Dealing with pests is always a joy, isn’t it? Ya right.
We know that the process of discovering a pest problem to the point of having the professionals show up and handle it is usually no fun at all. But what do you do after the pest control company has been?
After the pest control technician has worked their magic, it’s time to roll up those sleeves and start cleaning, well almost.
Let’s face it, pests are like uninvited guests who do not want to leave. But with a clean home, you’ll have a better chance of keeping them at bay. However, it is very important to follow cleaning guidelines, or you could undo all the hard work by your pest control company.
Read on though before you get started, there are a few things you need to know.
Many people have concerns about the health effects of pest control sprays and wonder what to do after a visit from a pest control technician.
It’s important to be patient and wait for the chemicals to affect pests as instructed by the technician before cleaning your home. Cleaning too soon could counteract the treatment, whereas waiting for about a week allows the treatment to have the full impact and prevent pests from returning.
While you eagerly wait to clean, use this time to repair entry points, remove contaminated items, and monitor your family’s health.
After a pest control treatment, you will want to seal up any cracks, gaps, holes or openings to prevent pests from entering your property again. This can be done using various materials such as caulk, wire mesh or expanding foam sealant.
It is also important to address non-permanent risk factors such as wood piles, overgrown trees and bushes, clogged gutters, and leaf piles, as they can lead to the reintroduction of pests.
Following these steps can safeguard your home and loved ones.
- Wait for the pest control spray to dry before cleaning.
- Avoid cleaning the perimeter areas of rooms as it may let in more pests because pest controllers will usually spray these areas to deter further pest invasions.
- Light cleaning is fine after three to five days.
- Hold off on more vigorous cleaning for about two weeks.
- The way in which you can clean depends on the type of pest control used so confirm with your pest control professional if there are any notes particular to the type of pest control used.
Once you have waited for the recommended time after the pest control treatment, you will need cleaning tools such as rags, dish soap, a vacuum, rubber gloves, and a handheld steam cleaner. Remember to change out the water when it gets dirty during cleaning, as pests are attracted to dirty water.
Start cleaning from the top down, dust the ceiling fans, wipe down walls, and clean windows with a disinfectant. Swap out dirty cloths while cleaning and clean the baseboards, sweep the floor, and mop it thoroughly. If you have carpet, we suggest renting a carpet cleaner or vacuum thoroughly.
Your Health
Symptoms like burning eyes, persistent cough, breathing difficulties, and changes in heart rate may indicate contact with a pesticide or caustic chemical, but they are rare.
While most in-home pesticides are generally safe for humans, they can be harmful to pets. Most professional pest controllers use non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and pet safe pest control solutions that are not harmful to your furry friends.
Food Contamination
When it comes to pest control treatments, the safety of your food is very important.
Professional pest controllers are trained to avoid spraying in areas that would directly contaminate your food, but it’s still important to take precautions. Before a treatment, it’s a good idea to put away any food that’s left out on counters or tables and store it in a cabinet or cupboard. This will help prevent any accidental contamination from overspray or drift.
After the treatment, it’s important to wipe down any surfaces where your food might touch, such as countertops, tables, and shelves, with soap and water or your preferred cleaning product. This will remove any residue or debris left behind from the treatment and ensure that your food stays safe.
It’s also a good idea to inspect any packaged or canned goods that were left out during the treatment. Look for any signs of contamination, such as dead bugs or residue, and dispose of any items that are questionable. By taking these simple steps, you can ensure that your food remains safe and free from contamination during and after a pest control treatment.
Clothing and Furniture
After waiting for two weeks following a pest treatment, it’s generally safe to clean your furniture and clothing as you normally would. But, if you have had a treatment for bed bugs, avoid moving any furniture or clothes, as it could cause bed bugs to spread around your property. Always check with your technician first to avoid any unintentional spreading.
Maintenance
Besides closing up entry points and allowing the products time to work before cleaning it is equally important to maintain a clean environment to discourage further pest issues.
Make sure to reduce the amount of clutter, vacuum and steam clean fairly regularly, keep affected areas dry and well ventilated.
If you are concerned about a recurring issue we suggest using a preventative maintenance plan with your professional pest control partners.
Contact us at Combat Pest Solutions if you have questions, we are happy to help.