Pest infestations are an unfortunate reality for many Australian households.
Whether it’s termites, cockroaches, or bed bugs, dealing with pests can be stressful, and professional pest control treatments are often necessary to keep your home safe and comfortable.
However, the key to ensuring a successful treatment lies in how well you prepare beforehand and what you do after the process.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll outline what to do before and after pest control treatments, helping you make the process more efficient and reducing the risk of future infestations.
Let’s get straight to the point
To ensure effective pest control treatments, it’s important to prepare your home before and follow proper steps afterwards.
Before treatment, clear the area, safely store personal items and food, cover or remove bedding and plants, and relocate pets.
After treatment, wait for the all-clear to re-enter, avoid immediate cleaning, dispose of contaminated food, wear gloves when handling treated surfaces, and keep pets and children away temporarily.
Follow-up appointments may be necessary for severe infestations. Professional pest control is essential for tackling tough pests like termites and cockroaches, reducing health risks, and preventing further damage.
How to Prepare Before a Pest Control Treatment
Preparing for a pest control treatment is crucial for its success. A pest control expert can eliminate pests more effectively if you take steps to ensure the hard-to-reach areas in your home are accessible.
Additionally, you’ll protect your belongings and make the process smoother for the professional.
Clear the Area
Start by removing large items of furniture or appliances that could obstruct the exterminator from reaching key areas. This allows for more thorough treatment and ensures no pests are left behind.
Store Personal Belongings Safely
Protect your personal items like clothes, jewellery, toiletries, and children’s toys by storing them in sealed cabinets or drawers.
This ensures they don’t come into contact with any chemicals used during the treatment.
Protect Bedding and Furniture
Cover bedding materials such as sheets, pillows, and mattresses to avoid contamination from sprays.
If possible, move these items out of the treatment area entirely. Similarly, cover couches, chairs, and other upholstery with plastic to keep them safe from chemical exposure.
Secure Food and Kitchen Items
Food left out can easily become contaminated during pest control treatments. Store all food items in plastic containers or, better yet, move them out of the kitchen entirely. Don’t forget to empty the sink and cover the faucets securely.
Remove or Cover Plants
Indoor plants should be removed or covered to prevent exposure to harmful chemicals.
Use plastic sheets to cover walls or any other surfaces that could be affected by the treatment process.
Empty Bathrooms and Secure Pets
Bathrooms often serve as a hiding place for pests. Empty cabinets and remove any personal items before the treatment.
Also, it’s important to relocate your pets during pest control, as they are more sensitive to chemicals. Make sure their food, water, and bedding are securely stored away.
What to Do After a Pest Control Treatment
Once the pest control treatment is completed, the steps you take afterwards can help solidify its effectiveness and prevent future pest problems. Here’s what you should focus on:
Wait for the All-Clear
The pest control professionals will inform you when it’s safe to re-enter your home. Always follow their instructions regarding re-entry times to avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals.
Delay Cleaning for a While
One of the most common mistakes is to start cleaning immediately after a pest control treatment.
Doing so can wash away the residual chemicals, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Ask your exterminator how long you should wait before cleaning surfaces in treated areas, typically a few days.
Dispose of Contaminated Food
If any food items were left out during the treatment, it’s best to throw them away.
Even if they appear untouched, there’s a chance they have been contaminated by chemicals, making them unsafe for consumption.
Wear Gloves When Handling Surfaces
Even though modern pesticides used in Australia are generally safe for humans, it’s still a good idea to wear gloves when touching surfaces that were treated.
This adds an extra layer of protection and minimises the risk of skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Keep Pets and Children Safe
Depending on the chemicals used, it might take a few hours or even a day for the area to be safe for pets and small children.
Some pets, especially smaller ones like birds or reptiles, are more sensitive to chemicals than humans. Consult your vet to ensure when it’s safe for your pets to return home.
Expect Some Pests to Linger
It’s normal to see live pests for a while after treatment, especially if it’s your first session.
Ask the pest control technician when you can expect the pest activity to subside. For most treatments, it should take around two weeks for pests to disappear completely.
Schedule Follow-Up Appointments
For certain pests, especially termites, cockroaches, or bed bugs, one treatment may not be enough.
Schedule follow-up treatments to ensure the infestation is fully eradicated. Staying on top of treatments is crucial in keeping pests at bay for the long term.
Why Professional Pest Control is Important
While there are many DIY pest control solutions available in Australia, they may not always be the most effective, especially for severe infestations.
Professional pest control services offer more comprehensive and targeted treatments that can prevent further damage to your home and health.
Some Pests Are Difficult to Eliminate
Certain pests, like bed bugs and cockroaches, are notoriously hard to remove without professional help.
Bed bugs hide in small cracks and reproduce rapidly, making DIY efforts ineffective. Cockroaches, on the other hand, can spread diseases and are a serious health hazard if not dealt with swiftly.
Health Risks of Pests
Pests don’t just damage property; they also pose health risks. Cockroaches, for example, can contaminate food and contribute to asthma and allergies, especially in children.
Hiring a professional pest control company ensures that the infestation is handled safely and thoroughly, reducing health risks for your family.
Prevent Minor Infestations from Growing
If you catch an infestation early, professional pest control can prevent it from spiralling into a bigger problem.
Termites, for example, can cause structural damage if not treated quickly. Calling in experts early on can save you significant costs in the future.
Possible Health Effects from Pest Control Treatments
In Australia, pest control chemicals are regulated and safe when applied correctly. However, some individuals may experience mild side effects due to chemical exposure.
These side effects can include throat irritation, skin rashes, or lightheadedness.
Sensitivity to Pesticides
Certain people, such as those with asthma or chemical allergies, may be more sensitive to the chemicals used.
If this applies to you or a family member, inform your pest control provider beforehand to discuss alternative treatments, such as organic pesticides.
Pregnant Women Should Be Cautious
If you’re pregnant, it’s recommended to avoid the treated area until the professionals say it’s safe to return.
Pesticide exposure during pregnancy, while generally considered low risk, should be avoided to minimise any potential effects on your health or the health of your baby.
Conclusion
Whether it’s for termites, cockroaches, or bed bugs, pest control treatments are essential for maintaining a pest-free home.
By properly preparing your home and knowing what to do after a treatment, you can ensure that the pest control process is as effective and safe as possible.
Remember to:
- Clear the areas for easy access.
- Store food and personal items safely.
- Follow post-treatment instructions carefully.
- Monitor pest activity and schedule follow-up treatments as needed.
In addition to taking these steps, always consult with your pest control expert for specific instructions based on the unique treatment used in your home.
Hiring professional pest control services may cost more initially, but it offers peace of mind and long-term savings by effectively preventing and controlling infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Will I See Results From The Treatment?
The effectiveness of treatments for pest control is typically influenced by a number of different factors.
The amount of time treatment will be effective is contingent not only on the kind of insect being eradicated but also on the frequency and method of applying the pesticide, as well as the prevailing climate conditions.
However, the majority of pest control treatments only remain effective for a few months, although certain treatments, such as liquid sprays for termites, can remain effective for up to five years.
Some, like those used to treat bed bugs, are effective for an infinite amount of time.
Why Does My House Continue To Get Infected After Treatment?
This is frequently the case because a significant number of pesticides do not treat for the presence of eggs that have been left behind.
After they hatch, they will begin to lay their own eggs. It is imperative to have frequent inspections performed by a qualified pest control expert in order to reduce the risk of post-treatment infestations.
They have everything they need to locate the nests and experiment with different elimination strategies in order to maintain a clean and comfortable environment in the house.
How Much Does It Typically Cost To Get Pest Control Done?
The services provided by a professional pest control technician may come at a higher price, but the results are typically superior to those achieved by pest treatment performed at home.
It is possible that you will incur a significant amount of expense when you hire an exterminator to perform a single treatment in your home.
However, it is possible that therapies administered on a monthly basis will cost substantially less on average.
Before you have any services performed, you should make it a point to enquire about pricing from the pest control company you plan to use.
When Should I Hire A Professional Pest Control Service?
It is up to you to choose if and when you need to get in touch with a qualified pest control agent.
It is quite okay to contact an exterminator as soon as you see even the slightest symptom of an infestation in order to prevent the problem from getting worse.
However, if the infestation has become too large for you to control on your own, you will likely have no choice but to get in touch with a professional pest controller.
Can A Single Person Handle The Treatment Of A Tiny Infestation?
If you have access to the correct insecticides, you might be able to handle a little infestation of insects or rodents on your own.
You might also be able to efficiently minimise the number of pests in your home by organising your belongings and giving the entire house a thorough and extensive cleaning.
However, you should not attempt to manage a major infestation on your own; rather, you should seek the assistance of a qualified pest control professional.
