When you’re tired of pesky critters invading your home, the best way to combat it is through pest control services. But once your home is treated, that should fix everything, right? Well not quite.
There is maintenance that you should do to ensure that you get the best results from your home pest control services.
To learn more about how to keep bugs away for good, take a look at the information below.
How Do Home Pest Control Services Work?
Unlike extermination, pest control services are focused primarily on controlling insects over an extended period of time. It’s a long-term solution that’s designed to keep insects at bay.
On the first visit, a pest control technician determines the root of the infestation, eliminates it, and exterminates the critters. The next step is to provide a shield of repellent on the exterior of the home to prevent bugs from entering. Interior treatment is also applied if needed.
This part of the process is intended to be ongoing and regular services are needed to prevent further issues with infestation.
Routine pest control allows the technician to watch out for other potential infestation problems and ensure that bugs and rodents don’t come back.
For the most effective treatment have a technician come out every quarter.
Maintenance Tips for Effective Pest Control
Now that you understand how pest control services work, it’s important to maintain the effectiveness of the treatment. Below are some things you should do to keep bugs and rodents away:
Let the Treatment Dry
After the technician leaves, you may be tempted to go on with your daily chores and start cleaning. However, you should let the areas that were sprayed on the inside of your home completely dry before mopping or cleaning.
If you don’t, you could potentially wash away the treatment, making it ineffective against bugs and rodents.
Understand How the Process Works
Once you receive home pest control services, don’t be alarmed if you continue to see insects over the next week or two after treatment. There’s likely to be a boost in insect activity during this time. The reason being is because pests will be driven from their hiding places due to treatment.
Therefore, colonies of ants and other insects will come out into the open and scatter to get away from the bug spray.
Keep an Eye on Insect Activity
After you receive pest control treatment, keep an eye out for insect activity. Call the technician back out to your home if you continue to see the same level of insect activity three to four weeks after treatment.
This scenario isn’t always likely, but in situations of severe infestation, it could happen. If so, the pest control technician can provide another round of treatment and look for other roots of infestation.
Clean up the Clutter
You’ll want to keep a clean, clutter-free home after your pest control treatment. Make sure to remove debris and other clutter in order to eliminate any hiding spots for bugs.
Also, don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink or leave full garbage cans in the house. You don’t want to have anything around that would prevent current pests from leaving or attract new pests.
Cover Food
It’s also a good idea to make sure that food is securely wrapped up and put away. For instance, don’t leave bags of rice partially open. Instead of folding sugar bags down, pour the sugar into an airtight container so that the remnants of sugar on the bag don’t attract bugs.
When it comes to food, you don’t want any temptation around. This is especially true if you have rodents. Flimsy plastics and partially opened containers are simple to get into. Don’t make it easy for them!
Manage Pet Food
Human food isn’t the only food that attracts bugs and rodents. If you have a pet, try not to leave their food out overnight. Feed them, and when they’re done eating, wash their bowl or put it in an airtight container.
It’s also a good idea to put their food away in between feedings as well.
Wait to Power Wash the Outside of Your Home
When you receive lawn pest control service on the exterior of your house, let it dry. Don’t power wash the outside after you’ve had treatment. Doing so could wash away the treatment, making your home susceptible to continual infestation.
Clear Out Insect Prone Areas
Before receiving pest control services, clear the way for the technician. If you are receiving indoor treatment, declutter the areas around baseboards, under the sink, and behind appliances.
Doing so ensures that the spray can fully get into the areas where pests are most likely to travel. If there are items blocking these areas, the technician might not be able to fully apply the treatment.
Get Rid of Standing Water
If you have an old bucket of water or anything that is holding a basin of water around your home, get rid of it. Water attracts many insects, so you don’t want anything around that could lure them in. Pour out any water after use, and check for natural puddles of water that might have accumulated outside.
Call Us for Local Pest Control Services
Are you ready to get rid of your home’s pest problem for good? If so, give Pointe Pest Control a call. We specialize in controlling ants, termites, spiders, walks, and rodents. Plus, if you have a business, we provide commercial pest control services as well.
Call us at 610-277-7575 or contact us online to inquire about a free inspection.
We look forward to helping you keep your home pest-free!