Dealing with pests is a near-universal annoyance and getting rid of them can prove challenging. Even after seeking the services of a pest control company, many homeowners wonder how long to wait after pest control before they can re-enter their homes. Whether you’re dealing with bed bugs, fleas, ants, or roaches, the last thing you want is a situation where you think it’s fine to go back home, but then the exterminator tells you it’s not ready for another week and you have to foot hotel bills out of your budget.
Pest Control Service typically requires you to stay out of your home for at least 2-4 hours and sometimes up to 24 hours, depending on the pests in your home and the type of pest control method used. Read on to learn the length of time you have to stay out of your house after the pest control.
The Length of Time to Stay Out of Your House After Pest Control Depends?
It depends on the type of pest control you’re using, how much damage was done by the pests, and whether or not you were able to catch them.
For example, if you were treated for ants and managed to catch them, it’s probably safe to return to the house after a few hours. However, if you were treating for spiders or scorpions and didn’t catch the pests, then it might be best practice to remain out of your home for a few hours.
If you’re unsure how long you should stay out of your house after pest control, consider speaking with an exterminator or professional specializing in pest control services. They will be able to answer all of your questions and help ensure that you receive the best treatment for your situation.
The important thing is that you do whatever it takes to ensure that your home is safe from any pests that may have been left behind in the process of getting rid of them.
What Things Should You Do Before a Pest Control Service?
Before you can have a pest control service, there are a few things you need to do.
- Ensure your home is clear—get rid of any furniture and other items that could be harboring pests. You may also want to eliminate any food in your pantry or refrigerator. If this isn’t possible, put it somewhere else where bugs can’t get at it.
- Check your yard and any areas around your house that may be infested with pests. There will likely be nests or other evidence of the problem on these grounds.
- Consider whether or not you have other pets in the house; if so, they’ll need to be quarantined while being treated for pests.
- If you have children who like to explore), ensure they stay away until after treatment is complete!
- Keep all foodstuffs away from the area until after completed pest control. Do not feed pets in the area either, as this may attract pests into your home.
- Ensure that the spots where pests may hide are clear of debris and clutter so that the exterminators can easily find them.
- Leaking pipes are a common problem. The water can damage your home’s foundation or cause mold to grow in your walls or ceilings. You should repair any leaks immediately before calling a pest control service
What Things Should You Do After a Pest Control Service?
After you’ve had a pest control service, there are a few things you need to do:
- Stay away from your house for at least 48 hours to ensure that pests do not return.
- Remove the paper and other waste materials from around your home. It will help prevent pests from returning in the future.
- Throw exposed food items away and any fruit or vegetables past their optimal sell-by date. It will also help prevent pests from returning!
- Clean up the infestation area. It might be as simple as throwing out any stuff that was affected by the bugs and cleaning up any spills or crumbs left behind after eating or drinking at your desk.
- Ensure that these pests don’t find their way into your home again by sealing off cracks and crevices with caulk or duct tape, installing screens on doors and windows, and cleaning up any clutter hiding in the house (like pet food dishes).
If you used a professional to treat your home, they should be able to advise you of an appropriate timeframe before you can reenter your home. The time you wait depends on the nature of the pest control and how the service was performed. If chemicals were used, it might take a couple of days for them to dissipate. If no chemicals were involved and you had a service come out and set traps, your wait time is up to your area’s normal cycle of rodent life.
