Kids, Pets, And Termite Treatments: What “Safe” Really Means For Your Home
- Jameson Elam
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
About the Author: Jameson Elam is the owner and operator of Good Sense Termite, serving Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties. With over 14 years of hands-on experience in the termite control industry, Jameson specializes in thorough inspections, accurate diagnostics, and long-term solutions tailored to California homes. His deep knowledge of local termite behavior and building structures has made Good Sense Termite a trusted name for homeowners and real estate professionals alike.
Why “Is It Safe?” Is The Right Question
If you have kids, pets, or both, every home service turns into the same thought:
“Is this actually ok for my family, or am I going to regret this later?”
Termite work is no exception.
You might hear:
“It is totally fine once it dries”
“We do this all the time, no worries”
“The label says it is safe”
None of that helps much if you do not know what is being used, where it is going, and what you should do with the dog bowls, toys, and crib.
This post is meant to do three things:
Explain how termite treatments are usually applied around people and animals
Point out the questions parents and pet owners should ask
Show how Good Sense Termite plans around real families, not empty houses
No scare tactics, no “zero risk” claims. Just a clear look at how this actually works in real homes.
What “Safe” Usually Means In Termite Work
When a licensed company talks about a treatment being “safe,” they are usually talking about three things:
Where the product goes
Into wood
Into soil around the structure
Into targeted sites, not general open air inside the house
How people and animals might contact it
Direct contact during application is avoided
Re entry happens after a set time, once label rules are met
How the product is used
At specific rates and locations defined on the label
By trained, licensed applicators
In other words, risk is managed by:
Using products where they are meant to go
Keeping people and animals out of the way while that happens
Letting things dry, soak in, or air out before anyone goes back
That does not mean “no possible risk to any person ever.” It means the work is planned so normal home life can resume once the label conditions are met.
If someone tells you a treatment has “no risk at all,” your follow up questions should get louder, not quieter.
Three Common Types Of Termite Treatment And What Families Should Know
Every company has its own mix of methods, but most termite work falls into three broad buckets.
1. Local Wood Treatments
These are focused jobs at specific sites, for example:
Treating a known Drywood termite gallery in a window frame
Treating an area of damaged trim, siding, or fascia
Treating a limited section of framing in a wall or attic
What usually happens:
Product is applied directly into or onto wood in a focused spot
Sometimes small holes are drilled to inject material
Work may be inside or outside, depending on access
What parents and pet owners should know:
You and your animals should stay clear of the work zone while treatment is applied
Toys, pet beds, and food bowls should be moved out of the area first
Once the material has dried and any label re entry time has passed, normal use of the room or space resumes
Good questions to ask:
“Where exactly will you be applying product”
“Do I need to move toys, dog beds, or crib items from this room”
“How long do you want the area clear before my kids or pets are back in here”
2. Soil Or Perimeter Treatments
These are aimed at Subterranean termites that move through soil.
What usually happens:
Trenching or drilling near the foundation
Product applied into soil along the house perimeter
Sometimes injection through slabs at the edge of the structure
What parents and pet owners should know:
Keep kids and pets away from treated soil while it is fresh
Follow the company’s specific guidance for when it is ok to walk near those areas again
You may want to keep dogs on leash and kids off dirt right next to treated zones for the recommended period
Good questions to ask:
“Which sides of the house are you treating”
“How long do you want kids and pets away from that fresh soil”
“Should I move outdoor toys, dog bowls, or small pools away before you start”
3. Whole Structure Fumigation
This is the full tenting process, used for widespread Drywood termite problems.
What usually happens:
The home is sealed with tarps
A gas fumigant is released inside
The gas is held for a set period, then vented
The structure is tested before anyone goes back in
What parents and pet owners should know:
Everyone leaves the structure, including pets and plants
Food and certain items are either bagged or removed based on the fumigation plan
Re entry happens only after a clearance test shows gas levels have dropped to accepted limits
Good questions to ask:
“How many nights will we be out”
“What exactly needs to be bagged or removed”
“How will you confirm it is ok to come back in with kids and pets”
If fumigation is ever on the table, you should expect a longer, very clear prep list that covers details like fish tanks, small animals, and medications.
Planning Around Kids: Practical Steps
You do not need to wrap your entire home in plastic to get through a termite job. A few simple habits go a long way.
Before treatment day:
Move loose items
Toys, stuffed animals, floor mats, and crib gear away from the treatment zones
Clear safe access
Make sure closets, under sinks, and corners the inspector mentioned are easy to reach
Tell the company about routines
Nap times
Work from home needs
Special health considerations
During treatment:
Keep kids out of treatment areas
Plan an outing, playdate, or time in a different part of the house
For exterior work, keep kids inside or away from the sides being treated
After treatment:
Follow the re entry timing given by the company
Wipe down reachable surfaces in kids’ zones if that helps you feel more at ease, even if it is not strictly required
For small children who crawl, ask the tech directly:
“Any areas you do not want a crawling toddler on yet”
If your child has asthma, allergies, or other medical concerns, it is always reasonable to talk with their doctor and share the treatment plan.
Planning Around Pets: Dogs, Cats, Fish, And More
Pets explore the world with their paws, noses, and mouths, so planning for them matters.
For dogs and cats:
Before treatment
Pick up water bowls and food dishes near treatment zones
Move beds and blankets out of the area
During treatment
Keep pets in a closed room, crate, or off site while techs are working
After treatment
Put bowls and beds back only after treated areas are dry and re entry timing is met
For outdoor soil work, walk dogs away from freshly treated soil for the period your provider recommends
For fish and aquariums (non fumigation work):
For standard local or soil treatments, these usually stay in place
Keep in mind that strong smells or aerosols around tanks are not ideal, so ask the tech where they will be working and whether any products will be used in the same room
For small animals and birds:
Cages near active treatment sites should be moved out of the exact room or outside area being treated
If your pet is especially sensitive, a temporary room change during the appointment is a simple precaution
If fumigation is involved:
All live animals leave the house
Your fumigation company should give a specific checklist for pets, aquariums, and any sensitive items
Again, if your pet has a medical condition, a quick call to your vet with the treatment plan is reasonable.
Questions You Should Feel Free To Ask Any Termite Company
You should never feel like a nuisance for wanting clear answers.
Good questions include:
“What product types are you using today and where will they go”
“How long do you want kids and pets away from each treated area”
“Do I need to wash floors or surfaces before my baby crawls here again”
“Is there anything in this plan you would avoid if this were your own family’s house”
If a company cannot answer these in simple language, that is a red flag.
How Good Sense Termite Handles Safety Conversations
We inspect a lot of homes with:
Toddlers
Teens doing school from home
Dogs that greet the inspector
Indoor cats that think they own the place
So we treat safety as part of the job, not an afterthought.
During the inspection and before any work:
We explain what we found and what kind of treatment we recommend
We talk through whether that is interior, exterior, or both
We ask about kids, pets, and anyone with special health concerns in the home
Before treatment day, we:
Give simple, written prep instructions
Spell out what needs to be moved, covered, or relocated
Explain how long you should keep kids and pets out of specific areas
On treatment day, we:
Let you know when we are starting and when we are finished
Confirm re entry timing for each area we treated
Point out any spots we want you to avoid for a bit longer and why
For Bay Area homes not in active escrow, inspections are free. For homes in escrow, we offer fee based inspections that meet real estate requirements.
FAQ: Family Safety And Termite Treatments
Q: Is termite treatment safe for kids and pets?
A: Termite products are used under strict rules that control where they go and how people can contact them. When applied by licensed pros who follow the label and when you follow prep and re entry directions, they are designed to fit normal family life. If you have specific medical concerns, talk with your doctor or vet and share the treatment plan.
Q: Do I have to wash everything after a termite treatment?
A: For standard local and soil treatments, no, you do not usually need to wash every surface in the home. You may choose to wipe floors or contact areas in kids’ rooms for your own comfort, but your termite company should tell you if any specific cleaning is required.
Q: How long should I keep my dog off treated soil?
A: It depends on the product and conditions. Your inspector or technician should give you a clear time window. If they do not, ask directly. In general, keep pets away while work is active and until treated areas are dry and safe per label and company guidance.
Q: What if my child has asthma or strong allergies?
A: Share that with your termite company ahead of time. They can adjust scheduling and application sites and may suggest extra ventilation time in some cases. It is also wise to ask your child’s doctor if you should take any added steps.
Q: Can I be home during the treatment?
A: For local and soil treatments yes, as long as you and your family stay out of the direct work zones. For fumigation, the entire structure is vacated for the period required. Your company should tell you when you can be inside and when you cannot.
Final Thoughts: Safety Is A Conversation, Not A Slogan
You should never have to choose between protecting your home from termites and feeling comfortable about your kids and pets.
The real key is not a magic word like “safe.” It is:
Knowing what is being done
Knowing where products are used
Getting simple, direct instructions for your family
Working with a company that treats your questions like a normal part of the process
If you want termite answers that include your kids and pets in the plan from the start, we are here for that.
Schedule an inspection with Good Sense Termite. We will talk through protection and practical life in the same conversation. It is just Good Sense.