Pests, Pesticides & Repellents

pesticide sign, person spraying pesticide outside, woman applying bug spray

No one wants to deal with pests, whether they're in your home or yard, on your children or pets. Pests are annoying, and some carry diseases. Do your homework. Pesticides can have dangerous chemicals that alone may not solve your pest problem.

Think About Integrated Pest Management, Not Just Pesticides

Integrated pest management focuses on preventing pests and using pesticides only as needed. This approach is safer and cheaper. Integrated pest management uses multiple methods to reduce pests by making their environment less hospitable, reducing the sources of water and food that pests need to live, and using the least humanly toxic pesticides to kill pests. Learn more about Integrated Pest Management and get help to address your pest problem.

Understanding Pesticides

Pesticides are effective but need to be used safely. Pesticides are poisons and can harm people and pets if used improperly. Consider the following tips before you start:

  • Hire a professional pest control company whenever you can. They will use an integrated approach and have the expertise and training to handle pesticides safely and appropriately.
  • Compare different products and alternative solutions before you make your decision. There may be a less toxic option to solve your pest problem.
  • Always follow pesticide label instructions to protect your health. Read the product label or “Safety Data Sheet” to see what protective equipment is needed and wear it. Pesticides may cause breathing problems, skin irritation, or chemical burns.
  • Keep children and pets away from areas where pesticides have been recently applied. Place small signs to keep people away from the treated area until it is safe to enter.
  • Pesticides should be stored out of reach of children and pets. Check the label for any special storage requirements.
  • Old or unwanted pesticides should be disposed of as hazardous waste.

Pests

  • Bed bugs are difficult to remove but there is guidance available to help you prevent or control the problem. Remember that pesticides can be dangerous if used improperly so follow label instructions.
  • Cockroaches can be a nuisance. Take steps to make sure they do not have access to food, water, and easy hiding places. Pesticides should be used carefully, and as a last resort. Use the least toxic product that works, follow label instructions, and keep out of reach of children and pets.
  • Fleas are easier to prevent than to get rid of once an infestation has taken hold. Before applying pest control products directly to pets or in your home, read and follow the label instructions. Many of these products contain strong chemicals that can potentially be harmful.
  • Ticks are potentially disease-carrying parasites that attach to pets as well as people. By following a few simple tips, you can limit your risk of exposure to potentially harmful chemicals that are in tick control products.
  • Lice are insects that can be found on the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes of people. They are not dangerous, and they don't spread disease, but they do spread easily through head-to-head contact. Before using lice control products, make sure to take a few minutes to read and follow label instructions.
  • Mice are much smaller than rats, but they can still do a lot of damage. They destroy food, books, furniture and even appliances with their gnawing, urine, and droppings. Getting them under control can be difficult but by keeping a clean uncluttered home, mouse-proofing, and removing them with traps can be effective practices.
  • Mosquitoes usually are considered a nuisance pest, but occasionally they can transmit viruses to people and some animals. While your chances of being infected with a disease through a mosquito bite are very small, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of being bitten.
  • Rats are a community problem and the entire neighborhood should work together. If rats are living in your neighborhood, there are steps you should take, even if they aren't in your home. Once the rat infestation is under control, the goal is to prevent them from coming back.

Specific Pesticides

Mosquito Control Products

The following pesticides have been traditionally used for wide-area mosquito control but can also be found in other pesticide products used indoors and on pets to control ticks and insects, such as fleas and ants. Pesticides that kill insects are called insecticides.

  • Anvil is a pesticide product that is used to control mosquitoes in outdoor residential and recreational areas. It contains sumithrin and piperonyl butoxide as active ingredients. Sumithrin is a man-made pyrethroid insecticide.
  • Malathion is a man-made organophosphate insecticide that is commonly used to control mosquitoes and a variety of insects that attack fruits, vegetables, landscaping plants, and shrubs.
  • Scourge is a pesticide product that is used to control mosquitoes in outdoor residential and recreational areas. It contains resmethrin and piperonyl butoxide as active ingredients. Resmethrin is a man-made pyrethroid insecticide.

Ticks and Insect Repellents

Tick and insect repellents can be effective at reducing bites from ticks and insects that can transmit disease. But their use is not without risk of health effects, especially if repellents are applied in large amounts or improperly. Dressing to repel insects can reduce the need for repellents.

Arsenic-Containing Pesticides

Older, more toxic arsenic-containing pesticides remain in homes and farms today. These pesticides should be disposed of immediately. Follow all disposal instructions on the pesticide label. Check with your local solid waste management authority, environmental agency or health department to find community household hazardous waste collection programs.

Information for Special Audiences

View our pest-related publications available for order.

Workers

Landlords, Tenants & Homeowners

Health Care Providers

Pesticide Applicators

Schools & Day Care Centers

Children's Camps