Shelli, the concern is that they are poisons.

Most pesticides are toxic, which makes them effective against unwanted pests but also poisonous to humans and animals.

Used only occasionally and as a last resort, they can be an effective garden tool, but care must to taken to read and understand the entire label, make sure you are using the right product for the target pest, protect hands, face while using the smallest effective amount.

I rarely find the need to use a pesticide in my garden but do keep Orthene on hand for those few times that nothing else is working. Timing is important...I don't spray rhododendrons for weevil when in bloom - the time bees and other benificials are present; spraying late in the day or in the cool of the morning can also help to protect insects other than your target pest.

I never find a reason to resort to a pesticide indoors.

And keep in mind that about half of the U.S. population depends on groundwater for drinking. Careless application or disposal of pesticides can contaminate ground-water.

i am not adverse to their use .... if used properly, according to all instructions ...

i prefer not to use them in the house .... but when it comes to the bugs or my family ... bugs lose ...

i work under the assumption that ONE application of a systemic bug killer, is not an EXPOSURE significant enough to do any harm ... i mean i am not a mouse, force fed my bodyweight of the chemical every day for a month to see what affect will occur ...

but for houseplants, i would prefer to apply the systemic in late summer and prepare the plants for being indoors....in summer you should repot you houseplants with sterilized soil ... then after a recovery period.. treat with an appropriate systemic insecticide [or nonchemical alternative] and then take them in the house ... as usual .. an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure ...

if you have to treat them in the house ... i have foudn the bathtub to be a good place to spray them down ... close the door.. put on the fan .. until they dry ... then return them to the house in general ... why not isolate the application ...

also as usual ... moderation is best... you dont have to go nuclear in trying to solve a bug issue in the house ... its not worth shortening your life to kill a bug ...

long ago .. when i was single [meaning no lids in the house].. i had a bunch of light stands in the house... and was not aware of soil sterilization and general preventative bug management.. in the dead of winter... i was invaded .... my stroke of genius was to work out the logic that these things happen when dogs bring fleas into the house .. which the dog never did, bless him .. but that lead me to speak with a vet about flee bombs in the house .. they are general bug killers.. and made for use in the house .... not prefered ... but sometimes you hit your limit .... one thing for sure.. i didnt have spiders for years after.. lol ... nor the fungus gants ..... or any other problems ... but i read all the intstructions.. and did what they said ... and this did not solve the problem of bug larvae in the soil ... it only knocked down the adult population ...

my opinion ... is that a single application is an insignificant exposure, when done properly and according to all instruction .. and a lot cheaper than years of psychiatric after care ... lol ...

ken

PS: to answer the question specifically .. the concern is over-exposure over time .... IMHO .. one exposure, one time.. done properly ...is not an issue...

And herein lies the problem. Most people don't understand the dangers of the the very products they are using. For example....a systemic product will remain in the soil for some time. In containers, they will not be exposed to a working soil system that will break them down. Thus, a one time application could mean a chronic low dose inhalation exposure for days or even weeks. This is why most of the systemics have been taken off the market for homeowner use completely. They can't be used safely, inside.

Some people are susceptible to even a tiny exposure of household pesticides. This list is very simple: young children, the elderly, anyone who is or has been ill, anyone with liver function impairment, anyone who is taking medications that may impair liver function (MANY very common medications qualify), pregnant women, and in some cases, men and women intending to have children. Oh, and dogs, cats, and birds, and any other small varmint you may have as pets.

Can some of these chemicals be used safely in a household with none of the above inhabitants? I think so. I have used boric acid ant baits in my home with great success. Like Mor, I find it very easy to prevent, discourage, and control pests in other ways. Inside and out.

And Ken (who I am very fond of, though I don't sound like it sometimes!!)...this is for you. All it takes is one exposure. One time...even done properly...but on the wrong day for you. Believe me, my friend....you don't want to go down that path, because it ain't fun.

Shelli, may I make a suggestion? Use this forum as your sounding board. Post questions about specific problems and see what others suggest. People like Mor and Ken and a host of others will be able to offer lots of reasonable and helpful remedies. Newbies and oldies will share a great deal of helpful, hands-on information.

hey rhizo .. no need to qualify your answer in fear i will be upset .... i like the banter we have .... sometimes you correct me .. maybe too often .. lol .. other times i win ... whatever ...

but the forum people always win when we disagree or agree .. stimulating the old grey cells of everyone ...

there are reasons i quit using most insecticides .. and they are 3 and 7 years old ... its also why i quit growing roses .. to avoid the chemical regiment necessary for proper growth ...

but in making that decision .. i also decided that i didnt need house plants ... not only for the bugs.. but for the fact that kids like dirt.. so i prefer the dirt stay outside ...

but that doesnt mean we cant discuss the options out there...

we have both lectured.. in every response .. to research ... read all instructions.. and make all applications according to such ...

the bottom line.. is to do your own research .. make your own assessments of the risks and the benefits.. and make your own decisions ... its the old risk-benefit ratio ...

fear is based on lack of knowledge .. and the best way to ovecome fear is to learn everything you can, BEFORE YOU ACT ....

also .... i remembered that it was my wifes mouser that brought the fleas in .... as in 'flea infested vermin' .. lol .. whatever possesses a cat to bring its dead play things to the house is beyond me ... but then i didnt have a mouse problem anymore ... and shortly thereafter they came up with flea controls for dogs and cats ... first the yucky oil on the nape of the neck .. then pills and shots ...

my biggest point in all this .. properly treat the plant before it is brought into the house ... and you wont be considering using chemicals in the house ... repot in sterilized soil ... and treat outdoors IF NECESSARY ... PREVENTION first ...

ken

let see DDT Intro 1940's last used in late 199o's tree huggers claimed it was affecting the Bald eagle eggs, as late as 2001, reported in human male children whose reproductive organs will not develop beyond what they were born with..

Would you like to be in their shoes?? I doubt it..

Almost every pesticide has proven draw backs, So far I think that tobacco tea or dust is the safest

A great concern to many of us.

Aphids for example. Spraying with poisons usually just doesn't help. And the insecticide kills all the good bugs, bees,good wasps, etc.

Lots of organic things that work much better.

To kill aphids, watch very carefully, then in the morning spray the leaves (roses for example) with a stream of water from garden hose. (do not do this in the evening)

For blight on tomatoes; for powdery mildew on roses, and veg, I use a spray of soda and soap.

And so on.

I feel the same way about weed killers (most of them are 2-4D). Many of my neighbors use this potent poison for dandelions, and they always have more dandelions than I do.

Go organic, I say!