To prepare for pest control, confirm the treatment instructions with the pest control company, remove people and pets from the treatment area, protect food and dishes, clear access to walls and cabinets, remove toys and pet items, and follow the required re-entry time.

Updated: ****. The seven tasks below cover the basic preparation for most household pest treatments. Preparation varies by treatment type, so do not empty the entire home or move belongings unless the pest control company tells you to.

Pest Control Preparation Checklist

Preparation Task What to Do
Confirm the treatment Ask which rooms and surfaces will be treated, which method will be used, how long you must leave, and when re-entry is safe.
Remove people and pets Take children, pets and their belongings away from the treatment area.
Protect food and dishes Remove or cover food, cooking utensils, pots, pans and dishes.
Clear treatment areas Move items away from baseboards, under sinks, inside cabinets and other areas the technician must reach.
Remove pet items Take away pet food, water bowls, bedding, toys and chew items.
Reduce food and water sources Clean crumbs, secure trash, store food in sealed containers and repair leaks where possible.
Follow written instructions Use the company's instructions because preparation differs for sprays, baits, bed bug treatments, termite work and fumigation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends asking commercial applicators about treatment risks and required safety precautions. The EPA also advises keeping children and pets away from treated areas until the pesticide has dried or until the product label's re-entry period has passed.

What to Do Before the Pest Control Appointment

1. Ask the Pest Control Company for Exact Instructions

Before the appointment, ask:

  • Which rooms, surfaces or outdoor areas will be treated?
  • Is the treatment a spray, gel, bait, dust, heat treatment, fumigation or another method?
  • Do residents need to leave the property?
  • How long must people and pets stay away?
  • Should cabinets, closets or drawers be emptied?
  • Should heating, ventilation or air conditioning be switched off?
  • What should be cleaned before or after treatment?
  • Will the technician need access to an attic, crawl space, basement, garage or exterior foundation?

Follow the company's written instructions rather than a general online checklist. A routine insect treatment may require little preparation, while bed bug treatment, termite work and whole-structure treatment may require specific steps.

2. Remove Children, Pets and Other Occupants

Take children, pets and other occupants away from the areas being treated. Remove pet bedding, toys, food bowls and water bowls as well.

Fish tanks, birds, reptiles and small mammals may need extra precautions. For indoor pesticide applications, the National Pesticide Information Center recommends removing pets from the treated area and covering or removing aquariums. Foggers require animals to be removed from the home. Fish tank pumps may also need to be turned off if the product label or technician requires it.

Do not bring anyone back into the treated area until the pest control company says it is safe or the product label's re-entry instructions have been met.

3. Store Food, Dishes and Cooking Equipment

Before an indoor treatment:

  • Put open food in sealed containers or remove it from the treatment area.
  • Remove food from countertops, tables and exposed shelves.
  • Cover or remove dishes, utensils, pots and pans.
  • Protect pet food and animal feed.
  • Empty or cover food-preparation surfaces if they will be treated.
  • Ask whether kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves must be emptied.

The EPA advises removing or covering food during indoor pesticide applications. Clean food-contact surfaces before using them if they may have received pesticide residue.

4. Clear Access to Walls, Cabinets and Hiding Places

The technician needs access to places where pests travel, hide or enter. Before the appointment:

  • Pick up items from floors.
  • Move stored goods away from baseboards.
  • Clear the space beneath sinks.
  • Reduce stacks of cardboard, newspapers and paper bags.
  • Move small appliances or furniture when necessary.
  • Empty cabinets, closets or drawers if the company requests it.

Do not move suspected bed bug belongings into another room. Follow the technician's instructions for bagging, laundering and handling those items so the infestation is not spread.

5. Remove Food, Water and Shelter Sources

Cleaning and basic repairs can support professional pest control. Before treatment:

  • Wipe up crumbs, grease and spills.
  • Wash dirty dishes.
  • Empty food waste and secure trash in a covered container.
  • Store cereal, flour, sugar and other food in sealed containers.
  • Pick up pet food instead of leaving it out.
  • Fix leaking faucets, pipes or toilets where possible.
  • Remove standing water.
  • Reduce unnecessary clutter and cardboard.

The EPA identifies food, water and shelter as conditions that support household pests. Removing these sources is part of integrated pest management and can reduce reliance on pesticides.

Preparation for Different Pest Control Treatments

Routine Indoor Insect Treatment

For ants, cockroaches, spiders and similar pests:

  1. Clear floors and baseboards.
  2. Remove food and dishes from exposed surfaces.
  3. Empty areas the technician has identified for treatment.
  4. Secure children's toys and pet items.
  5. Repair leaks and clean accessible food debris.
  6. Leave the property or rooms if instructed.
  7. Keep children and pets away until the treatment is dry and the company permits re-entry.

Ask whether the technician plans to use crack-and-crevice treatment, gel bait, bait stations or surface sprays. The EPA recommends targeted applications and considers baits a lower-exposure option when they are placed where children and pets cannot reach them.

Bed Bug Treatment

Bed bug preparation often requires more work than a standard insect spray. Depending on the treatment method, the pest management professional may instruct you to:

  • Launder clothing, bedding and linens.
  • Dry items thoroughly using the required heat setting.
  • Seal cleaned items in bags or containers.
  • Reduce clutter.
  • Empty closets, dressers and bedside tables.
  • Move furniture so mattress edges, baseboards and other areas are accessible.
  • Use approved encasements on mattresses and box springs.

Follow the company's instructions exactly. The University of Minnesota Extension states that preparation varies by treatment type and that treatment may fail if residents do not complete the required preparation.

Do not use garden pesticides, gasoline, kerosene, rubbing alcohol or homemade chemicals to treat bed bugs. Use only products labeled for the intended pest and location.

Rodent Control

For mice, rats and other rodents:

  • Store food, pet food and birdseed in sealed containers.
  • Secure garbage.
  • Clear access to garages, attics, basements and utility areas.
  • Tell the technician where you found droppings, gnaw marks, noises or nesting material.
  • Keep children and pets away from traps and bait stations.
  • Do not move or open bait stations unless the company instructs you to do so.

Rodent bait must be placed where children and pets cannot reach it. Ask how bait stations will be secured and how dead rodents will be handled.

Termite Treatment

Termite preparation depends on whether the company is performing a localized treatment, soil treatment, baiting program or another structural service. Before the appointment:

  • Ask which areas must be accessible.
  • Clear items from walls, crawl spaces, basements or utility areas if requested.
  • Move outdoor objects away from the foundation when instructed.
  • Tell the company about wells, ponds, gardens, pets and drainage areas.
  • Request written information about the treatment, warranty and follow-up inspections.

Do not assume that a routine indoor spray is suitable for termites. Termite work often requires a separate inspection, treatment plan and written guarantee.

Fumigation or Whole-Structure Treatment

Fumigation and whole-structure treatments require instructions from the licensed pest control company. Do not improvise.

Ask for written instructions covering:

  • When everyone must leave.
  • What happens to pets, plants, food and medication.
  • Whether refrigerators, appliances or utilities need special preparation.
  • When the structure will be tested and cleared.
  • What documentation confirms that re-entry is permitted.

Return only after the company provides clearance. Routine spray preparation does not automatically apply to fumigation.

What Not to Do Before Pest Control

Avoid these mistakes:

  • Do not spray another pesticide before the appointment. Extra chemicals can conflict with the treatment plan and expose occupants unnecessarily.
  • Do not use outdoor pesticides indoors. Outdoor products may remain hazardous longer inside buildings.
  • Do not use more pesticide than the label directs. A larger amount does not make treatment safer or necessarily more effective.
  • Do not use a bug bomb unless it is specifically appropriate and you can follow the instructions. The EPA recommends fogging devices only when absolutely necessary.
  • Do not leave children's toys or pet items in the treatment area.
  • Do not move bed bug belongings from one room to another.
  • Do not wash treated surfaces immediately unless the technician tells you to. Cleaning may remove bait or pesticide from the areas where it was applied.
  • Do not re-enter simply because the treatment looks dry. Follow the company's re-entry instructions and the product label.

What to Do After Pest Control

After treatment:

  1. Re-enter only at the approved time.
  2. Ventilate the property if the technician or product label instructs you to do so.
  3. Keep children and pets away from wet or restricted areas.
  4. Wash food-preparation surfaces before using them if they may have received pesticide residue.
  5. Leave bait stations and targeted treatments in place.
  6. Ask when normal cleaning can resume.
  7. Record the products used, treatment areas and follow-up date.
  8. Report unusual odors, irritation or suspected exposure to the pest control company.

If someone may have been exposed to pesticide, follow the product label's first-aid directions and contact Poison Control in the United States at 1-800-222-1222. For pet exposure, contact a veterinarian or animal emergency service promptly.

The safest preparation is the preparation that matches the treatment. Confirm the method, protect people and pets, clear the requested areas, and follow the company's written re-entry instructions.