Bed bugs, cockroaches, earwigs, and termites are only a few of the many different pests which can infest your home. Worse, some of these pests are difficult to remove and can cause extensive damage.
These situations require professionals. It would be best if you had an exterminator. When an exterminator arrives at your home, what should you expect? Is there any preparation work you need to be done?
Here are 10 things to know when using an exterminator.
1. Pest Control Preparation
When you contact us, we will let you know how you can prepare. You might need to clean or clear out certain areas or make sure no one is in the house when it is serviced.
Also, it is courteous to let your neighbors know about the infestation and the exterminator. This way, they can also book services to come and inspect their home and make sure they are free of pests.
2. The Pest Control Technician Arrives
Firstly, you will want to schedule a time with our professional pest control technicians to arrive at your home. If they are delayed on the day you are supposed to meet, they will let you know ahead of time when they expect to arrive.
If no other time works for you, then you can reschedule for a different date.
3. Pest Identification
Once the pest control technician arrives, they can provide you with company identification. This is especially important if this is the first time you have met this technician, so you know you can trust them.
Once they identify themselves, they can enter your home and begin.
4. Pre-Service Communication
Once you are ready, the exterminator will ask you some questions to ensure they have all the information they need to commence. You will be asked what pest is infesting, how many have you seen, where did you see the pests, and other similar questions.
If you can, show the technician places you have encountered the pests. Following this, the technician will give you an idea of how they are going to deal with the problem and what products to use to do it. If you have any questions, this is an excellent time to ask them.
5. Pest Inspection
Once the questions are completed, the technician will inspect your property and try to find other signs of the pests. They will examine the areas you pointed out to them and look at other locations where the pests might have infested.
After identifying the pest, if they discovered anything which might require a change in plans, they will discuss it with you. For example, if there is a different pest infesting your home than what you thought, they will need to take a different approach. Once again, if you have any questions or concerns when discussing this, let them know.
6. Pest Control Treatment
After the inspection, they will begin treatment. At this point, you might need to leave the property, depending on what needs to be done. They will take the time they need to ensure your problem is fixed.
7. Post-Treatment Discussion
With the treatment complete, the pest control technician will inform you of what they have done.
Your home might not be safe to enter yet, but they will advise you if this is the case. Additionally, they will let you know what further steps you should take to ensure your home is protected.
For instance, they might ask you to replace specific window screens or apply calking to some cracks in the brickwork. They will answer your questions and discuss the possibility of a follow-up.
8. Pest Control Service Report
After the post-treatment discussion, you will receive a written service report from the pest control technician. It will give an account of what the technician did and their recommendations.
9. Cooperation
While the exterminator can help eliminate an infestation, you should still follow their post-treatment instructions; otherwise, you might end up with another outbreak.
While it might require time or money now, it is saving you from more hassle later. Some pests are difficult to remove, so if they suggest a follow-up to ensure the pest is gone, it is best to schedule one.
10. Pest Control Follow-up
If a follow-up was suggested, then you and the technician will schedule a time to meet. Once this is worked out, they can begin any needed follow-up treatment.
This is an important for the control of bed bugs, which are difficult to kill.
If you are suffering from pests, schedule a treatment with Integrity Pest Management.
