How Do I Prepare for Pest Control Treatment?

As you prepare your home for a pest control visit, there are several things you can do to make the appointment easier for the professionals once they arrive. Read through these tips and keep them in mind the next time you schedule pest control.

In this blog, we’ll look at the following:

What Do I Need to Do Before the Exterminator Comes?

Before your pest control appointment, prepping your home not only makes things easier for you and your family but helps out the exterminator too. Some of the measures you can take before their arrival include:

  • Gather information. Be prepared to tell the pest control technician your concerns and any information you can share to help them help you. This includes info like the type of pests, the location of the pests, and damage caused by the pests.
  • Declutter. Remove any barriers that may get in the pest control technician’s way. Put away dishes, toys, boxes, etc. This gives them room to work efficiently.
  • Clean. Wipe counters, dispose of trash, and vacuum. Make sure to put away food sources and remove standing water in the home.
  • Move family and pets. It’s essential to ask the pest control agency how long they recommend staying out of your house. The pest treatments and chemicals used in extermination can irritate the skin. Likewise, keeping children and animals out of the home gives the exterminator space to work.

Should I Clean the House Before Pest Control?

Yes! Cleaning the home before a pest control appointment makes it much easier for the pest control specialist to perform their treatment. It gives them an organized and clean space to do their tasks.

Some ways to clean your home include:

  • Dusting
  • Vacuuming (Remember to empty the vacuum bag afterward to remove reminiscence of crumbs or pests)
  • Mopping
  • Wiping down counters and windowsills
  • Removing standing water
  • Disinfecting trash bins
  • Moving items out of closets
  • Storing food items away in the pantry, fridge, and cupboards

Do I Need to Cover Furniture for Pest Control?

Ask the pest control company whether to cover the furniture before the appointment. Depending on the treatment being used, plastic covers may be necessary to protect couches, beds, tables, etc. The exterminator may request you move furniture and appliances away from the walls to allow access to these areas (e.g., bed bugs in the bedroom, ants behind the fridge, etc.).

How Long Should You Stay Out After Pest Control?

Pest control experts typically recommend staying out of the home for 2-4 hours following treatment. In more extreme treatments, you may need to wait up to 24 hours before entering the house again. It’s important to know this prior to your appointment so you can make arrangements, especially if you’ll need to stay somewhere else overnight.

Should I Clean My House After Pest Control?

After treatment, cleaning your home to prevent pest control chemicals from lingering is important. Cleaning excess clutter or dust can also deter pests from returning.

Like before the treatment, you should wipe down counters and clean floors to remove residue that could pose a health threat to your family. For the most part, pest companies use the safest treatments available to prevent exposing your home to dangerous chemicals.

Other cleaning practices to consider after pest control treatments include the following:

  • Wiping down counters and other hard surfaces
  • Washing pillowcases, pet bedding, blankets, bed sheets, or towels
  • Mopping hard floors and vacuuming carpeting
  • Opening windows to air out rooms

Remember to ask your exterminator how long to wait between treatment and post-cleaning. The products used in pest control may need time to work, and cleaning could reduce the effectiveness.

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