Skip to main content

How to prepare for an exterminator visit to your home to get the most bang for your buck

Follow these steps to prepare for your exterminator before they arrive

Everyone spots a bug or two in their home from time to time, but when you find a cockroach in the corner or a mouse in the basement, it's time to set up an appointment with a professional pest control operator, also known as an exterminator. These pros have the knowledge and tools to quickly rid your home of pests, but a quick and lasting fix requires some action on your part as well.

Preparing well for pest control treatment can make the service more effective and keep your family safe from these unwanted house guests for longer. Keep reading to find out what to do before the exterminator comes.

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

1 hour

What You Need

  • Cleaning supplies

  • Storage containers

Exterminator talking with a customer inside a home
PPC Photography Cologne / Shutterstock

How to prepare for an exterminator

To best prepare your home, cater your strategy to the type of pest you’re managing, be it rodents, roaches, bedbugs, termites, fleas, ants, or others. Most pest control companies will provide a specific preparation list in advance of their visit with tasks that usually include removing any bedding, moving furniture away from the walls, and scrubbing the house from top to bottom. Follow this provided guidance closely to help the extermination process run smoothly and guard against future re-infestation.

Woman and pest control inspector in kitchen
Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

Note all pest locations

Aside from following the exterminator's instructions, there are a few more steps you can take to ensure the process is successful.

Step 1: Make notes of everywhere you’ve seen pests on your whole property. Were the mice isolated in the basement, or did you see one in the kitchen as well?

Step 2: If you have ants, look for their trails and follow them as far as possible to identify the source. Fleas in the dog’s bed could easily spread to the carpet or furniture, so check those spots as well.

Step 3: When your technician arrives, go over the list with them to be sure that all known areas receive special attention.

Person mopping floors.
Indypendenz / Shutterstock

Deep clean the floors

Removing dirt and food residue ahead of time makes for a more effective treatment. Use cleaning products or a homemade solution.

Step 1: Be sure to reach all the crevices and hard-to-reach spots since these areas are especially homey for little critters.

Step 2: Then, immediately dispose of vacuum bags, cleaning rags, etc., and wipe down the nondisposable cleaning equipment to eradicate any lingering bugs or eggs.

pest control technician spraying under shelves
hedgehog94 / Shutterstock

Put away clutter

The more stuff that sits around, the more hiding spaces these bugs have. More clutter also provides added surface area for chemical sprays to land, possibly contaminating your items with toxic materials. Avoid these problems by storing away all children’s toys, book bags, shoes, coats, etc.

Install new sinks and faucets
Unsplash

Fix water leaks

In addition to the leftover food and warm, dark areas, pests are also attracted to water and moisture. Drippy faucets in sinks and tubs, leaky supply lines under sinks or behind toilets and washing machines, or a leaky mainline in the basement can be the root cause that attracts bugs or rodents into your home. The exterminator’s treatment will not be effective for long unless the water source is dried up so you may as well fix those leaks now.

Woman organizing food storage containers
VH-studio / Shutterstock

Store food and cookware

Some pest treatments involve spraying chemicals that will be airborne for some time after the treatment has been completed. They will then settle onto any exposed surface, so store away any food, cooking equipment, and utensils, especially those that typically reside on the countertop or are otherwise exposed.

Petting dog outside
kyrylo vasyliev / Shutterstock

Keep pets away

Most exterminators use people and pet-friendly products whenever possible, but if you keep bees, a pet spider, reptiles, or other “atypical” pets, they could be sensitive to the treatment. Consult your pest control operator and share any pet concerns well in advance. Be sure to cover pet enclosures with sheets or towels during treatment.

If your pets become easily stressed or aggressive, take them somewhere else for the day so that the technician can complete their work without the extra hassle of aggravated pets. Your pets and the technician will thank you.

men moving couch in empty house
DreamPictures / Getty Images

Move large, heavy furniture

Large, stationary furniture like sofas, bookcases, refrigerators and office desks make excellent hiding places for pests.

Step 1: As you clean, move them around, shake out any cushions, and empty the cabinets, whether you’ve seen pests in the area or not.

Step 2: Last, leave the large items a few feet from the wall to give your pest technician room to complete a thorough inspection and treatment.

Kids in the garden
eurobanks/Getty Images

What about your kids?

If you have young children, consider taking them to a family member’s or friend’s house for the day. Some pests, like bees and wasps, can become irate during removal and attack whoever is nearby. Also, exposure to chemical spray can irritate sensitive little noses and eyes.

pest control contractor spraying cockroaches in kitchen
Elnur/Shutterstock

What questions should I ask my exterminator?

Having a short list of questions on hand in preparation for your extermination visit can help you stay on top of your pest situation. The last thing you want is to forget all of your questions during the visit, only to remember them once your exterminator has left. Then, you have to resort to the web for answers, which could take more time to research than if you’d had the questions ready while your exterminator was present.

Here are a few questions to ask during your pest control visit:

  • What type of insect/pest is in my home?
  • How serious is the infestation?
  • How long will the extermination process be until all pests are gone?
  • What steps can I take after extermination to prevent further infestation?
  • Are there any signs indicating why this pest infested my home in the first place?
  • What preventative steps can I take to prevent similar infestations in the future?

Hiring an exterminator may be the best way to eliminate your pest problem, but thorough preparation prior to their visit will help you get the most bang for your buck. By putting your home in order ahead of time, you will keep your family safe while gaining the maximum benefit from the pest removal service.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark Wolfe
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mark Wolfe is a freelance writer who specializes in garden, landscaping, and home improvement. After two decades in the…
7 popular paint colors for basements that will brighten your home’s dungeon
Say goodbye to your dark basement and add one of these hues to brighten your space
Finished basement seating area with white walls and carpet

Whether you have a finished basement or one that's barely livable, your basement probably doesn't have a whole lot of natural light. While there are other ways to brighten this space (proper lighting, for one), the paint color you choose for your basement will make or break the space.  The right shade can enhance the basement, making it appear larger, and can also contribute to an overall happy, comfortable atmosphere your friends and family will love. But what hues are best for these often dark and dingy spaces? Today, we're sharing some popular paint colors for basements that will help brighten up the space.

With a fresh coat of paint and a few well-chosen pieces of decor, your basement will no longer be just a drab laundry room or overflow storage space. These are the popular paint colors for basements we love, and we think you will too.

Read more
Ranked: The 7 best indoor plants to decorate your home with in November
Brighten your space with these indoor houseplants this winter
Indoor plants on a wooden table next to a window

In the summer, we usually get all the healthy exposure we need to nature and all of its greenery. When the weather starts to cool down, though, we head indoors and lose a lot of the mood-boosting goodness that nature provides. Luckily, you don't have to wait until the next year's bloom to enjoy some greenery again. Keeping houseplants in the winter is a great way to maintain a piece of the outdoors in your life, even when it's too cold to venture outside. Here are the best indoor plants for winter to spruce up your indoor space!

Do houseplants survive in the winter?
Your houseplants' ability to endure the winter season hinges on factors like the type of plant, your indoor climate, and your care routine. Tropical plant varieties, for example, are accustomed to warmth and high humidity, so they might struggle in the cooler, dryer indoor winter conditions.

Read more
How to remove old caulk: A 4-step guide to get this tedious job done quickly
This is how to remove old caulk the right way before slapping on the new stuff
Man caulking around window

Sealing certain areas in your home against both moisture and escaping air is a good practice for preventing heat loss and water damage, and caulk is a tried-and-true sealant to use. Whether it was used in the bathroom, on exterior windows, or on your welcoming front door, caulk can not only get grimy and stained after a while, but it can also start to break down and lose its effectiveness. That's why periodic re-caulking is a recommended practice, but you need to get rid of the old gunk before applying the new stuff. Here's a guide on how to remove old caulk.

How do you know when it's time to re-caulk?
When caulk loses its elasticity and waterproofing abilities, it's time for replacement, and knowing when it's time to re-caulk is pretty simple. Signs of deteriorating caulk include visible cracks or gaps, peeling, or a discolored and moldy appearance.

Read more