Is Roach Spray Harmful to Infants?

All pesticides are harmful to humans as well as the pests they're aimed at, but in different quantities. When you spray pesticides into the air, you and your baby could breathe them in. If you use a pesticide service that sprays into cracks and crevasses, they will tell you if you need to avoid the room for several hours; if you have an infant, make sure to ask if you have to leave.

  1. Spraying in the Air

    • Unless your baby is directly in the line of fire when you aim the roach spray at a bug, it is not likely to have any harmful effects. Moving your baby to another room if you spray decreases the risk that he will inhale any of the spray. If he develops difficulty with breathing, if he coughs, has tremors or seizures after exposure to roach spray in the air -- these are all signs of potential poisoning from pyrethrins, which is a less effective type of pesticide than the more dangerous but more effective DEET, according to MedlinePlus. If this happens, call the national poison control center immediately.

    Skin Exposure or Ingestion

    • If your toddler decides the baby is an unwanted invader and aims the roach spray at baby̵7;s skin, eyes, nose or mouth, it could have effects that are more serious, if your baby ingests any roach spray or the roach spray gets on his skin. Pesticides that contain DEET could cause a rash or reddening of the skin or burning of the eyes. Long-term skin exposure to DEET could cause seizures. Swallowing the spray can cause vomiting or other signs of stomach irritation, warns MedlinePlus. Flush your baby's skin or eyes for 15 minutes and call the poison control center or seek medical attention if he gets roach spray on his skin or in his eyes.

    Pesticide Companies

    • Pesticide companies usually spray in areas where children won't be directly exposed to the pesticides like cracks and crevasses where insects hide. In some cases, the company might recommend that you stay out of the house for several hours after they spray, or that you avoid sprayed areas until the spray dries, advises the Orkin website.

    Spraying Alternatives

    • Chasing individual bugs around with the spray can isn't the most effective way to rid yourself of roach or other bug infestations. The bugs will avoid the area recently sprayed but will often just move deeper into the walls, making them ultimately harder to get rid of, warns the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension. Use a multi-faceted approach instead; do not leave food around, use bait stations or gels, which have low pet and people toxicity; eliminate bug-hiding places and call a professional exterminator when bugs begin to bug you.

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