As you can imagine, indoor pest control comes with some health risks for domesticated animals kept as pets and can even be potentially dangerous to them. This is mostly because of their size. Humans may be fine around a small dose of pesticide, but pets may not. Pets are also less aware of certain dangers than us. While most adult humans will avoid eating rat pellets, for example, pets will not know that a tasty looking treat contains a lethal substance. So how can you prioritise pest control safety for household pets, and what can you do to prevent anything bad from happening?
Indoor pest control that doesn’t harm your pets
First of all, make sure you hire an experienced extermination company that understands the risks of indoor pest control for pets. You need to work with professionals if you want to protect your beloved animals. Avoid cowboys and fly-by-night operators. These people often have no idea what they are doing, and could inadvertently cause harm to your pets. On the other hand, professionals will have the know-how to take steps to prevent this.
The biggest difference here is that professionals usually have better equipment. One example is the use of enclosed, tamper proof traps. To give you an idea of what these traps involve, the poison is basically, held inside a sealed bait box and cannot easily fall out. Rodents enter the box, eat the poison, and die. This helps to protect wildlife from pesticides, but equally it means that pets cannot eat the poison pellets accidentally.
What else can you do to protect indoor pets?
Aside from pet-friendly London pest control professionals using suitable methods, the best way to protect pets from indoor pest control is by removing them from the property during treatments. Owners should place pets of all kinds in kennels or housed with a friend or neighbour while pest control is going on. This may be inconvenient, but it’s worth it. This is especially necessary if pesticides are being sprayed or fumigation is being used inside. Do not let your pets anywhere near the area.
As well as cats and dogs, pets like birds, hamsters and other caged creatures should be removed until it is safe. Also include pet fish and reptiles. Your pest control professional will advise on how long to keep your animals clear of the site and other health and safety procedures.
Something you should also pay attention to are your pet‘s items. You should pack away and remove anything that belongs to them before pest control is carried out. Do not let their bedding, food bowls, food, toys or anything like that come into contact with pesticides.