Looking for a Child Safe Pest Control

Updated on September 19, 2012
L.W. asks from Austin, TX
24 answers

I'm looking for an pest control that won't be so toxic that we have to abandon the house. We've always been nervous about doing this with young children about and have put it off until we really can't wait any longer. Our smaller efforts with moth traps and roach baits in this old house no longer are enough. Thank you in advance for any recommendations.

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K.T.

answers from Austin on

We use Aztec organic pest control. It has been fantastic. It is a little expensive, but well worth the piece of mind of no chemicals. It is the only one we use. I also only clean my home with vinegar. Hope this helps! K.

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M.C.

answers from Houston on

There is a good one at Walmart oderless and harmless. It comes in a white container sorry I don't know the name put it works.

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S.C.

answers from College Station on

Hi L.,

I have to agree with Heather H. I have used natural products. I have indoor pets and two kids myself. It is safer to use what comes naturally. There are several books on natural cleaning products that you can make at home just using your own cooking ingredients and plant essence. Or below is a website it is melaleuca, tea tree oil, when I dont feel like making my own I use them. I have been a customer for years. Also look up at any book store or online. Here are just a few websites to get some ideas I have used them and they worked for me. You can google homemade natural cleaning recipes or just homemade cleaning products. I hope this helped

http://www.melaleuca.com
http://www.vanessasgift.com/cleaning_recipes.htm
http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm
http://earthnotes.tripod.com/clnrecipes.htm

3 moms found this helpful
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B.D.

answers from Austin on

There are links between autism and pesticides, not to mention chemical sensitivity, etc. Google "integrative pest management". Use the most natural cleaning supplies you can find: baking soda, vinegar, orange-based cleaners. Pests are in the house because there is easy access to food and water. Roaches especially love water. If you get rid of those sources and calk up cracks and holes in the house, you won't have pests.

2 moms found this helpful
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T.A.

answers from San Angelo on

Don't know about Moth's. But a few drops of dish soap in a small open cup of vinegar will draw gnats to it and they drown.

For roaches and ants buy some 20 Mule Team Borax in the soap aisle. Mix about a teaspoon of this with powdered sugar or peanut butter and put in something small, like the lid from jam or jelly jars. This works because the sugar draws the ants and roaches to it and the borax kills them. Basically, ants and roaches don't have a way to 'belch' and the borax makes their stomach's explode. If your kids or animals should get into it, it won't hurt them. I also sprinkle the borax over our fireplace logs outside. This keeps the wood bores and other insects from eating into the firewood.

Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.G.

answers from Austin on

We use Chem Free. They spend a lot of time and effort outside. Very little spraying inside. Not to mention, what they use has very little odor and is supposed to be non-toxic. They say it's non-toxic, but I still choose to leave the house for a few after treatment. We have seen great results. It took about a week before we stopped seeing the bugs and over a period of 2 months, there were fewer and fewer. I see very few bugs in the house these days.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.R.

answers from Austin on

We've had wonderful experiences with Aztec Organic Pest Service ###-###-####). Their roach treatments are completely safe for people and pets and have been very effective in our house.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.H.

answers from Houston on

Do yourself a favor a pony up the dough for an exterminator. By the time you "buy and try" all those homemade/natural/ol' wifetale, etc, etc, "remedies"....you can have an exterminator come out and zap your problem once and for all. Believe me...Ive "been there, done that"

Margaret:)

1 mom found this helpful
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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

Our bug place has an envrionmentaly safer spray. Its also suppose to be ok for kids and elderly people. Talk to them about your consirnes and I am sure they have good plans. I have also heard of something called bitter apple or bitter horse apple. Your suppose to put it in a cabinet and its suppose to ward off pests. Not sure if it actually works or where you can get it.

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J.H.

answers from Houston on

I absoulty love who we use and I have a six year old and a baby on the way with 2 pets and we are all fine staying here when our guys sprays! We love this company! Superior Pest & Termite. There # is ###-###-####. The more often you have them come out the cheaper it is. I ahve them come every 2 months and we have little to NO bugs! Highly recommemded. Tell them J. Houston sent you.

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F.W.

answers from Houston on

Nature's Own Pest & Lawn Services covers wasp and spider webs with there pest control treatment. They also apply natural products and do a great job. We have have been using there services for the past 3 years and they have been great to deal with. I would highly recommend them for pest control services.

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D.A.

answers from Houston on

If it's roaches, get on the Internet and buy Raid Maxx. It's very effective and is what the exterminators use. It costs about $60, and comes with 3 applicators. You squeeze a couple drops of brown goo at target spots - back of cupboards, closets, behind the fridge. You don't want your kids to eat it, but because it's not diffused into the atmosphere it's a better alternative.

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S.M.

answers from San Antonio on

We use Bulwark. They are safe for kiddos to be around. The smell is not as strong as others. They use more organic products. I still go outside till after the house is aired out. I open the windows after the first major treatment. Their number is ###-###-####. I do not have problems. If there seems to be a problem they will return for free. You really can not beat that!

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M.F.

answers from El Paso on

Most pest control companies offer pet and child friendly spraying of homes - just call and ask.

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D.T.

answers from Houston on

I would recommend Bugstoppers Pest Control. They are based in the The Woodlands but have accounts all over the greater Houston area. The number is ###-###-#### or toll free 866-284-7867. They are wonderful; I would specifically ask for Olen to come out. He has 3 children of his own and would understand your concern.

Hope this helps and that you can get rid of those pesky critters!

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A.O.

answers from Sherman on

call Orkin...we never have to leave the house when they come to spray

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

Putting a cedar mulch surrounding your house keeps the pests out, even rodents if you live in the country. There used to be a product called "Cedar Cide" that was wonderful. I can't find it anywhere in our area anymore though, you might google it. They sold products that were completely organic, made from a cedar base, and, had indoor products as well. There are plenty of products for inside the house that kids will not get into. The cedar barrier outside the house not only keeps the pests out, but, it looks pretty too! There are plenty of brands of cedar mulch to choose from.
I use the roach bait traps (the ones that are closed and have a sticky back), and, they are small. You can put them where kids cannot get to them, (I hide them), and, I have NEVER had a problem. We live in the country, and, we have EVERYTHING out here, so, I know it works. The trick is to make sure they don't get old, and, change them every few months. I have about 10 places that I keep them throughout our house. I also have the sticky traps just in case any pests get in. You can hide these under sinks, behind washing machine, etc. I just check them every couple days and see if there are any roaches or anything that got past the other barriers!

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S.W.

answers from Houston on

You can try boric acid. Take your light switch and electric outlet covers off of the wall and squeeze the powder inside the walls. You can also put it in any other area that is not easily accessable such as behind the refrigerator. This is not a quick fix but will work. If you are having a major problem I would exterminate one last time and use this method as prevention. When bugs come in contact they will not die instantly but after a time you will not see any living bugs in your home.

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C.C.

answers from San Antonio on

We use Stout Pest Control in San Antonio and they have products that are all natural. It even smells great when the leave! I have been worried about it with my little one now crawling. I just don't let him down until it dries and he is fine!

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J.C.

answers from Houston on

I use Home Team Pest Defense.(pestdefense.com) $85.00/qrt. and they spray the inside and outside of your home. If you need a retreat, they don't charge you to come back out. I have used them for about 3 yrs. and have been pleased with the service.

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R.

answers from San Antonio on

We had a similar problem in our old house. We were able to deal with it completely organicaly, but it was A LOT of work. Basicly, you have to remove everything from all of your cabinets, pull out all your appliances and furniture and really get every last crumb and bit of dust(dust is mostly dead skin, which roaches and other bugs like to eat). Also, roaches like to eat soap and other yummy smelling non-food items, so make sure they are stored in air tight containers. Use vinegar and diluted bleach to scrub every surface (roaches carry several nasty germs and they must be removed). Once every thing is totally clean, put down Borax in all the corners of cabinets and behind appliances. The most important step is to go around outside of your house and check for obvious points of entry and close them up. Roaches can get in through very tiny holes (like under doors and at the drier vent). Hope this helps!

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S.C.

answers from Austin on

L.,
I use Bulwark and really love them. The best thing is that the first month or so they had to come out several times inside the house, but now that things are under control they only come out every 2 months and spray on the outside of the house, they never have to come inside anymore! And believe me, we live in an old house and had a serious roach problem! Good luck, and I really suggest hiring someone, we tried to take care of it ourselves, and it got out of hand fast!

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E.G.

answers from Houston on

We use Nature's Pest Solutions ###-###-####. They only use natural ingredients, and they are really reasonably priced.

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A.A.

answers from Waco on

Hi L.,

My husband is an entomologist and has his commercial pesticide applicators license. Pesticides often get a bad rap, but people often forget that humans have been using chemical compounds since 2500 BC and many pesticides have been responsible for eliminating harmful diseases (such as Malaria) for years. The products that are used in the home here in the United States are deemed safe. The EPA has very strict regulations and even in studies that are deemed "inconclusive", they have taken products off the market as a result just to be sure we are safe. Chemical companies are also getting more and more advanced at creating chemical compounds (using chemicals that are naturally occuring in the environment) and creating products that are bad for the bug and safer for humans. All that being said, I would first recommend using a reputable pest control company that is certified to treat the home environment. Express your concerns about using something safe for children and they can make proper recommendations. HTH!

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