Pest control safety depends on the product, pest, and treatment method. Follow the technician’s preparation and re-entry instructions for the specific service being performed.
How to Prepare Your Home Before Pest Control Treatment
General Preparation
Before treatment:
- Put away exposed food and dishes.
- Remove pet bowls, pet food, toys, and bedding from treatment areas.
- Pick up children’s toys and loose floor items.
- Store medications and personal items.
- Clear access to baseboards, cupboards, utility areas, plumbing, and pest activity zones.
- Follow any treatment-specific preparation instructions.
Do not move infested items into other rooms unless the technician tells you to.
Kitchen and Food-Area Preparation
Store food in sealed containers and remove exposed food from treatment areas.
If cupboards need treatment, empty only the cupboards or drawers identified by the technician.
Also:
- Remove crumbs and food debris.
- Clean grease around cooking areas.
- Put away dishes and utensils.
- Protect food-preparation surfaces.
- Remove pet food from the area.
Bedroom and Living-Area Preparation
Only move furniture away from walls if baseboard or wall access is necessary for the treatment.
Take off all clothes, toys, bags, and any loose objects lying on the floors.
Do not put clothes in bags or wash the beddings unless stated in the directions for treatment.
When treating bed bugs, do not move mattresses, beddings, clothes, or furniture into rooms that have not been infested.
Keeping Children and Pets Safe During Treatment
Children
Keep children away from the area undergoing treatment.
Only allow them to return once the stipulated period for their return expires.
Children below a certain age should not come into contact with treated floorboards, baseboards, cupboards, among others before they are declared safe.
Inform the Barrie pest control technician about any babies or toddlers in the house.
Dogs and Other Pets
Remove pets from treatment areas.
Put away:
- Food and water bowls.
- Pet food.
- Bedding.
- Toys.
- Treats.
Keep pets away until the technician says it is safe to return.
Cats
Inform the applicator that cats reside in the house.
Prevent cats from entering rooms being treated until the re-entry interval is elapsed.
Remove food, water, bedding, and toys when necessary.
Birds
Inform the technician about any pet birds prior to the treatment.
Remove the birds, cages, food, and water from the treatment site.
Birds must be kept away from sprays, aerosols, dusts, fumes, and vapors.
Some treatments may need you to move birds from your house.
Pet Isolation and Re-Entry Windows
Why Re-Entry Times Vary
Re-entry times depend on:
- Product formulation.
- Application method.
- Pest being treated.
- Area being treated.
- Drying time.
- Ventilation.
- Product-label requirements.
There is no single waiting period that applies to every pest control treatment.
What to Confirm Before Treatment
Ask the technician:
- How long people must stay out.
- How long pets must stay away.
- Which rooms are restricted.
- Whether ventilation is required.
- Whether treated surfaces should remain untouched.
- When cleaning can resume.
- Whether there are special instructions for infants, cats, or birds.
Botanical and Lower-Impact Pest Treatments
What Botanical Pest Treatments Are
Botanical pest control products use plant-derived active ingredients.
Depending on the product, they may be used in:
- Cracks and crevices.
- Pest harbourage areas.
- Entry points.
- Exterior perimeter areas.
They differ from conventional pesticides mainly in their active ingredients and formulation.
Where Botanical Treatments May Be Used
Depending on the registered product, botanical treatments may be used for:
- Ants.
- Cockroaches.
- Crawling insects.
- Entry-point treatments.
- Exterior perimeter treatments.
The product still needs to be suitable for the pest and infestation level.
Botanical Treatments Still Require Safety Precautions
Botanical does not mean risk-free.
Follow product instructions and:
- Avoid direct exposure.
- Keep children away when required.
- Keep pets away when required.
- Follow re-entry instructions.
- Follow ventilation instructions.
Homeowners can also review the truth about over-the-counter pest products before choosing or applying pest-control products themselves.
Targeted Pest Control Methods That Reduce Unnecessary Exposure
Crack-and-Crevice Treatments
Crack-and-crevice treatments focus on places where pests hide or travel, such as:
- Baseboard gaps.
- Plumbing penetrations.
- Gaps around pipes.
- Cabinet voids.
- Wall openings.
- Structural cracks.
- Pest entry points.
This avoids treating large areas when only specific locations need treatment.
Baits and Enclosed Devices
Targeted options may include:
- Ant bait.
- Cockroach bait.
- Tamper-resistant rodent stations.
- Enclosed traps.
- Pest monitoring devices.
These methods can reduce the need for broad indoor spray applications.
Do not move bait stations, traps, or monitoring devices after they have been placed.
Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management combines treatment with prevention.
This may include:
- Identifying the pest.
- Finding entry and harbourage points.
- Sealing openings.
- Fixing moisture problems.
- Removing food sources.
- Treating active areas.
- Monitoring after treatment.
For rodents, sealing entry points is often just as important as mice control.
For cockroaches and ants, food, moisture, and harbourage also need to be addressed.
These steps are also part of long-term pest prevention strategies.
Safety Steps After Pest Control Treatment
Re-Entering the Home
Return only after the required re-entry period has passed.
If ventilation is required, follow the technician’s instructions.
After treatment:
- Keep children and pets away from restricted areas.
- Do not touch or remove pest control products.
- Do not disturb treated cracks and crevices.
- Follow any product-specific instructions.
Cleaning After Treatment
Do not immediately wash treated cracks, crevices, baseboards, or harbourage areas unless instructed.
Clean food-contact surfaces as directed before preparing food.
Do not move:
- Bait stations.
- Rodent stations.
- Traps.
- Monitoring devices.
Before deep cleaning, ask the technician which treated areas should remain untouched.
For household infestations that require professional treatment, residential pest control can be planned around the pest, treatment area, occupants, children, and pets in the home.