How to Prepare for a General Pest Control Treatment
Proper preparation is key to getting the most out of your pest control service. By ensuring access, clearing key areas, and making the space safe for treatment, you’ll give the technician the best chance of delivering a long-lasting, effective result.
Key Points
- Ensure outdoor access: unlock gates, secure dogs, and move clothes from the line
- Clear floor areas and remove clutter from skirting boards
- Provide clear access to manholes if roof void treatment is planned
- Notify us of sensitive areas, allergies, or vulnerable occupants
- Ensure water access and off-street parking where possible
- Vacate the property during and after treatment
- Do not clean treated surfaces for at least 5 to 7 days afterward
Why Preparation Improves Treatment Results
General pest control targets a range of pests – cockroaches, ants, spiders, and silverfish – in both internal and external areas. Preparing your home before the technician arrives ensures that nothing prevents the treatment from being applied thoroughly and safely. It also protects pets, food areas, and people from exposure.
What to Do Before Your General Pest Control Appointment
1. Unlock External Gates and Clear Outdoor Access
Many treatments involve spraying around the fence line, perimeter, sheds, patios, and other exterior zones.
Please:
- Unlock all gates
- Remove washing from the clothesline
- Ensure we have safe access around the home
- Secure dogs and notify us of any outdoor pets
Our technicians will most often treat the externals first – a clear and open perimeter allows for faster, more complete coverage.
2. Secure Pets and Make Plans to Be Away
You and your pets must vacate the home during the service and remain out until the treatment is completely dry.
This includes:
- Cats and dogs
- Birds, reptiles, and small animals
- Babies and toddlers
Fish tanks should be tightly covered and sealed or relocated if possible.
If you have an apiary (bee hive) on site, it is critical that you let us know in writing prior to arrival and treatment.
3. Clear Clutter and Allow Access to Skirting Boards
Technicians need access to:
- Skirting boards
- Floor edges
- Behind furniture
- Wet areas like kitchens, laundries, and bathrooms
Please move:
- Clothes and bags off the floor
- Toys and personal items
- Light furniture if possible
- Pet bowls and bedding
4. Empty Cupboards in Known Infestation Areas
If you’re experiencing a heavy cockroach, ant, or silverfish problem, empty any infested kitchen cupboards or drawers before the technician arrives.
This allows us to:
- Spray into hard-to-reach crevices
- Apply gel baits or dusts safely
- Avoid contamination of food and cooking items
5. Clear Manhole Access if Roof Void Is Being Treated
If your service includes roof void dusting or treatment, please ensure:
- The manhole is not obstructed by clothes, boxes, or furniture
- The space beneath the manhole is clear to place a ladder
- Power points or light switches are accessible nearby if needed
This step is essential for safe and efficient roof access.
6. Provide Water and Parking Access
Most services require connection to your outdoor tap for pressure application.
Please:
- Ensure the garden hose tap is working and accessible
- Move vehicles to allow clear access to the front or side of the property
- Let us know if there’s difficult driveway access, steep terrain, or no street parking
7. Inform Us of Any Sensitive Areas
Let your technician know if:
- Anyone in the home has allergies, asthma, or chemical sensitivity
- There are newborns, immune-compromised individuals, or elderly occupants
- There are areas you want excluded from the treatment
We’ll adjust the treatment plan to suit your household.
Related Services
Trusted Resources
Learn more about safe and approved pest control products in Australia at the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
FAQ: Preparing for General Pest Control
Do we need to vacate the house during the service?
Not necessarily. Whilst it’s ideal if you, your pets, and any other household members can be out of the house while the treatment is conducted, if this is not possible we can advise on the best way to maximise safety during the treatment. Whilst all spray products we use are incredibly safe for people and pets, they do constitute a slip hazard. As such, we recommend staying off treated surfaces following treatment until they’re completely dry.
Should I vacuum or clean before the technician arrives?
Vacuuming is helpful, but not essential. Focus on clearing clutter, pet items, and anything blocking floor edges or manholes – and most critically, emptying any areas where you’re noticing cockroach activity.
Do I need to move furniture?
Whilst more access is always better, it’s only necessary to move furniture if you’re specifically noticing signs of infestation in those areas. We’ll spray around permanently placed furniture, creating a barrier that pests will have to cross should they enter these areas.
Will the treatment affect my veggie garden?
We typically avoid spraying edible plants or garden beds. Let us know in advance if you have food-producing areas outside.
Structured Recap: General Pest Control Prep Checklist
- Unlock all gates and ensure perimeter access
- Remove washing from the line
- Secure pets and plan to vacate the home
- Clear skirting boards, pet bowls, and loose clutter
- Empty infested cupboards for spot treatments
- Ensure roof void access is clear if needed
- Provide water tap access and allow room for parking
- Notify us of any sensitive people or areas in advance
Still unsure? Contact our team and we’ll guide you through the preparation process.