Are Lawn Spray Treatments Safe for Pets and Kids?

Biting insects, persistent weeds, and unhealthy lawns are common occurrences in any lawn, especially when it is not receiving the necessary lawn spray treatments. However, many homeowners worry about potential chemical exposure to children or pets should they hire a lawn spray service. Safety concerns are valid. As a lawn care service for homeowners in the Tri-Cities and Yakima, we want to address your concerns transparently. Today, we are sharing how modern lawn care products are formulated, what safety precautions are taken, and what Colonial Lawn & Garden does to keep clients comfortable with the work.

What Are Lawn Spray Treatments?

Lawn spray treatments are a professional application designed to support the health and beauty of your property through weed control, fertilization, and pest control. The products used in lawn spray treatments are curated to the unique situation of your yard and the environmental factors at play, such as grass type, climate conditions, and time of year.

For example, in the springtime, lawn spray treatments typically focus on pre-emergent weed control, whereas in summertime, the focus is usually pest control.

Lawn spray treatments, applied by licensed professionals, must meet the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That means both the products used and the application technique must be approved by the EPA, which has performed rigorous safety evaluations to ensure they're effective and safe when used as directed.

Are Modern Lawn Sprays Safe?

Given the stringent operating procedures and product testing performed by the EPA, homeowners and business owners can trust that lawn spray treatments performed by licensed, professional companies are safe. These treatments are designed to break down quickly and pose minimal risk when used correctly.

At Colonial Lawn & Garden, our licensed and highly experienced technicians are trained to follow strict application protocols approved by the EPA. We only use products approved for residential use, including around children and pets. However, we do more than follow the rules!

How Colonial Lawn & Garden Prioritizes Safety

At Colonial Lawn & Garden, we prioritize safety above everything else. We want our customers to be secure on their property, knowing that their children and pets are safe from unnecessary exposure. Here is how we prioritize safety:

First, we take careful care of our application equipment. We calibrate our equipment for controlled, minimal application. This precision prevents overapplication of the product, ensuring each treatment is applied evenly and in the right amount.

Second, we provide our clients with clear communication about re-entry times. Typically, within less than 24 hours, depending on the seasonal product, we let you know when it is safe to resume normal activity for the whole family. Additionally, if you have any questions, we are more than happy to provide an explanation.

Third, we offer to place brightly colored flags on your lawn after treatment to signal that a lawn spray service has taken place. Should your lawn be frequented by neighbors, passing pets, delivery drivers, or others who would not be aware of your lawn spray treatments, this provides an added layer of safety.

Lastly, we time our treatments to environmental conditions. Should there be a day of heavy rain or high winds, we will postpone your service to reduce the risk of product runoff or drift. This not only prevents your treatment from escaping, but it keeps it out of storm drains or your neighbors' properties.

Tips for Homeowners After a Lawn Treatment

Being cautious is never a bad thing when reintroducing children or pets to areas that have been chemically treated, even if such treatments are child- and pet-friendly. Here is what we recommend homeowners do after lawn spray treatments for the best results.

Wait the recommended amount of time before allowing kids or pets to play outside. If you are unsure of the timeframe, ask your lawn spray service.

Avoid watering or mowing immediately after treatment unless instructed to do so, as this can dilute or spread the treatment beyond its intended area.

Keep toys, pet dishes, or any movable objects inside during application to prevent them from getting sprayed.

Always follow any specific instructions provided by your lawn care provider

Benefits of Professional Lawn Care vs. DIY Sprays

Homeowners in Yakima, the Tri-Cities, and surrounding areas who want a green, healthy lawn may be tempted to try DIY lawn care. Unfortunately, DIY sprays are often more time-consuming and hazardous than homeowners realize. Not only do you have to learn about, buy, prepare, apply, and store the chemicals and equipment, but you have to be extremely careful with your measurements and application. If not, you may end up overapplying, which can damage your lawn, underapplying, which will result in minimal impact, or performing unsafe handling, which could pose a safety risk to children or pets.

When you work with a professional lawn spray service, you gain access to highly trained technicians who are well-versed in proper handling and follow stringent safety protocols. These professional lawn spray treatments reduce the risk of improper application and are personalized to the unique needs of your lawn. This, in turn, minimizes unnecessary chemical use, as they aren't doing blanket, cookie-cutter sprays, but specially formulated treatments designed with your property in mind.

Contact Colonial Lawn & Garden for expert advice and family-safe lawn care you can trust. You can call the Yakima office at (509) 966-1655 or the Tri-Cities office at (509) 371-1655.