the infested area while pest control treatment is underway. You can also clean the bowls after the procedure is complete.
5. Ventilate Properly
Do not let your pets get in contact with the pesticides after the treatment. Even if the treatment ends, there could be a residue of toxic elements.
These might not necessarily harm humans, but pets can be affected. Moreover, pets can become more curious and sniff or lick those things. Therefore, it is best to let the area rest an extra hour or two after the pest treatment. Ensure that treatment is totally dry and there is proper ventilation. The space should be surrounded by fresh air before letting your pets in.
6. Use Baits Carefully
Sometimes, you need to use baits to get rid of unwanted insects or rodents. However, make sure you place the baits out of the reach of your pets. If the pets get too close to the poisonous baits or consume them, they could fall ill.
It is a challenging task to refrain pets from getting close to baits. Pets like dogs and cats are inquisitive, and they might get in contact with the baits. In such cases, take your pet to the vet immediately.
Tips on Keeping Your Pets Safe from Pests
Pest control treatment is necessary for households as well as commercial spaces. This procedure is primarily needed to eliminate pests in old houses, residential and commercial kitchens, dining areas, living spaces, etc. Therefore, there is no alternative to pest control treatments.
Then again, insects or rodents are more likely to arise when you have pets in your house. It is best to follow some regulations to avoid or minimize the infestation of pests.
- As mentioned earlier, you should keep pet food in an airtight container to prevent the attraction of insects and rodents.
- Resealable plastic bags should be avoided for storing pet food as a rodent can chew them and get into the food.
- Put your pet’s food and water bowl clean and away once done eating.
- Do not feed your pets outside. Rats, cockroaches. Ants, etc., can follow the trail and get inside your home.
- If you have a dog door, ensure that it is pest-proof.
- Keep your pets’ beds and toys clean by washing or cleaning them frequently.
Conclusion
It is better to be safe than sorry. The smallest amount of pesticide can be harmful to your loving animal. Different animals have different tolerance levels, so keeping them safe should be your priority when a pest control operation is underway, no matter what type of pet you own.
