Pest control in the home

Pesticides are chemicals designed to kill or harm pests. They include insecticides for controlling insects, herbicides for weeds, fungicides for fungi and mould, and rodenticides for rodents. Common household pests include insects such as flies, cockroaches and mosquitoes, as well as rodents like mice and rats.

Household pesticides are widely sold and intended for people to use around the home or garden. Being easy to buy does not mean they are harmless. They are toxic and, if used carelessly, can affect the health of the user, their family, their pets and the environment.

Before you reach for a pesticide#

Think carefully about whether using a pesticide is the right approach.

For example, it may not be realistic to expect your property to be completely pest free. Repeated use of pesticides can sometimes be more harmful over the long term than the pests themselves.

A few things to consider:

• Look at non-chemical pest control measures first.
• Identify the pest before you buy a pesticide. What you assume to be rats in your roof, for instance, could be another animal entirely. If you cannot identify the pest, a licensed pest control operator trained in pest identification and management can help.
• Choose the most effective product for your specific problem, and make sure the pesticide is designed for the pest you intend to treat.
• Select the least toxic product available, and use the smallest amount possible.

Using pesticides safely#

All pesticides are toxic and can cause harm if used incorrectly. When using them at home:

• Do not stock up. Buy only as much as you need.
• Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and use the product strictly as directed. Do not exceed the recommended amount, and follow all safety precautions.
• Do not mix pesticides, as you risk an unexpected and potentially dangerous chemical reaction.
• Store pesticides in their original containers with the lid firmly sealed, well out of the reach of children, such as locked in a high cupboard. Never transfer pesticides into containers that children might mistake for food or drink.
• Do not set traps or place baits where children, pets or wildlife can reach them.
• Wear the protective clothing suggested in the instructions, such as rubber gloves, whenever you handle or use a pesticide.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while using a pesticide, and wash your hands afterwards.

Indoors#

When using pesticides indoors, you should always:

• Cover or remove bird cages and fish tanks, and relocate other pets before using aerosol (spray) pesticides. Many pesticides are extremely toxic to birds and fish.
• Remove or cover food, cooking utensils and other personal items in the area to be treated.
• Thoroughly clean kitchen benches before preparing food.
• Avoid applying surface sprays to areas commonly touched, such as furniture. Use surface sprays only in out-of-the-way places like along skirting boards.
• Leave the room while the pesticide is taking effect, then open the windows to clear the air when you return.
• Use pesticides in the right place. Mice, for example, tend to run along skirting boards and under floors. Traps or baits left out in the open may fail to attract the pest and can pose a risk to people and pets.
• Clear up any food scraps when using baits, so the pest is drawn only to the bait. This also means you will need less bait.

Outdoors#

When using pesticides outdoors, you should always:

• Avoid spraying on rainy or windy days. The weather can reduce effectiveness and cause damage to other animals or the environment.
• Avoid watering your garden after applying a pesticide. Check the instructions for how long to wait.
• Watch plants and birds for a few days afterwards to make sure the pesticide is not causing unwanted harm.
• If you have a rainwater tank, take care to prevent overspray onto the guttering and roof. If there is any risk of pesticide residue washing into the tank, divert the collection pipe away from the tank until after the next rainfall.

How pesticides are classified#

Pesticides are classified according to how toxic they are, how they are used and what form they take (for example, a liquid or a spray). These classifications control how readily a product is available to the public, and each category carries a warning printed in large, contrasting lettering on the label.

Always choose the least toxic product available for home use. Some pesticides, such as space sprays, are fast acting: they knock down the pest, then break down quickly. Others, such as surface sprays and termite treatments, linger in the environment for days, weeks or longer after application.

While most pesticides are designed to affect only the target pest, other insects or animals can sometimes be harmed. A bird, for example, may be poisoned if it eats a spider killed by insecticide. This is why it is important to choose a pesticide designed for the pest you want to treat, follow the label carefully and use as little as possible.

Alternatives to pesticides#

It is worth considering alternatives before using a pesticide. The key is to make your house and garden unattractive to pests.

General suggestions:

• Do not leave food scraps in the garden, and throw out food left in pet bowls.
• Keep birdseed in rodent-proof dispensers if you have an aviary.
• Pick up and dispose of fallen fruit from fruit trees.
• Regularly trim plants such as creepers.
• Keep potential nesting places, such as wood and rubbish piles, off the ground.
• Consider traps, but do not place them where children, pets or wildlife could be harmed.
• Keep a tight lid on outdoor rubbish bins, and put garden compost in a well-sealed container.

For specific pests:

• Flies dislike pyrethrum, a common ingredient in fly spray. You might plant pyrethrum daisies near your doors, or hang flytraps or fly paper where flies tend to gather.
• Fleas: wash pets and their bedding regularly, and ask your veterinarian about treatment options for your pet.
• Cockroaches need a daily source of water to survive. Do not leave food scraps on benches or in pet bowls, keep rubbish covered, avoid piles of wood chips or mulch near the house, and seal cracks and crevices where they can get in.
• Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Drain puddles, change birdbath water at least weekly, run your pool filter for a few hours each day, and keep gutters clear of debris that collects water. Larvae-eating fish can help in ornamental ponds.

Pesticides and your health#

Pesticides come as solids, liquids, powders or sprays. The form influences how a pesticide can enter your body and affect your health. Pesticides can get into your body if you:

• swallow them, or eat, drink or smoke after handling them, or consume food or drink that was exposed to them
• get them on your skin, directly, through soaked clothing, or by touching treated surfaces
• rub your eyes after handling them, or get them in your eyes
• inhale pesticide vapours, sprays or dust

Minimising your exposure and taking care when handling pesticides reduces the chance of harming your health.

Pesticide poisoning#

Poisoning may occur shortly after a single exposure (acute poisoning) or gradually after repeated exposures over time (chronic poisoning).

Symptoms of acute poisoning may begin soon after exposure and can include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, blurred vision, excessive eye watering, sweating and excess saliva. More severe poisoning may lead to changes in heart rate, chest tightness, muscle weakness, twitching, difficulty breathing or walking, constricted pupils and incontinence. In very severe cases, seizures and unconsciousness may occur.

Symptoms of chronic poisoning develop gradually after repeated exposures and can include muscle weakness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and remembering things, and generally feeling unwell.

The type, duration and severity of symptoms can vary depending on factors such as the type and concentration of the pesticide, the degree of exposure, and the health and age of the person affected.

Many of these symptoms are not specific to pesticide poisoning and may be caused by other conditions, such as illness or allergy. You should always consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Although anyone can be affected, certain groups are particularly susceptible, including unborn babies, young children, pregnant and nursing women, and elderly people.

First aid#

If you or anyone in your family develops symptoms soon after exposure to a pesticide:

• In an emergency, always call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia)
• Contact a doctor immediately.
• Call a poisons information service for advice when poisoning or suspected poisoning occurs. These services also provide poisoning prevention information.

Remember to provide details of the exposure, including the product name if possible.

Using a licensed pest control operator#

Sometimes a pest problem is too difficult to manage on your own. For these jobs, hire a professional, licensed pest control operator.

Look for an operator who holds a current pest control licence. You can ask to see their photo identification and check that the licence is valid. If the service provided differs from what was agreed, you may be able to raise a complaint with the relevant licensing authority.

Key points#

• Use the least amount of pesticide possible, as all pesticides are toxic and can cause harm if used incorrectly.
• Never mix pesticides, as you risk an unexpected and potentially dangerous chemical reaction.
• Avoid applying surface sprays to areas commonly touched by family members, such as furniture.
• It is important to consider alternative control methods before using a pesticide.
• The key is to make your house and garden unattractive to pests.

Where to get help#