Let me start with something that might surprise you…
I know pesticides are toxic.
And I still use them in and around my own home. Even with my kids and my dog.
As someone who has built a career around understanding insects, chemicals, application techniques, and long-term pest prevention, I've been asked this question more times than I can count:
"Joel… if this stuff kills bugs, how are you okay with it being used around your family?"
It's a fair question. And honestly? I'd be concerned too if I didn't understand how it works.
So here's the real answer: pesticides don't necessarily work the way you might think they do.
Let's dive in!
First: Toxic Doesn't Mean What Most People Think It Means
Almost everything is toxic at a certain dose.
Caffeine is toxic at a certain dose.
Ibuprofen is toxic at a certain dose.
Even water is toxic in high enough doses (called hyponatremia).
The word "toxic" simply means something can cause harm under the right conditions. What matters is how it's used, how much is used, and how it interacts biologically with different organisms.
And that's where insects and humans are very, very different.
Insects Are Not Built Like We Are
Most modern pest control products are designed to target insect nervous systems.
Here's what insects don't have:
They don't have a liver to metabolize compounds.
They don't have a blood-brain barrier to filter what reaches their nervous system.
They have a much smaller body mass.
They don't have skin; instead, they have an exoskeleton that more readily absorbs pesticides.
Their nervous systems are directly exposed in ways ours aren't.
When certain products contact insects, the active ingredients go straight to their nervous system and disrupt function.
That's why they work.
Humans, on the other hand, process compounds differently. Our liver metabolizes substances. Our body mass is significantly larger. Our nervous system is protected.
The biology isn't even comparable.
It's Not Just the Product. It's the Placement.
Here's what most people don't realize:
Professional pest control is not about soaking your house in chemicals.
It's about:
Targeted crack-and-crevice treatments
Exterior perimeter applications
Low-contact placement areas
Following EPA-approved label instructions exactly
In fact, one of the biggest risks in pest control isn't professional service; it's misuse.
- Over-the-counter foggers.
- Overapplication.
- Mixing products improperly.
- Ignoring label instructions.
From personal protection products (chemical-resistant gloves, respirators, eye protection) to precise measuring instruments and specialized application equipment, applying pesticides safely isn't a simple task.
When I treat my own home, I apply products precisely where they need to go and nowhere else.
That matters more than the product name.
Why I Choose Professional Treatment Over Letting Pests Take Over
Here's the part that doesn't get enough attention: untreated infestations also have consequences.
Mice scurry across your pantry shelves, gnaw through packaging, and leave behind droppings that turn your favorite snacks into a health hazard.
Rats gnaw through electrical wiring inside your walls, stripping insulation and creating exposed lines that can spark without warning.
Cockroaches crawl through your home, leaving behind droppings, shed skins, and microscopic particles that can trigger asthma attacks and persistent allergies.
Ticks don't just bite; they latch on, burrow into your skin, and can leave behind Lyme disease that lingers long after they're gone.
Carpenter ants hollow out your home from the inside, chewing through the very beams that hold it up.
Bed bugs can leave you completely drained—like dragging yourself home after an all-nighter and still having to function the next day.
Doing nothing isn't neutral.
As a husband and a dad, I weigh both sides.
And I'm far more comfortable with targeted, professionally applied treatments than I am with letting infestations grow unchecked.
It's About Risk Management, Not Fear
The Pest Nerd in me doesn't ignore risk.
I study it. I understand it. I respect it!
And I apply products according to the label, because the label isn't a suggestion; it's federal law. It exists for a reason.
When used correctly, modern pest control is designed to target pests effectively while minimizing unnecessary exposure. That's not a sales pitch. That's how the science works.
So Yes, I Use It in My Own Home
Not because I ignore toxicity. Not because I don't care. But because I understand:
How insects are built
How humans process compounds
How dosage and placement matter
How prevention reduces bigger risks later
How modern products and application techniques have evolved
Being a Pest Nerd means looking at the full picture.
And when I do, I'm confident in the decision to use professional pest control to protect my home.
If you ever have questions about what's being used around your family, just ask! Any of our pest professionals should be able to explain exactly why, where, and how something is being applied.
You deserve that level of transparency.
— Joel, The Pest Nerd
