Do try pest prevention first:
- Remove sources of food, water and shelter.
- Check tips and resources for ideas on preventing pests.
Do safely and correctly use pesticides:
- Use baits as a first line of chemical defense against insects
or rodents.
- Other chemicals, generally, should only be applied to cracks
and crevices, not sprayed over the whole room. Use fogging
devices only when absolutely necessary.
- Always read and follow the pesticide label's instructions
and safety warnings.
- Use ready-to-use products (i.e., no mixing needed) whenever
possible.
- If you hire any outside persons to help control pests, ask
them to find and correct the source of the problem before
applying pesticides. For example, you might have to repair a
leaky toilet to remove a water source. Ask them to use baits and
crack and crevice treatments when feasible.
- Only apply chemicals approved for use in homes; the label
will list where the chemical may be used; write down the name and
EPA registration number of any chemical used by someone you hire.
You will need this information if you decide to look up more
information on the pesticide. The pest control operator should be
able to provide information about the chemical, such as the
material safety data sheet.
Do dispose of leftover pesticides and pesticide containers
properly
- Read the
label to find out how to dispose of the pesticide and the
container.
- Many communities have household hazardous waste collections
that will accept unwanted pesticides. Call your waste disposal
authority for information about your community.
Don't use outdoor chemicals indoors
- Many chemicals intended for use outdoors are dangerous to use
indoors because they will remain toxic longer inside than they
would outdoors.
Don't assume that twice as much is better
- Always read and follow label directions.
- Using too much of a pesticide can endanger your family's
health.
Don't transfer pesticides to other containers
- Store pesticides in their original containers.
- Only mix as much as you are going to use at one time if the
pesticide must be mixed with water.
- Children and others have been poisoned by accidentally
consuming pesticides stored in food or beverage containers
Don't use empty pesticide containers to store anything
else
- No matter how well you wash the container, it could still
contain remnants of the pesticide and could harm someone
