Pest control whilst pregnant - is it safe? Anyone with any insight/experience please?

[Eggfreezer2015]

Solo mum, discovered silverfish in my house and can’t use shop bought products as they are toxic, some of the natural stuff are aromatic oils that can cause uterine contractions and not safe. I called up professional company and they claim that if you leave the house for 4 hours after they have treated, it is then safe as chemicals have crystallised and don’t let off anything. Has anyone here safely used a professional company? Do you or your partner work in this field and know if it is safe? Just don’t know what to do 😢 please advise if you have any insight/experience - thank you x

[Elsidee11]

Heya, I don’t know about the chemicals, but silverfish love moisture/damp - are you able to get to the root cause? We had loads in the bathroom when we bought our house, but we fixed the damp issue and they went. Good luck.x

[Eggfreezer2015 in reply to Elsidee11]

Thanks, you’re right I need to get to root cause. Trying to now figure out what trades person to call and help me identify where the damp is, do you recall who you called out? X

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Eggfreezer. I guess as there is no aroma it should be safe. Good luck. Diane

[Eggfreezer2015 in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks, I’m looking for a definitive as don’t want to take any risks… am hoping someone reads this post and perhaps works in that field or their partner does and would have more info x

[Hidden]

where are they and are there lots? My parents house I grew up in (and they’re still in) is an old stone house that has tendency to damp and they crop up every so often usually in the bathroom. We’ve used a good quality dehumidifier before and just made sure bathroom corners dust free etc. they’re not directly harmful to humans. So I generally just wouldn’t worry and just try and slowly address any damp and they will go. Obviously if they’re taking over your food cupboards that’s a different issue.

Diatomaceous Earth Is very safe (see Amazon and the like) and we’ve used that before for these and ants when we don’t want to use toxic things due to two cats.

[Eggfreezer2015]

Thanks, they are in the bathroom and found in kitchen floor and worktop. I’m checking food before I eat and thankfully not seen any in that. They also appeared in my bedroom! Where there is no damp. I am in a small maisonette so may be they crawl about from the bathroom to other rooms? I’m 12wks pregnant so you can imagine how paranoid I am with toxins etc after the IVF journey. I will look at Diatomaceous Earth now and see if they say ok to use in pregnancy. Did you put the dehumidifier in the bathroom? Do you recall the brand that you would recommend? Thanks for helping me xx

[Hidden in reply to Eggfreezer2015]

Sorry I didn’t get an alert that you’d replied! I think they use Diatomaceous Earth in grain stores etc so not dangerous in that sense but I am sure you would wash hands after and maybe just don a mask when you’re applying it so you don’t inhale any accidentally but once it’s down it shouldn’t be an issue. I would just focus on hotspots as you don’t want the faff off getting rid of powder from loads of areas, near skirting boards and behind toilet/cabinets in bathroom etc usually to type of spots.

Meaco have the top electric dehumidifiers, pricey though to be honest any good efficient dehumidifier is going to cost in region of at least £150.

Do you have any areas of plaster damage or black mold or the like? If so, I found a local damp proofing specialist with great Google reviews who was able to give advice without charge and give quote on any suggested works eg airbricks.

As a low cost option, I currently have an Ecozone moisture trap which cost about £7 (you just get refills for the plastic container every so often) in our ensuite that collects impressive amount of water.

I hope some of that helps xx

[Eggfreezer2015]

Thanks for your reply. I ordered some diatomaceous earth, food grade, which should be arriving on Wednesday. I also ordered the ecozone whilst I figure out dehumidifier. My bathroom is tiled top to bottom so can’t see any damp or mould, but have spotted water mark on ceiling in front room. So going to look for damp proofing specialist this morning and see what they say. Also found this company that come and do a scan of the property using infra red to check for leaks and damps, though costs £500! So that’s my back-up if damp specialists are not able to identify source. Thank you so much for helping, was feeling lost and tearful - pregnancy hormones no doubt! Xxx

[Hidden]

Ah bless you. I hope the simple first steps help. I’ve had a hugely anxious day today because feeling crap from fertility POV so I know what it’s like to be randomly emotional!

Just remember yucky as they are they can’t do harm to you. It’ll all get sorted eventually. Just keep an eye on your food cupboards.

We didn’t have a known damp issue but as part of survey when we bought a house 10 months ago the surveyor advised a check as part of our house is very old. The chap who came round was great, scanned the walls and found two areas and offered DIY solutions to try first then if don’t help he would do work for us and gave us quote for that. I hope you get someone equally good and not money grabbing xx