What should you do before, during and after a Pest Control Treatment?

Whilst we like to think we’re pretty good at our job, effective pest control can only be achieved when we work together with our customers.

Here are some key tips homeowners can carry out before, during and after our visit to ensure a safe, effective and long-lasting treatment.

Before the treatment

The key action is to tidy up and clear away items so that we can access all areas for inspection and treat the necessary surfaces. In particular, this means that we can access the edges of rooms and the outside perimeter of the home, as these are the areas we spray. Do what you can; obviously, we don’t expect you to move heavy furniture.

From a safety point of view, make sure all children’s and pet’s toys are put away (both inside and outside), and the kitchen surfaces should be clear of food items, crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils.

Although the sprays we use have a good mammalian safety profile, they can be harmful to fish at very low doses. Please make sure any fish tanks and ponds are covered to prevent any spray from accidentally landing in the water.

On the day of the treatment

When we arrive, we will discuss the proposed treatment with you and any safety concerns you may have. We will also carry out a risk assessment before the treatment to make sure we have everything covered.

When we carry out the treatment, you don’t have to leave home, but it’s often easier and more convenient. The main reason is that children and pets need to be kept clear of the treatment areas during application and remain clear until the treatment has dried. Typically, the treatment will be dry around one hour after completion.

After the treatment

While we try to avoid getting any spray on food preparation surfaces, it’s always a good idea to wipe down kitchen surfaces after a treatment, “just in case”.

The main thing to remember about pest sprays is that they leave an invisible layer of insecticide on the treated surfaces. So, any activity that removes the insecticide will reduce the duration of protection. In particular, this means avoiding mopping skirting boards (vacuuming is OK), washing down walls, and spraying windows. It’s OK to wipe the windows, but don’t clean down the window frames.

If you have a lot of spider webs present, leave them in place for a week or two after the treatment (to ensure any hiding spiders pick up the insecticide when they climb onto their web), and then use a brush to remove them (don’t hose them down).

Remember good hygiene practices

The treatment will provide protection from pests for many months. But don’t make it easier for the pests to set up home again. It’s important to make your home less attractive to pests, which primarily means removing potential food sources.

I’m sure everyone is great with their housework :) , but focus on these tips to remove food sources for rodents, cockroaches and ants:

• Clean away dishes and pans after each meal (certainly don’t leave them out overnight)
• Regularly clean cookers, microwaves, dishwashers and under fridges
• Clear up any food spills
• Make sure opened food is stored in sealed glass or plastic containers
• Don’t leave uneaten pet food out

Although these before and after treatment tips are for homeowners, similar principles also apply to treatments at business premises.