Do you have an insect infestation? Thinking of calling pest control to get rid of your unwanted guests? Follow these steps for a hassle-free extermination experience.
Before Calling Pest Control:
- Establish what kind(s) of insect is destroying your home.
- If you’re thinking of calling pest control, then you probably have a good idea of what’s infesting your house. Find out everything you can about them. If they’re termites, what kind? What part of your home are they currently occupying? Where are they nesting?
- Research the various ways to get rid of your problem. That way you’ll won’t zone out when the exterminator starts discussing options like “termite control Singapore” to you over the phone.
- Do your homework.
- Let’s say you don’t know what’s wrecking your house. You just know that there is something wrecking your house after noticing various red flags (e.g., chewed up wood and debris throughout your place, an incessant chewing or rustling sound in your walls, floors, or ceiling, etc.). Take note of all these signs.
- Cross-check what you found on the Internet. You can also go with your gut. Search “bed bug Singapore” if you think that’s what’s leaving those marks and debris on your bed. If the search results don’t match up with what you have, then you can cross out bed bugs from your list.
- When you call the exterminator, tell them all the little things you noticed. It’ll at least give them an idea on what your problem is.
- Don’t disturb the nest (if you’ve found it).
- Don’t. Just, don’t. Especially if you’re dealing with ants, mosquitoes, and termites. Trying to get rid of the nest by yourself can make the problem worst. There’s a huge chance that you’ll just disturb it and make your unwanted visitors scatter—which will make it difficult for the exterminator to contain them. So, stay put. Focus pinpointing where the nest/bug concentration is.
- Be thorough.
- Once you’ve established the focal point of your insect infestation, don’t stop your home investigation. Just because the termite nest is located in your basement, doesn’t mean that it’s the only nest your house is hosting. Scrutinize every nook and cranny of your home.
- Collect insect-related debris and samples.
- Follow this tip only if you plan to visit—and not call or email—the exterminator’s office about your problem. Take samples of the debris left behind by your unwanted guests. It’ll help pest control figure out what exactly are they going up against. Hence, they’ll be more prepared when they come to your home. Take pictures of the little buggers as well if you can.
After Calling Pest Control:
- Prepare your home.
- Here’s a checklist of all the things you need to do before the exterminator arrives at your home.
- Store all foodstuffs properly.
- Store all children items properly.
- Store all pet-related items properly.
- Clean and wipe down all surfaces.
- De-clutter shelves, counters, and other surfaces.
- Clean all floors—vacuum the carpets and mop/scrub the kitchen.
- Make sure your plumbing is leak-free.
- Empty all trash containers.
- Consider your housemates.
- Keep in mind that housemates who are sick (especially those with asthma), pregnant, or under the age of one, are best out of the house when pest control conducts their treatments. Consider children and pets as well.
- Some anti-insect infestation treatments—like the fogging treatment utilized by mosquito control services in Singapore—are harmful for various animals. Consider this if you have any furry, feathered, or scaly friends at home. Ask a friend or relative to take care of them during your insect extermination process.
Make sure everything goes well with the extermination process. Follow these tips before and after you call pest control.
