Pests in your home can be difficult to deal with. You may want to get rid of them quickly, but using pest control products incorrectly can put you, your family and your neighbours at risk.
Why use professional pest control
Professional pest control provides households with safer, more effective solutions by using trained technicians who understand how to:
- identify the pest correctly
- choose the most effective treatment
- use chemicals safely
- follow legal and safety requirements
Using a qualified professional can help reduce risks to the environment and the people in and around your home – especially children, pets and vulnerable individuals.
The dangers of DIY pest control
Many pest control products contain chemicals that can cause serious harm if they aren’t used correctly.
Risks include:
- poisoning people or pets
- contaminating food, water or living areas through poor handling or storage
- causing serious illness by breathing in fumes or contact with skin
- exposing neighbours or emergency responders to dangerous chemicals
- using the wrong product, or the wrong dose, or using it incorrectly so that pests survive and adapt to it, making them even harder to get rid of
Be aware:
- Some pest control tablets release toxic gas. Using these products in homes or other enclosed spaces can be extremely dangerous and may be fatal.
That’s why pest control and fumigation should only ever be carried out by trained, licensed professionals.
Pest control products bought outside the UK
Do not use pest control products brought into the UK from another country.
Some imported products contain highly toxic chemicals. There have been fatal incidents involving pest control products brought into the UK from overseas.
How to use pest control products safely
If you use a pest control product:
- read and follow the instructions on the label
- use only the recommended amount
- keep products in their original packaging
- store products securely and out of reach of children and pets
- never mix products or use them in a way that is not described in the instructions.