Whether you are having a crisis management visit or regular pest management maintenance, there are a few steps you can take to make the process as painless and effective as possible. These involve removing food sources, making your house accessible and having a place for you and your pets to hide out while the experts are at work.
Dispose of Trash
It is no secret that pests and vermin love your trash. This includes countertop compost, that mysterious black stuff at the bottom of the bin and the pile of rotting furniture down the side of the house. It is no use kicking out the intruders if you are going to give them a way back into your house. It is very important to dispose of any waste gathered by the vacuum cleaner thoroughly, as it may be full of eggs and form an incubation site.
Clean Everything Thoroughly
This should go without saying. Dust and grime are important food sources for cockroaches and other creepy crawlies. Rodents will consume each other’s feces and mice use urine trails to navigate. Vacuum the carpet extensively, and consider getting it dry cleaned. Carpet can trap eggs, mites, lice, ticks and food for all pests. The same can be said for bed sheets, low-lying drapery, and rugs. Once clean, it is a good idea to bag these items to avoid reinfestation and contamination from pest management chemicals, which can be irritating to the skin.
Removing food sources will force pests to reveal themselves and make the control treatment more effective.
Make Nooks and Crannies Accessible
Those places where the sun doesn’t shine are the places pests like the most. Get furniture clear of walls, you will want the pest controller to have access. If you can, enable access behind the fridge, stovetop and any other white goods. Washing machines can create damp patches and these are particularly troublesome. You want to minimize the chances of pests taking hold or returning to their occupation after the treatment so make sure any hot spots are exposed and the pest controller can get in there.
Prepare to be Elsewhere
Depending on the treatment required, it is likely you will not want to be in the house while the exterminator is. They will be using chemicals that can irritate lungs, skin and aquatic organisms. If you have an aquarium, make sure it is sealed for the duration of the process. If you have other pets, make sure they are elsewhere.
Depending on the extent of the issues that the pest controller has to handle, they may require more than a few hours to do their job. A serious termite infestation may take a few days or more to deal with. In this case, they should give you ample warning to make other arrangements.
In most cases, it makes sense to leave the premises only for a matter of hours. Take the opportunity to see that new film at the cinema or have a long lunch with friends. Take a drive to the country or go bird watching. Your options are as extensive as your imagination. Just don’t expose yourself, your loved ones or your pets to the potentially harmful chemicals being unleashed on your unwanted guests.
For a similar reason, you’ll want your bedding and foodstuffs sealed away from these chemicals.
Talk to the Experts
Every property will require a unique treatment and it is not always easy to guess what that might be. Call your pest control experts in Brisbane; AGJ Pest Management, on 07 3171 8277 and have a chat today about what steps you should take to prepare for your own property for pest control. It may not be feasible for you to take all of the precautions listed here so it is worth discussing options with the professionals. We can also be contacted online.
