Chapter 25
Dangerous Nuisances and Hazards to Health
INSECTS AND OTHER PESTS
4.a. As to ants, flies and other insects which do not bite or sting human beings, one is not permitted
1) to kill them,
2) to catch them,
3) to tread on them in the course of walking even without intending to kill them,
4) to swill water over them in such a way that they will certainly be killed or
5) to lay down poison in order to kill them
4.b. One may
1) sprinkle paraffin (which one had designated before Shabbath or Yom Tov, for this or some other
permitted use) near such insects, so that the smell will drive them away, or
2) put down poison before the commencement of Shabbath or Yom Tov.
5.a. One is allowed to spray insecticide in the room of a person who is sick (even if he is not seriously ill) or in a room where there is a child, in order to drive insects out, but one should make sure
1) to leave a door or window open, so that the insects can escape and
2) not to spray the insects themselves,
since to kill them is forbidden (except as mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2 above)
5.b. An aerosol spray may be used for the purpose.
5.c. For the circumstances in which one may rub one’s body with insect repellent see Chapter 14, paragraph 31.
