Professional treatment is meant to be applied so that, once dry, kids and dogs can use the yard normally. The products are EPA-registered and applied per the label, and the main step is keeping children and pets off the treated areas until they've dried, usually around 30 minutes to a couple of hours.
If you have kids or a dog, you want a straight answer. Can they play outside? How long do they need to wait? The answer comes down to how treatment is applied.
The products that you find in conventional barrier treatments are registered with the EPA. The federal government has checked them out and approved them for residential use. They’re only allowed to be used by trained technicians, which is part of what makes them OK to use. The treatment itself goes on foliage and shaded resting zones rather than on the yard as a whole.
There is one major rule to heed: keep kids and dogs off treated areas until everything has dried. Once it’s dry, you’re good to go. The treatment binds to foliage where it continues to work for up to 21 days. The drying process usually takes about 30 minutes, but it could take up to an hour or two if it is humid and cool outside.
When in doubt, work with a licensed and reputable pest control provider. They can help you take the right precautions to help protect your family from the bites and disease exposure of an untreated yard.
If you're tired of choosing between the bug problem and peace of mind for the kids and the dog, Mosquito Squad of Southeast PA can help. Mosquito Squad applies EPA-registered treatments by trained technicians and offers a natural option, helping protect your family with up to 90% reduction in mosquito activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
