What measures should I take to prepare my home for pest control treatments?

Whether you hire professional pest control technicians or go the DIY route, effective elimination requires preparation on the part of both homeowners and professionals. Many pest control companies will provide a list of specific preparation steps to follow in advance of their treatment visit that will help ensure the process goes smoothly and protect against future re-infestation. 

(Searching in Google “exterminator near me”? Contact us today!)

Taking the time to prepare your home for pest control treatments will save you a lot of hassle in the long run, making it much easier to get rid of pests and keep them out for good. Below are some measures you can take to prepare for a pest control treatment: 

Clean your home. This includes removing clutter and food from kitchen counters, bathrooms and elsewhere in the house. You should also clean out your refrigerator and freezer, making sure to discard any frozen foods that are spoiled or moldy. It’s also a good idea to sweep and mop your floors to remove any crumbs or other debris that could attract pests. 

Close any closets, cupboards and drawers that are open. This will give your pest control specialist easy access to hard-to-reach corners of your rooms and will make it easier to see any signs of infestation or damage. It’s a good idea to move any large furniture items away from the walls in the room that is getting treated as well. 

Get rid of any old magazines, newspapers and other paper products that can attract pests. Replace these with plastic storage boxes to prevent pests from hiding inside them. Also, make sure to wipe down countertops, stovetops and other surfaces in your kitchen before the technician arrives to avoid any contamination from sprayed chemicals. 

Repair any cracks, gaps and rotten areas in your home’s exterior to block entry points for pests. It’s also a good idea at this time to mow your lawn and trim bushes around your home so that they aren’t blocking access to any windows, doors or other areas of the home. 

If you have pets, you will need to keep them away from the area where the pest control treatment will be conducted. This will help to protect them from any toxic chemicals and will also help to prevent them from tracking the chemicals throughout the home, which can cause illness or even death. 

If you have any small children’s toys, jewelry, make-up or toiletries on your countertop, you will need to store these items in a secure place such as a cabinet or the bathroom. Ideally, these items should be removed from the countertop and covered with plastic wrap before the treatment starts. This will help to ensure that they don’t absorb any sprayed chemicals and will also protect them from any accidental spillages during the treatment process. You should also cover any wooden furniture pieces, including storage beds, with plastic wrapping for the same reason. This will make it easier for the technician to spray these wood-based materials without damaging them.