Cockroaches and bedbugs. Mosquitoes and mice. Raccoons and rats. Dealing with pests is stressful enough on its own, but preparing for a visit from a pest-control technician? That can add yet another layer of strain. Don’t get too apprehensive about that upcoming visit from a Smithereen technician though. It shouldn’t cause the least bit of concern. Read on to learn all about the basics everyone should follow before pest control treatments take place in your home or business.
When to Move Furniture for Pest Control
For most common pests, you shouldn’t need to worry about moving furniture. Most advanced pest-control measures (such as the Green Shield Certified approach that Smithereen Pest Management Services uses) involve establishing an invisible perimeter that bugs and other creepy crawlies won’t breach. In other words, the treatment happens at the edges of your property, not near your bookcase or couch.
However, there is one exception to not needing to move furniture: termites. In order to properly prepare for a termite treatment, you should move all of your furniture out from the walls wherever possible. Additionally, remove all indoor plants from the premises and make sure that you’ve taken all plastic-sealed mattresses out of their bags.
Preparing a Home for Pest Treatments
Aside from termite treatments, home preparation for most pest-control treatments involves maintaining proper cleanliness within your house. After all, prevention is just as important as elimination, and when you can keep pests from getting into your home, you don’t have to call in professional pest management!
What does preparation involve? Consider taking the following steps:
- Clear sinks of any dirty dishes
- Eliminate any standing water in and around your home
- Vacuum regularly
- Wipe down counter tops
- Place all food and perishable items in airtight containers whenever possible
- Dispose of/put away all paper goods and products
- Pack clothing away in dressers or closets
- Eliminate clutter where critters could hide
Though Smithereen prides itself on using the least toxic treatments available, it still makes sense to remove pets from the premises, cover cribs, and have pregnant women go elsewhere.
Preparing an Apartment for Pest Control
Dealing with pests in an apartment isn’t all that much different from preparing a home for a treatment. But managing cockroaches, bed bugs, mice, and the like in a multi-family dwelling becomes all the more urgent due to a single simple fact: Pests can easily spread from one unit to another. For this reason, it may even be beneficial to alert your neighbors of any pest issues or upcoming pest control treatments you have scheduled. The heads-up may cause them to be more mindful of their habits and cleanliness.
As soon as you notice pests in your apartment, contact your landlord and clean your unit thoroughly. Ignoring a problem may put you in violation of your lease and in extreme cases, could get you evicted if the situation becomes dire. Fortunately, the same holds true for your neighbors. If their slovenliness is causing an invasion of pests, alerting your landlord will help get the situation addressed quicker.
What Businesses Should Do Before Pest Control
Though businesses generally follow the same rules as homes and apartments, they can run into some unique wrinkles when it comes to commercial fumigations. Decision makers should always alert tenants well in advance of the treatment, and (if possible) they can hold a meeting with a representative so that they know what to expect.
Some of those expectations should include the bagging of any items packaged in foil, paper, cardboard, or plastic. Doors should also be left open to facilitate the spread of the agent, and Smithereen will need to have keys for all locked areas to make sure they remain open.
What Should I Do with My Pets Before a Pest Treatment?
Smithereen prides itself on being an environmentally friendly pest-management company, one that uses the least poisonous alternatives available. Usually, our treatments won’t bother pets. But we believe that exercising abundant caution always makes sense.
Immediately prior to a treatment, try to keep your pets in an area of your residence we won’t be treating. To avoid any possible contact with chemicals or sprays, you should also remove any of your pet’s toys from areas we will be treating. If you keep caged animals, their homes should also be placed in a room or area of your home we will not be treating. If this isn’t possible, drape a towel over their homes to keep any overspray from affecting them.
Whether dealing with your pets or your person, Smithereen has one simple goal: your good. Contact us today at (800) 336-3500 to learn more about how we can help keep your home, apartment, or business pest free.