How to prepare your home before a pest treatment

Getting your home ready before the technician arrives makes the treatment quicker, safer and more effective. Your technician will always explain what they're using and any specific instructions, but this checklist covers what most general pest treatments need.

Before the treatment

• Clear access to skirting boards, the edges of rooms and under sinks, and move furniture slightly away from walls where you can.
• Put away food, cutlery, dishes, toothbrushes and children's toys.
• Pick up pet bowls, beds and toys, and put away pet food.
• Cover fish tanks and turn off the air pump during the treatment, and move birds and reptiles to another room or outside the treatment area.
• Make sure the technician can get into the roof void, sub-floor, garage and garden.
• Tell the technician about anyone at home who is pregnant, has asthma or other health concerns, and about any pets.

On the day

Plan for people and pets to be out of the treated areas while the treatment happens and until surfaces are dry. Your technician will tell you how long that is for your treatment. Take dogs for a walk or arrange a sitter, and keep cats inside a room that isn't being treated or away from home.

After the treatment

• Stay out of treated areas until the technician says it's safe and surfaces are dry.
• Open windows to air the house if advised.
• Avoid mopping skirting boards or wiping treated edges for the time recommended, as this removes the treatment.
• Don't spray your own insecticides over treated areas or bait stations.
• Seeing more insects for a few days is normal while the treatment takes effect.
• Keep up good hygiene to help the treatment last longer.

Want a professional to take a look? Call CITY WIDE on 1300 888 749 or request a free quote below. We look after homes and businesses across Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, Inner City and North West.