How to Sanitize Your Home After Pest Control

Great. You listened to our advice and have started scheduling seasonal pest control treatments. Good for you. Now comes what most homeowners often forget to do: cleaning after pest control.

Post-treatment cleaning serves two main purposes. First, it removes any leftover products that might harm your health. Second, it helps get rid of dead pests, which can attract other unwanted visitors if left around.

Most pest control methods leave behind residues that work to keep pests away. While these products do their job on bugs, you want to limit your contact with them.

When to Start Cleaning

Timing matters when it comes to sanitizing your home after pest treatment. You must wait the right amount of time before you begin cleaning to make sure the treatment works properly.

Different treatments need different waiting periods:

• Fumigation: Wait at least 24 hours before entering and cleaning
• Fogging: Allow up to 4 hours before returning and cleaning
• Indoor Spray: Wait about 5 hours minimum
• Outdoor Spray: About 3 hours waiting time
• Heat Treatment: Let the area cool down for up to 10 hours

For families with babies and young children, these waiting periods should be longer. Their bodies can’t handle even small amounts of treatment products as well as adult bodies can.

When you’re ready to clean after the experts have gotten rid of the pest infestation, start with these important areas.

Kitchen Cleaning

The kitchen needs special attention after pest control:

1. Wipe down all surfaces. Use a damp cloth to clean countertops, stovetops, and tables.
2. Clean inside cabinets. If you kept food in cabinets during treatment, wipe down all cabinet surfaces before putting things back.
3. Mop the floors. Use hot water and soap to clean any product residue from floor surfaces.
4. Wash all dishes. Even if dishes were stored away, give them a quick wash before using them again.
5. Check for dead pests. Look in corners and under appliances where bugs might have crawled to die after treatment.

Bathroom Sanitizing

Bathrooms also need thorough cleaning:

1. Scrub all surfaces. Clean sinks, tubs, and toilets with regular bathroom cleaner.
2. Mop the floors. Just like in the kitchen, a good mopping helps remove any leftover treatment residue.
3. Clean storage areas. Wipe down medicine cabinets and under-sink areas.
4. Wash bath linens. Launder any towels, bath mats, or shower curtains that stayed in the bathroom during treatment.

Living Areas and Bedrooms

For your comfort areas:

1. Vacuum thoroughly. Run your vacuum over all carpets, rugs, and soft furniture. Pay special attention to corners and edges where pests like to hide.
2. Wash all bedding. Strip beds and wash all sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in hot water.
3. Dust all surfaces. Use a damp cloth to capture dust and any treatment residue on furniture, shelves, and decor items.
4. Clean children’s toys. If toys were left out, wipe them down with a mild soap solution.
5. Mop hard floors. Clean all hardwood, laminate, or tile floors with appropriate cleaners.

Special Considerations

For Families with Pets

Pets can be particularly sensitive to pest control products:

1. Wash pet bedding. Clean any fabric pet beds, blankets, or toys.
2. Clean food and water bowls. Wash thoroughly before refilling.
3. Wipe down crates or carriers. Use pet-safe cleaners on any areas where your pet spends time.
4. Check pet play areas. Make sure outdoor spaces where pets play are safe after treatment.

For People with Respiratory Issues

If you or family members have asthma or other breathing problems:

1. Increase ventilation. Open windows and doors to air out the house completely.
2. Change air filters. Replace HVAC filters to help remove airborne particles.
3. Consider a deeper clean. You might want to clean more thoroughly than others would need to.

What Not to Do After Pest Control

Certain actions can reduce how well the treatment works:

1. Don’t clean right away. Wait the recommended time period before starting any cleaning.
2. Don’t use strong cleaners on treated surfaces. This can neutralize the pest control products.
3. Don’t vacuum along baseboards immediately. Many treatments are applied here, and vacuuming too soon removes their effectiveness.
4. Don’t move furniture back against walls too quickly. Let treated areas remain accessible for a few days.

When to Call for Help Again

Sometimes, you might need another treatment. Watch for these signs:

1. Live pest sightings. If you see live bugs after the waiting period, the treatment might not have worked fully.
2. New droppings or damage. Fresh signs of pest activity mean you might need more help.
3. Strange odors. Some pests leave behind distinctive smells when they return.

Many pest control companies will come back for free if pests return between scheduled visits. Check what your service includes.

Final Thoughts

Proper cleaning after working with a pest control company helps the treatment work better and keeps your family safe. By following these steps, you give yourself the best chance of staying pest-free.

Remember to wait the proper amount of time before cleaning, focus on areas where food is prepared or eaten, and pay special attention to places where pets and children spend time. With the right approach to post-treatment cleaning, you can enjoy a pest-free home without worry.