04.Toxins
Here are a few samples of warnings we found on some cans of cockroach killer:
Keep out of reach of children.
Not to be taken.
Extremely flammable.
Do not spray into air.
Do not spray towards the face.
Do not spray directly onto humans, pets, exposed foods, food utensils or food preparation surfaces.
Remove or cover fish tanks and birds before spraying.
Poison.
Do not apply to food plants.
Do not allow chemical containers or spray to get into drains, sewers, streams or ponds.
Do not spray if bees are foraging on flowering plants.
Dangerous to fish.
Will damage eyes.
Avoid contact with eyes and skin.
Do not inhale vapour.
When using the spray wear cotton overalls buttoned to the neck and wrist, rubber gloves and goggles.
Do not spray on painted surfaces.
Many of the surface sprays warn against using as a space spray, or knockdown spray.
As consumers, some of us tend to be blasé about poison warnings. We grow up being told that we are to pay attention to poison warnings, and now we just avoid ingesting directly. Pets don’t have this education, and babies are only just in the process of learning. If you have either pets or babies, pay particular attention to poison warnings: toxins kill.
Spraying toxic chemicals on floors or any easily accessible surface is an invitation to both children and pets to ingest it. Babies are exceptionally curious and they will try everything, so the best way to avoid poisons is to avoid using toxic chemicals and use preventative measures instead.
If you are not able to utilise preventative measures, then using exclusionary zones can be a useful way around it. Spraying the kitchen floor but having a gate at the entry points to the kitchen can help, but keep in mind when you walk on the floor you will track those chemicals through to other areas of the house.
Areas of infestation are usually away from open areas as cockroaches tend to like closed dark spaces. Targeting the surface spray or bait in areas like cupboards under the sink or behind the fridge where babies and pets are unlikely to get to due to a lock on the cupboard and the fridge being inaccessible helps avoid unfortunate accidents. Check out our Prevention page for other ideas.