By calling a pest control professional, you can rest assured that your pest problem is in capable hands. Pest control treatments are generally targeted applications. In the hands of a trained pest specialist, they can safely administer treatment while you are still at home. In fact, it's recommended that you are there to meet with your pest control specialist when they are scheduled to visit your home.

While it's important to let the professionals do all the hard work, there are a few things that you can do to prepare your home or apartment for a pest control visit to help optimize success. Read on for more details on preparing for a professional pest control visit.

Why professional pest control?

Your home is a safe haven for you and your family. But, it can also be a cozy place for common household pests like spiders, ants, cockroaches, rats and mice, termites and mosquitoes. Some DIY pest control products can be dangerous when not used correctly, difficult to use, costly and are not always effective. With the right professional pest control services, you can get treatments that are effective and guaranteed.

Preparing for your first pest control visit

Calling a professional to help you with a pest infestation in your home can be stressful, especially if it's your first time dealing with such a problem. Highly trained and experienced pest control professionals are ready to help you, but can use your help both before and after a pest control visit. While preparing for your first pest control visit doesn't require a lot of prep work, it can certainly make the process easier and smoother for both you and your pest specialist.

Read on to find out some of the steps you can take to help.

Provide adequate access

Pests love to hide in tight corners, underneath furniture, and behind boxes and other stored items. Your pest control specialist will need to have as much access to these areas as possible. You can help by moving items out, so they can reach the darkest corners to apply the pest control treatments accurately and effectively.

Prepare your kitchen

Before your first pest control treatment, give your kitchen a thorough cleaning. Routine cleaning of your kitchen is a good practice for making your home less attractive to pests in the future.

Before your pest professional visits, all food items should be stored in the refrigerator or cabinets. Any items such as small appliances or or cooking ware that normally sit on the countertop should also be stored and/or covered.

It is very helpful, but not required, to pull out the stove, refrigerator and dishwasher and clean those areas. However, if you have a heavy infestation of certain insects, it may be necessary to pull out those appliances.

Remove any debris, food or trash from under and around the appliances. Leave those appliances pulled away from the walls with ample room for your pest control professional to inspect the area and check for signs of pests.

Move furniture away from walls

Similar to moving your large appliances away from the walls in the kitchen so your pest protection expert can inspect, you may want to move large furniture items away from the walls in other rooms of your home. This is not necessary, but always appreciated, particularly if there is a larger infestation involved. If you have couches, bookcases, beds, and dressers that may be flush with the walls of your home, it can be helpful, but not necessary, to pull them away to give your pest control professional a wide berth to look for pest activity.

Open doorways, closets, and drawers

As previously mentioned, pests are quite adept at finding nooks and crannies where they can hide. Opening any doors between rooms, closets, and drawers will allow your pest control expert easy access to look for signs of activity and make it easier to treat for pests and find your small, unwanted guests where they may be hiding.

Confine pets to help technicians work effectively

If you have pets that are a bit skittish around strangers, consider keeping them safely outside or temporarily leaving them with a friend, relative, local kennel, or pet-sitter while your pest control specialist is visiting. This can offer you peace of mind while your technician is working in your home. Your technician can freely open doors and windows, as well as get into tighter spaces to diagnose and treat your pest problem without worrying that your pet will run outside or get in the way.

Try to be home to meet with your pest control professional

When scheduling your appointment with a pest control professional, try to be home to let them in and to grant them access to the various rooms where pests may be hiding. Being there to walk your pest control specialist through your home can make it easier for them to diagnose and treat your problem, and the technician can easily point out trouble areas and provide recommendations.

Steps to take after pest control treatment

After you've had your home professionally inspected and treated for pests, there are some things you can do to make sure the pests stay away, helping to lessen the need for treatments in the future.

Keep a lookout for pests

After a pest control treatment, you may notice that your pest infestation dramatically reduces almost immediately. Over time, fewer and fewer pests will find your home comfortable, but that doesn't mean you should relax. Keep a sharp eye out for any signs that pests have returned and make sure to contact experts right away.

Schedule pest control services today

If you're seeing signs of a pest infestation, don't hesitate to contact us at Dan's Property Services today to schedule a pest control appointment. Our professional pest control technicians will help you get rid of those unwelcome pests, and we'll help you keep them from coming back.