Keeping your home pest free is a difficult job, especially considering that some of the DIY products on the market can potentially cause more harm than good. While we strongly suggest hiring a professional to handle all of your pest control needs, if you absolutely must DIY, here are 3 illegal pesticides you must avoid at all costs.

  1. Naphthalene Mothballs – While they may be effective, mothballs are easily mistaken for candy by pets and small children. Even when not ingested directly, children and pets are often tempted to play with mothballs, which can contaminate their hands and affect their health. In fact, studies have shown that the naphthalene in mothballs has been linked to serious illness, like nasal cancer.
  2. Insecticide Chalk – It’s easy to see how this pest prevention tool can be mistaken by small children for a toy. Blackboard or sidewalk chalk is a staple of childhood, but when insecticide chalk is confused for either of these, the effects can be detrimental. Ingesting insecticide chalk can cause vomiting, stomach ache, convulsions, loss of consciousness and severe allergic reactions.
  3. “Tres Pasitos” – This pesticide is typically imported from Latin America, and it’s name can be translated to “three little steps.” While it may sound cute, it’s name comes from the idea that after ingesting this poison, only three small steps is all a mouse can muster before dying. It’s active chemical is aldicarb, which is effective in killing roaches, mice and rats, but lethal if accidentally ingested. Common symptoms of poisoning include weakness, blurred vision, headache, nausea, tearing, sweating, and tremors.

As we mentioned before, the best way to make sure that you home and family are protected from pests and harmful pest control products is by enlisting the help of an expert. Here at Pest Control Unlimited, our professional technicians are trained to use only the safest products on the market in the most secure way possible.

For more information about our pest prevention methods and services call 888-649-9919 today.