Jets Pest Control · Safety Guide
Is professional pest control safe for my family and pets?
The short answer is yes — when applied by a licensed operator using APVMA-registered products at the correct rates. Here is exactly what to expect before, during and after treatment.
Call 1300 566 569 with any questionThe fundamentals
Why professionally applied pest control is safe
Every product Jets Pest Control uses is registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). APVMA registration requires a manufacturer to submit detailed toxicology data — acute and chronic toxicity, environmental persistence, residue studies — before a product is approved for use. Products that fail to meet safety thresholds are not registered.
For general pest control, the most commonly used active ingredients are synthetic pyrethroids (for example, bifenthrin, deltamethrin and permethrin). These work by disrupting the nerve function of insects. At the application rates used in residential and commercial settings, their toxicity to mammals is extremely low — far lower than many common household cleaning products.
The key variable is correct application. An APVMA-registered product applied at the labelled rate by a Queensland Health-licensed pest management technician is a very different risk profile from an unlicensed operator who over-applies a cheap product without regard for label requirements. This is why choosing a licensed professional matters.
The products used in professional pest control in Queensland are safe for residential environments when applied correctly. The precautions below — re-entry times, pet removal, fish tank covers — are precautionary steps that eliminate even the low residual risk that occurs during application and drying. Following them means you can expect your home to be safe on return.
Before the technician arrives: what you need to do
Preparing your property before treatment makes it safer and more effective. The following steps are required for all general pest services.
Pyrethroid insecticides are highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Switch off the tank's filtration and air pump, cover the tank completely with a plastic sheet or damp towels, and tell the technician where the tank is. This is the single most important preparation step for fish owners.
Dogs and cats should be kept off treated surfaces until the spray has completely dried — typically 2 to 4 hours. Birds and reptiles are more sensitive than mammals and should be removed from rooms that will be treated. Caged birds and reptiles should be moved to an untreated room or kept outside during the service and for several hours afterward.
Remove children's toys, pet food bowls, water bowls and dishes from floor level. Wipe down bench tops before the service if food preparation equipment is stored there. Food itself does not need to be removed from sealed pantry cupboards.
Children, pregnant women and anyone with asthma, severe allergies or chemical sensitivities should leave the property before the service begins and return only after the treated areas are fully dry. See specific guidance below for each group.
The technician will need access to skirting boards, the roof void, the subfloor (where applicable) and the exterior perimeter. Shifting large furniture away from skirting boards helps the technician treat effectively and reduces your re-entry time.
Children and babies: specific guidance
Children — especially babies and toddlers who spend time on the floor — are more vulnerable to chemical exposure than adults for two reasons: they have a higher skin surface area relative to body weight, and they are in direct contact with the surfaces being treated. The re-entry precautions exist specifically to address this.
For general pest control, keep children out of treated areas until the spray has completely dried (2 to 4 hours). Once dry, the product is bound to the surface and contact exposure from normal foot traffic is negligible. Wash children's hands before meals as a standard precaution.
If you have a baby or young toddler who spends significant time on treated floor surfaces (crawling, sitting), wait until the spray is fully dry and allow the room to ventilate for an additional hour before bringing them back into the area. Treat skirting board zones as the primary treated surface and keep children away from them until dry.
Do not mop treated surfaces for 48 hours after a general pest treatment. Mopping removes the residual insecticide film and significantly reduces the effectiveness of the service — and the treatment's ability to protect against re-infestation is what the 12-month warranty is based on.
Pets: what to know for each animal type
Dogs and cats
- Remove from treatment areas during the service
- Keep off treated surfaces until fully dry (2–4 hours)
- Wash pet bedding if it was in a treated area
- If a pet walks through wet spray, wash the paws with mild soap and water
- Contact your vet if the pet shows signs of drooling, trembling or vomiting
Fish and aquatic animals
- Cover and seal tanks before treatment
- Switch off filtration and air pumps
- Inform the technician of tank locations
- Keep tanks covered until rooms are well ventilated
- Even small amounts of pyrethroid can be lethal to fish
Birds
- Birds are highly sensitive to airborne chemicals
- Move cages to an untreated room or outside
- Do not return birds to treated rooms until fully dry and ventilated
- Cover any open water or food in the cage before moving
Reptiles
- Reptiles absorb chemicals through skin contact with surfaces
- Remove from treated areas before service
- Do not return until the area is dry and aired
- Advise the technician if a reptile enclosure is fixed in a treated room
Pregnancy, asthma and chemical sensitivities
There is no evidence that a single professionally applied general pest treatment at APVMA-registered application rates causes harm in pregnancy. However, as a precautionary measure, pregnant women are advised to leave the property during treatment and return only after the treated areas are fully dry and the home has been ventilated. This is consistent with the general guidance from Australian state health authorities on pesticide precautions during pregnancy.
People with asthma or reactive airways disease may be sensitive to the spray carrier or solvent used in some products, even after the active ingredient has dried. Allow additional ventilation time — open windows and doors for one to two hours after re-entry — and carry any prescribed medication in case of a mild reaction.
If you have a known allergy to pyrethrins (the natural precursor to synthetic pyrethroids) or to any specific pesticide ingredient, let us know before the service. In most cases we can discuss alternative products or treatment methods. Safety Data Sheets for all products we use are available on request.
Rodenticide safety: what you need to know
Rodent control uses a different class of products from general pest sprays. Jets Pest Control uses tamper-resistant bait stations for all rodent work, which restricts access to the bait to target rodents and makes accidental child or pet exposure very unlikely.
The primary rodenticide used is a Vitamin D-based product (cholecalciferol). If accidental ingestion is suspected — by a child or pet — seek immediate medical or veterinary attention. There is no specific antidote for Vitamin D rodenticide toxicity. Early intervention is important.
Where anticoagulant rodenticides are used (bromadiolone or difenacoum), the antidote is Vitamin K1, which is available from a treating physician or veterinarian. Report the active ingredient to the treating clinician and take the Safety Data Sheet if possible.
For children: call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (available 24 hours). Have the product name available. For pets: contact your veterinarian immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before seeking advice.
Childcare centres and commercial premises
Childcare centres, schools and commercial food-handling premises require specific consideration because of their occupation patterns and regulatory requirements. Jets Pest Control schedules treatments for these sites outside of operating hours — typically evenings or weekends — to ensure the required ventilation and drying time is complete before staff and children return.
All products used in childcare and food-handling environments are selected to comply with label requirements for use in those settings. Pest management at childcare centres in Queensland is also subject to the Education and Care Services National Regulations, which require that centres maintain records of pest control treatments and that chemical use not present a risk to children.
If you operate a childcare centre or similar facility and are looking at pest management options, call us directly to discuss scheduling, product selection and record-keeping requirements for your site.
Frequently asked questions about pest control safety
How long after pest control can I let my pets back inside?
For general pest control, dogs and cats can return once treated surfaces are completely dry — typically 2 to 4 hours. Birds and reptiles should wait until the area is dry and has been ventilated for an additional hour. Fish tanks must be covered with filtration turned off during the service; once the room is aired, uncover and restart the filtration system. If in doubt about a specific species, contact your vet for guidance.
Is pest control spray harmful to breathe in?
During application, all people and pets should be out of the treated area. The spray mist itself carries a very low risk at professional application rates, but it is best practice to vacate during treatment. Once the spray has dried and the room has been ventilated, there is negligible respiratory risk for healthy adults and children. People with asthma or reactive airways should ventilate the home for an additional hour after re-entry. Anyone who experiences persistent coughing, throat irritation or difficulty breathing after re-entry should move to fresh air and contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 if concerned.
Can I mop the floors after pest control?
No — not for at least 48 hours after a general pest service, and specifically not near skirting boards or treated wall junctions. Mopping removes the residual insecticide film that continues killing pests for weeks to months after the initial application. This residual layer is what the 12-month warranty is based on. Vacuuming carpet is fine. Spot-cleaning a spill on a hard floor is fine. A full mop of treated surfaces within the first 48 hours will substantially reduce the service's effectiveness. After a German cockroach service, the same no-mop rule applies for 48 hours — this is particularly important as bait gels need to remain undisturbed near harborage sites.
Is pest control safe during pregnancy?
There is no evidence of harm from a single professionally applied pest treatment at registered application rates. As a precautionary measure, pregnant women should leave the property before treatment begins and return only after treated areas are fully dry and the home has been ventilated. If you have concerns specific to your pregnancy, discuss them with your obstetrician before the service — they can advise whether any additional precautions are appropriate for your situation.
What should I do if my child or pet is exposed to pest control spray?
For skin contact with wet spray: remove affected clothing and wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. For eye contact: rinse gently with clean water for 15 minutes. If ingestion is suspected or the person or animal shows symptoms (vomiting, trembling, excessive drooling, difficulty breathing): call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for people, or contact your veterinarian immediately for pets. Have the product name ready if possible. Jets Pest Control technicians carry Safety Data Sheets for all products they use — ask the technician if needed.
Are the products used by Jets Pest Control safe for a household with a newborn baby?
Yes, with the standard re-entry precautions followed. Keep the newborn out of treated areas until the spray is completely dry. Ensure the room is well ventilated before bringing the baby back in. Do not place the baby on the floor near treated skirting boards until the spray is dry. Wash hands before handling the baby if you have been in recently treated areas. If you have any concerns specific to your baby's health (for example, a premature infant or an infant with a respiratory condition), discuss them with your paediatrician before the service.
Still have questions? We answer them.
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Call 1300 566 569 and ask us anything about the products we use, your specific situation or what to expect on the day. No obligation, no sales pitch.
