Information for Older Adults 

 Sheet 

July 2004 

Effective Control 

of Household Pests 

and Family Caregivers


Fact


Responsible 

pesticide use is an 

important issue 

across generations. 

Older adults may 

be more susceptible 

to the effects of 

exposure to 

pesticides because 

of age-related 

changes in how 

the body processes 

chemicals. 

Using an integrated 

pest management 

system can help you 

avoid unnecessary 

use of pesticides. 

D

id you know that eight 

out of ten U.S. households use pesticides 

both indoors and outside their home?1 Examples of 

pesticides in common use 

include cockroach sprays and 

baits, termite control products, 

rat poison, flea and tick sprays 

and powders, weed killers, bug 

sprays, and kitchen and bath 

disinfectants. 

Environmental Hazards 

of Pesticides 

Exposure to high levels of pesticides, usually due to improper 

application of a product, may 

lead to acute effects such as 

headaches, dizziness, muscle 

twitching, weakness, and nausea. Long-term and/or excessive exposure to some pesticides has been linked to cancer, 

reproductive effects, and effects 

on the central nervous system. 

Preventing Exposure 

Grandparents can play an important role in keeping children safe 

from hazardous pesticides by 

keeping them out reach. 

Emergency room surveys suggest 

that children under age six are 

more likely to be poisoned while 

visiting grandparents where poisons are more likely to be in 

reach and without child-resistant 

closures than when in their own 

homes. In addition, while older 

adults account for only 2.8% of 

reported poisoning incidents, they 

account for 5.9% of all cases with 

a moderate to major medical 

outcome and 28% of deaths.2 

If you or a family 

symptoms of having 

been poisoned, 

call the National Poison 

Control Center at 

1

member shows 

-800-222-1222 

Footnotes 

1 U.S. EPA, National Household Pesticide Usage Study, 1992, 

Office of Pesticide Programs 2 National Poison Control Center Data, 1993-1998 
What You Can Do to Control 

and Reduce Exposure 

to Pesticide Hazards 

Tips for home pesticide use: 

•	 Read the label. The pesticide label is your 

best guide for safe and effective use of 

pesticides. If you have impaired vision, 

ask for assistance. 

•	 Store pesticides only in their original 

containers. Never use an empty pesticide 

container for another purpose. 

•	 Use a community disposal program in 

your neighborhood. Check with your 

local solid waste management authority, 

environmental agency, or health 

department to find out if your community 

has a hazardous waste disposal program. 

If not, carefully follow the disposal 

instructions on the label. 

•	 Never use outdoor-pesticides indoors. 

•	 Keep people and pets away from areas 

where pesticide sprays and foggers are 

applied. Read label to determine when it 

is safe for people or pets to re-enter area. 

•	 Avoid spraying where you prepare or 

store food, and avoid treating entire 

floors, walls or ceilings. 

•	 Limit pesticide applications to infested 

area and use only the amount 

recommended on the product label. 

•	 Avoid applying pesticides outdoors on 

a windy day. Before spraying close the 

doors and windows of your home. 

•	 After applying a pesticide, wash any parts 

of your body or clothes that might have 

come in contact with the pesticide. 

Use Integrated Pest 

Management (IPM) — 

Avoid Unnecessary Use 

of Pesticides 

The US EPA recommends using an 

overall pest management strategy, often 

called “integrated pest management 

(IPM)” for control of pests in homes or 

apartment buildings. IPM is a pest 

management system that combines 

non-chemical control strategies with less 

toxic pesticide use minimizing risk to 

human health and the environment. 

For example, you might use traps, baits 

and gels instead of sprays to control 

pests. IPM minimizes health risks for susceptible populations, such as older adults. 

Learn More About EPA’s 

Aging Initiative 

EPA’s Aging Initiative, which is working 

to protect older adults from environmental health risks through the coordination of research, prevention strategies and public education. 

Visit www.epa.gov/aging. 

For more information on pesticides, 

call 703-305-5017 or visit our web site 

at www.epa.gov/pesticides 

EPA 100-F-04-009