Did you know that over 14 million households in the U.S. have reported spotting rodents in their home? The odds of a pest infestation are more common than you think. So, if you’re in need of a pest control service, what do you need to do to prepare?
Keep reading to learn how to prep your home for a residential pest control treatment.
Table of Contents
Clean the Kitchen of Food Waste, Dirty Dishes, and Other Clutter
You will want to clean your whole home prior to any pest control treatment, especially the kitchen. You should eliminate potential sources of food for pests, including crumbs and food waste on dirty dishes. A smart homeowner will clean and scrub countertops, put away small appliances, and pay close attention to small cracks and crevices.
If you use a vacuum, bring the vacuum outside once you are finished to remove the bag or empty the canister. Seal up the waste in a plastic bag and throw it away outside of your home in case it contains insect eggs. Then, wipe down the vacuum with a wet rag.
Put Open Food Into Airtight Containers
Dry goods, including pet food, are a huge target for all kinds of household pests. Flour, oats, pasta, grains, cereal, chips, sweets, etc., are all packaged to make them easily accessible to insects or rodents. If you are having this type of problem dealt with, start sorting through your pantry now.
Using glass or plastic airtight containers, seal away perishable foods off of the ground in a place that pests cannot easily access. As a part of this practice, make sure you don’t leave food out on your counters or in your sink. Store things like produce in your fridge or suitable containers.
Remove Clothes, Blankets, Curtains, Towels, and Other Linens to Wash
If you’re dealing with insects like fleas or bed bugs, you will want to remove all of the linens from your home and wash them in very hot water. Fleas, bedbugs, and other bugs can lay eggs in fabrics, meaning the problem could come back even after the adult pests have been dealt with.
Additionally, stink bugs, cockroaches, and rodents can cause allergies in people and animals and foul odors. The linens should not be replaced until four hours after the treatment unless otherwise indicated by the pest control company. If you have more questions about how to prepare for residential pest treatment, click for more.
Find Temporary Boarding for Pets
Many modern-day treatments used by residential pest control companies are safe for pets. However, it is still a good idea to set up temporary boarding for your pets on the day your home is being treated. This is because the pest control specialist needs access to the whole house and may want to leave a door or window open, and pets can make this tricky.
Move Furniture Away from the Walls
A common method that pest control companies employ is to spray or apply pesticides to the perimeters of rooms. Moving your furniture and appliances away from the walls beforehand allows the control specialist to navigate your home easier and potentially spot signs of pests you did not notice.
That’s How to Prepare for a Pest Control Service
If you need pest control service or treatment for your home, you can expect to do some deep cleaning before the visit. Additionally, you will want to properly store your food, remove linens for cleaning, temporarily board your pets, and move your furniture for easy access.
If you found this article on home pest control helpful, take a look at the rest of our blog for more informative posts!
