If you are looking to hire a professional pest control service, don't forget that there is more to it than just calling and scheduling an appointment. Effective pest elimination requires collaboration between both the PCOs and the homeowner. The PCO will typically give you a list of steps required for them to treat the area without risking re-infestation or safety hazards. Make sure those prep steps are completed before they arrive so that they can provide quality service!
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Confirm the appointment
Before scheduling an appointment with a pest control operator, it is important to confirm the scheduled time. Contacting a company immediately after setting up the appointment will provide both parties with peace of mind that all necessary preparations are being made for successful extermination. Companies may require confirmation either through email or via telephone to better serve their customers and ensure things go as planned on the day of service.
Ask detailed questions about the types of products used and techniques applied during treatments inside your home. Customer experience professionals can often update you on new advancements in procedures that aim at limiting potential exposure to hazardous materials. They can also brief you on effective containment practices while exterminating mice infestations within your home or workplace environment.
Clean and declutter
A cluttered environment can hinder the effectiveness of pest control services and increase the chances of a re-infestation. Performing some basic cleaning tasks such as vacuuming carpets, mopping hard floors, and wiping down surfaces with an appropriate cleaner will help eliminate food sources that are attractive to pests like mice.
Ensure areas around appliances where crumbs accumulate are thoroughly cleaned out as well, including any under-stove hoods if present. Additionally, thorough dusting high up around windowsills, baseboards, and shelves will remove any residual food particles or droppings that might be providing sustenance for rodents such as mice.
Taking a few moments to tidy up loose items into bins or containers will make it more difficult for them to gain entry or hide away in unnoticed corners of your home. Also, take a look at any overgrown vegetation surrounding the home which could be acting as bridges from outside entries into living spaces. Trimming back hedges giving access to ground-level vents or entrances should also help limit attraction points. Finally, pet food should be contained securely during feeding times so it remains inaccessible when not attended to. Following these simple steps before extermination can drastically enhance results!
Seal entry points
One of the most important things a homeowner can do before an exterminator arrives for mouse removal is to locate and seal all potential entry points that could be used by rodents. Identifying where mice may have easy access to your home requires careful inspection along your foundation walls, rooflines, and pipes and vents leading indoors.
Look for small cracks or holes left open through which rodents can enter – even something as tiny as a pencil eraser-sized hole should not be overlooked as it is enough space for a mouse to pass through. Seal these openings up using caulking or weather stripping wherever necessary until they are completely closed off.
It's important to seal off any potential points of entry for pests before an exterminator does their treatment. If you don't, it could be possible that even after the chemical treatments are applied, more pests can just come right back in! Taking care of this step first ensures that all the other steps taken to remove infestations will work over time and your home won't become re-infested quickly.
Remove food sources
Removing food sources is one of the most important steps to take before an exterminator visits for a mouse infestation. Rodents are attracted to easy access to food, making it essential that all areas where mice may have access be checked thoroughly.
Consider storing excess food in plastic or metal containers with sealed lids and disposing of uneaten plus securely in tightly sealed garbage cans placed far away from home. Clean up spills immediately, as this will help to avoid any attractants for critters like mice that may make their way into your house.
It is also important to clean up clutter, such as piles of paper and cardboard boxes or any other materials that can provide wonderful hiding spots for mice. If clutter is present, mice can quickly make a home and procreate, which increases the severity of an infestation. When the exterminator comes, make sure to explain any areas where nesting material may be located and ask for suggestions on how to deter them in the future.
Protect sensitive items
Before bringing in an exterminator for mice, it is important to take steps to protect any sensitive items that may be in the infested area. This includes removing or covering items such as furniture, electronics, and books with plastic sheeting or thin drop cloths. It’s also important to secure any indoor plants or pets in a room away from where the extermination will take place.
To further protect valuable belongings, seek advice and recommendations from your pest control provider before treatment regarding products that may be used during the process that could potentially damage delicate objects if not properly shielded. It also helps to make sure all curtains are securely held back when spraying pesticide along walls and windowsills, as this can cause staining if left unchecked.
By taking these proactive steps before having an exterminator come into your home, you can help ensure valuable belongings remain safe while successfully ridding yourself of pesky rodents.
Communicate specific concerns
Prior to an exterminator's visit, any specific concerns must be communicated effectively for them to achieve optimal results. When contacting a pest control company, take the time to clearly articulate your concerns and expectations regarding the presence of mice, including details on when or where sightings have been observed. If you are aware of any potential entry points into your home such as gaps around windows or doors, let the pest professionals know so they can approach these areas with appropriate solutions. Additionally, if there have already been efforts put forth in attempting to get rid of mice such as traps set or sanitization practices implemented, be sure to share this information with the pest technicians upon their arrival.
Move large, heavy furniture
It is best to move any large, bulky furniture from the affected areas. Heavy items like couches and bookcases should be relocated outside of the space or into another room while the exterminator works. Doing this will give them easier access and allow them to do their job more effectively. It also makes sure that no mice are hiding behind furniture or otherwise out of view once they’ve begun working. Additionally, careful inspection of each room before applying traps or poisons can help identify any points of entry for rodents into the home, such as cracks along baseboards or loose roof shingles. Properly sealing these locations can help prevent future infestations.
Prepare for temporary displacement
Before calling an exterminator for mice, it is important to consider the possibility that your family may have to temporarily relocate during treatment. Talk with the exterminator about this prospect so you can understand any necessary preparations that may need to be made in advance. Make sure they are aware of any elderly or special needs persons living within your home and come up with a plan together if it’s determined you will need temporary accommodation while extermination efforts take place.
It’s also beneficial to ask your exterminator about alternative solutions, as they may be able to offer more humane mouse control options. If you feel uncomfortable having an exterminator use chemicals and lethal traps in your home, inquire about ways of controlling the mice population without these methods. Depending on the severity of the infestation, there are always other routes to pursue before resorting to extermination techniques that can potentially harm wildlife or put family members at risk.
Follow pre-treatment instructions
The pest control company will usually provide you with specific instructions on what to do before extermination, and these must be followed closely. For example, any food in kitchen cupboards or shelves must be packed away securely as the fumes generated during fumigation can contaminate them. Similarly, the removal of pets and people for the duration of the extermination process is critical, as exposure could lead to serious health risks.
It is recommended that a thorough clearance of furniture, furnishings, and general clutter in the house before treatment is also carried out. This will create easy access for technicians who need to place their equipment in hard-to-reach areas like loft spaces or under floors. Freeing any blocked ventilation points around the property can also be important if rodent fumigation is going ahead as these are necessary escape routes for the gases used. Taking this advice into consideration will go a long way towards successful extermination and reduction of future infestation of mice from your home.
Conclusion
The best way to prepare for an exterminator when dealing with mice infestations is to create a pre-extermination checklist. This should include cleaning debris, picking up garbage, storing food in airtight containers or cupboards, placing all food sources in hard-to-reach areas, sealing holes that may serve as entry points into the house and more. These steps will not only aid in the extermination process but also help keep any future invasions at bay. Ultimately these simple preparations can result in better job completion by the exterminator and hopefully, provide a permanent solution to your rodent problem.
