4 Questions to Ask Your Pest Control Company If You Have a Pet

Quick Summary

• Before hiring any exterminator, ask these 4 specific questions — and know what a trustworthy answer actually sounds like.
• Vague “pet-friendly” claims aren’t enough. A qualified pro will give you exact product names, SDS sheets, and re-entry timelines without hesitation.
• Seth Shaljian, NJ-licensed exterminator (CORE, 7A, 7B) at Affordable Pest Solutions LLC, breaks down what pet owners in Morris, Sussex, and Warren Counties need to know before signing anything.

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You’ve got a pest problem. You also have a dog, a cat, or both — and the thought of a stranger spraying chemicals around the place where your animals sleep, eat, and lick the floor is making you anxious.

That anxiety is completely justified.

The words “pet-friendly” on a pest control company’s website mean exactly nothing without specifics. Any company can print that phrase. What separates a contractor who genuinely prioritizes your pet’s safety from one who’s just using it as a marketing line? The answers they give when you ask the right questions.

Here are the four questions we recommend every pet owner ask before scheduling a service — and exactly what a good answer looks like.

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Question 1: “What Specific Products Will You Be Using, and Can You Provide the Safety Data Sheet?”

This is your most important question. Don’t let anyone dodge it.

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — formerly called an MSDS — is a standardized document that lists a product’s chemical composition, hazard information, and safe handling instructions. Every professional-grade pesticide has one, and any licensed applicator should be able to hand one over without blinking.

Why it matters for your pet: Dogs and cats are lower to the ground, groom themselves constantly, and spend far more time in contact with treated surfaces than you do. A chemical that’s negligible for a 180-pound adult can be a serious problem for an 8-pound cat.

Green Flags:

• They name the specific product (e.g., “We use Temprid SC for interior applications”)
• They offer to email you the SDS before the appointment
• They explain why they chose that product for your situation

Red Flags:

• “Don’t worry, it’s totally safe for pets” — with no product name or documentation
• Resistance or hesitation when you ask for the SDS
• Vague terms like “green formula” or “eco-friendly blend” with no specifics

If a contractor can’t name what they’re spraying, that’s your answer.

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Question 2: “How Long Do My Pets Need to Stay Out of Treated Areas?”

This question has a real answer. If the contractor gives you a vague shrug, they either don’t know their products or they’re not being straight with you.

Re-entry intervals (REIs) are determined by the specific product used and the application method. A liquid residual spray on baseboards has a different dry time than a granular outdoor application. A professional should be able to give you a specific window — not a ballpark.

Why it matters: Pyrethroid-based products (one of the most common classes of residential pesticides) are particularly toxic to cats, who lack the liver enzymes to metabolize them efficiently. Letting your cat back into a treated room before the product has fully dried isn’t just risky — it can be a veterinary emergency.

Green Flags:

• A specific time window: “Keep pets off treated floors for at least 2–4 hours after it’s fully dry to the touch”
• They ask about your specific pets (species, size) before giving a timeline
• They explain the difference between indoor and outdoor re-entry times

Red Flags:

• “Just an hour or so” with no mention of drying time
• Same answer regardless of what products they’re using
• No distinction between cats and dogs (this matters — cats are significantly more sensitive to many pesticides)

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Question 3: “Are You Using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approach?”

This one separates the professionals from the spray-and-pray crowd.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for homes with pets is a methodology that prioritizes exclusion, habitat modification, and targeted treatments over blanket chemical application. In plain terms: a good IPM-trained exterminator looks for why the pests are getting in and seals those entry points first, rather than just dousing your home in chemicals and calling it done.

Think of it this way: if your bathtub is overflowing, the smart move is to turn off the faucet — not just keep mopping the floor.

Why it matters for your pet: IPM-based treatments use the minimum effective amount of pesticide, applied only where it’s needed. That means less chemical exposure for everyone in the home — including your four-legged family members.

Green Flags:

• They explain their inspection process before any treatment
• They talk about exclusion (sealing entry points, removing harborage) as part of the service
• They use targeted applications rather than blanket sprays
• They mention monitoring as an ongoing part of the process

Red Flags:

• The plan is always “spray everything” regardless of pest type or severity
• No inspection — they quote a price before they’ve even seen your home
• They discourage questions about their methodology

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Question 4: “What Should I Do If My Pet Has a Reaction After Treatment?”

A confident, prepared contractor will have a clear answer ready. This question also tells you a lot about how seriously they take your pet’s safety — before anything goes wrong.

The honest answer involves two things: specific symptoms to watch for, and a clear escalation path. Any professional worth hiring should mention the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) without prompting. If they don’t know that number exists, that’s a problem.

Why it matters: Pesticide exposure symptoms in pets can range from mild (drooling, lethargy) to severe (tremors, seizures). The window for effective treatment narrows fast. Knowing what to watch for — and who to call — isn’t paranoia. It’s preparation.

Green Flags:

• They proactively mention the ASPCA Poison Control number: (888) 426-4435
• They provide a written list of symptoms to watch for after treatment
• They offer a direct line to reach the technician if you have concerns post-service

Red Flags:

• “That won’t happen” — dismissing the question entirely
• No protocol, no number, no follow-up plan
• They seem annoyed that you asked

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A Note on “Pet-Safe” Marketing

There’s no official regulatory standard for the phrase “pet-safe pest control.” Any company can use it. What does have real meaning: licensed applicators (look for NJ CORE certification at minimum), documented IPM protocols, and contractors who answer these four questions without flinching.

You can verify a New Jersey pesticide applicator’s license through the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. It takes about 30 seconds and tells you a lot.

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Conclusion & Next Steps

Hiring a pest control company when you have pets doesn’t have to be a leap of faith. These four questions give you a reliable filter — and the answers tell you everything you need to know about whether a contractor is genuinely transparent or just telling you what you want to hear.

If you’re in Morris, Sussex, or Warren County and want to work with a local, family-owned team that will walk you through every product we use before we ever set foot in your home, we’d love to talk. We offer free estimates, and we’re always happy to answer these exact questions (and more) before you commit to anything. Contact Affordable Pest Solutions LLC or request a free quote online. No pressure, no contracts, just honest answers.

Frequently Asked Questions