Preparing your home for a pest control service or termite inspection can seem daunting. Many homeowners wonder, “What do I need to do?” or “Where should the technician access?”
At Advance Pest Control, we believe in empowering you with the knowledge to make the process smooth and effective. That’s why our technicians have compiled these six essential tips to help you prepare:
1. Ensure Clear Access Inside and Out
Our technicians need unobstructed access to key areas both inside and outside your home.
- Inside: For basic pest treatments, we treat the perimeter of each room. Please move furniture, clutter and personal items away from baseboards. This ensures thorough treatment, targeting those hidden spots where pests love to harbor.
- Outside: Ensure clear pathways around your home’s exterior, allowing the technician to access all foundation areas, door frames and window frames.
2. Protect Clothing and Furniture
We understand the value of your belongings. To prevent any accidental contact with treatment products:
- Remove all clothing from the floor and place it in laundry baskets.
- Pull furniture, especially couches and items against exterior walls, about 12 inches away from the wall. Our water-based products can be absorbed by fabrics, so this precaution is crucial.
3. Prepare Your Kitchen and Dining Area
The kitchen is a prime target for pests due to readily available food and water.
- Empty your trash daily to minimize attractants.
- Clear countertops of all utensils, dishes, and food. This allows for effective placement of bait traps and other treatments, particularly for ants.
- If you’re dealing with roaches, clear out cabinets to prevent chemicals from contacting household items.
- Move your refrigerator away from the wall, pests love to live behind refrigerators.
4. Safeguard Your Pets
The safety of your pets is our priority.
- Keep pets in a separate, untreated area during the service.
- Our products typically dry within 15-20 minutes, after which it’s safe for pets to return.
- Remove pet bedding and toys from treatment areas.
- Cover aquariums to prevent overspray, as fish are highly sensitive.
5. Protect Potted Plants
While our exterior treatments are targeted, overspray can occur.
- Cover valuable potted plants near exterior walls, door frames, and window frames to protect them from potential overspray.
6. Prepare Bathrooms for Targeted Treatment
Bathrooms provide ideal conditions for pests like silverfish and roaches.
- Clear bathroom cabinets to allow for targeted treatment with specialized products.
- Remove open containers of soaps and toiletries, including toothbrushes, to avoid contamination from possible overspray.
Making Preparation a Habit
For our quarterly service customers, these tips should become routine before each appointment. For one-time service customers, following these guidelines ensures the best possible outcome. Your safety and the safety of your family, including your pets, are our top priorities.
By taking these steps, you’ll help our technicians deliver the most effective and efficient pest control service possible, keeping your home pest-free.
