Question: My wife is pregnant.

Is your bug spray safe for her? Can she stay in the house while you spray? If not, how long must she be away?

ANSWER   Families who are expecting or who have children often ask about the safety of insecticides that are used during pest control service. Technicians appreciate those concerns.  They can customize treatments to accommodate individual sensitivities and keep homes pest free.

Since most pest problems begin outdoors, many homes receive routine treatment only on the outside. This prevents most pests from entering the home. If a pest is found inside, the technician can perform the specific treatment for that pest.

 Technicians are able to customize treatment methods that will solve a particular pest problem with minimum risk to people, pets, or property.  Each insecticide formulation is intended for a particular application.

Dusts and aerosol insecticides are intended to be applied into cracks and crevices. The treatment will be effective against pests, but there will be no residue on the surface for people tobe exposed to.

Baits that are used for cockroach and ant control  are injected into cracks and crevices or put into plastic stations. The stations are placed out of reach of children or pets.

Insecticides that are intended for application to surfaces have specific directions on their labels. The directions require that people and animals stay off of the treated surface until the treatment has dried.

Pregnant women or people in households with small children may be concerned about exposure to termiticides or other materials during the application phase of treatment.  Certainly, caution and concern during these critical times is understood and you may want to delay treatment.
 
Most liquid insecticides have little or no odor, or if there is an odor it will remain for only a short time.  Because pregnancy often brings a high sensitivity to chemical odors, it maybe best that pregnant women not be in the house during treatment.  This may remove the potential of a reaction to a temporary odor indoors.  Infants and small children may also react to slight odors, and their absence during treatment may be helpful.  Remember that the odors associated with most insecticide applications are linked to the solvent system of the pesticide formulation and not the actual insecticide (which is usually odorless).

Related Questions:
The Orkin Man used the information above to also answer the following questions submitted by Orkin.com users.

Question:
I work at a restaurant in Portland, OR where Orkin sprays for flies once a month.  I have heard that the chemicals Orkin uses at my restaurant are plant-based and not harmful to humans but I would like to know exactly which chemicals are used.  I would also like to know how long Orkin recommends before restaurant workers return to the restaurant after the chemicals have been sprayed.  Often I have to arrive to work less than an hour after the restaurant has been sprayed.  Also, I am curious if Orkin thinks it is dangerous for pregnant women to be exposed to the chemicals.

Question: I was wondering how safe is it to have your house/home treated by Orkin (for household bugs) while you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding? I was told by my doctor to stay away from pesticides.  Please advise.

Question: We have carpenter ants I think, can they be removed, and is it safe to have those chemicals in the house if we are going to be bringing home a baby with in a few weeks, and the fact i am pregnant?  I don't want  to do anything to harm his health