Buy the right products
- Only buy products approved for amateur use in the UK. The label should be in English with UK approval details.
- Buy from established UK retailers, or direct from recognised brands.
- Be wary of online marketplaces. Check the individual seller is based in the UK.
- Never buy professional or industrial products from overseas sellers. Some have caused deaths and serious injuries in UK homes.
- Never decant products into other containers, especially food or drink bottles.
Never buy fumigants. Products that release toxic gas are restricted to licensed professionals in the UK. If you're offered one online, don't buy it.
Children and pets
- Use baits inside tamper-resistant stations, placed where children and pets can't reach.
- Prefer snap traps in enclosed boxes if you have young children, cats or dogs.
- Keep everyone out of treated rooms until sprays are dry, or as long as the label says.
- Never use a dog flea treatment on a cat. Many contain permethrin, which can kill cats.
- Store all products locked away in their original containers.
Match the method to the pest
| Pest | Usually best | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Mice | Snap traps and proofing | Glue traps, poison in voids |
| Rats | Removing food, covered traps, professional help | Shop poison indoors or in lofts |
| Ants | Gel bait on the trail | Spraying the trail |
| Cockroaches | Gel bait in cracks | Sprays near the bait |
| Fleas | Vet pet treatment, household spray with growth regulator, vacuuming | Foggers, dog products on cats |
| Bed bugs | Hot washing, encasements, professional treatment | Foggers and bug bombs |
| Wasps | Nest powder at the entrance at dusk, or a pro | Blocking, burning or flooding nests |
Why poison doesn't belong in lofts and voids
Rodents that eat poison don't die immediately. They often retreat to a hidden spot, such as under the floor, in a wall cavity or in the loft insulation, and die where you can't reach them. The smell can last for weeks and attract flies. Traps let you remove the animal.
Protect yourself
- Wear disposable gloves when handling traps, droppings, dead animals or nests.
- Wear a dust mask in lofts and when clearing droppings.
- Dampen droppings with disinfectant before wiping up. Don't sweep or vacuum them dry.
- Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Getting rid of leftovers
Don't pour pesticides down the sink or drain. Check your council's household hazardous waste arrangements, and follow the disposal instructions on the label.
Questions people ask
Are natural remedies safer?
Some are gentler, but many don't work, which can let a problem grow. Peppermint oil and ultrasonic devices, for example, have little evidence behind them.
What should I do if a child or pet eats pest control product?
For a child, call 999 or NHS 111 immediately and keep the packaging. For a pet, call your vet straight away. Take the packaging with you.