Exterminators – What Do They Do?
What is an exterminator?
Exterminator is someone who specializes in getting rid of insects and pests inside or outside the home or business. Disinfectants can use chemicals and / or natural medicines to control head lice. They also use traps, if necessary, if there are small rats or other loose animals in the area.
They are here to help
Pest control works best when a professional evaluates the overall situation, including the reasons for the pest problem. They have seen thousands of problems so they know what works for each type of situation. They also know that every situation is different and to solve your problem correctly, they must find out why it happened.
Many extermination companies will only come to your home or business, spray some chemicals, and leave. We believe that to eliminate and destroy pests or insects properly, we must also find out where they came from to prevent future problems. We will carry out a thorough inspection of the building and make recommendations about actions you can take to ensure your home or business is free of pests.
6 Things to Expect From Your First Pest Control Service Visit
If you are considering pest control service for the first time, you may wonder what to expect from the initial visit. Once you know what to expect, the process is a bit less worrisome. We put together a list of six things you should expect from the first pest control visit.
A Professional Introduction
Your professional should arrive on time and come dressed in a uniform. He or she should introduce themselves to you upon arrival. You should feel comfortable with his or her presence in your home since the exterminator will need to move around both inside and outside. Therefore, make sure to ask any questions or voice any concerns now. Then, you’ll be able to relax and the exterminator can do his or her job.
Entry Point Inspection
One of the most vital places the pest control representative will check is entry areas. This means checking around pipes, windows, doors, attics, garages, and crawlspaces. These are all areas where insects, rodents, and other pests enter the home. An inspection of these areas takes some time, as the professional will need to look for cracks and find hidden areas that could allow pests to enter.
Yard Examination
Another important step is inspecting your yard and the rest of your property. In checking the outdoor spaces, he or she may find areas of concern for future pest issues.
Moisture Check
The exterminator will most likely check moisture in and around your home. A moist area is more likely to attract and harbor pests than one that is dry. He or she will use a flashlight and tools including a moisture meter to find areas that may pose a problem.
Review and Report
There’s a good chance that your exterminator will need to take a few minutes to put together his or her findings. Some pros put together an “official” report too. Expect the professional to spend a few moments in his or her car or at a table going over the information found and creating a plan for future treatments. Allow the pro to work alone during this time as it can be quite a challenge to put all of the information together in an easy-to-read format.
Discussion
After your professional has all the data put together, he or she will sit down with you to discuss the findings. The idea is to inform you of exactly what is going on in your home. You should learn what he found, and what steps you need to take to remedy any current problems and prevent future ones. This is also a great time to ask any questions you may have about the inspection or future services. You may wish to ask if you need to use any precautions around pets, or if you need to do any follow-up care on your own.
Pest Control vs. Exterminators … What’s the difference?
Exterminators and pest management professionals have several differences, although their goal of eliminating the pests may be similar. Exterminators rely on pesticides to eliminate the unwanted pests, using chemicals that could be more toxic than necessary whereas a pest control professional will focus on why the pests are present and look to alter the conditions that attracted them in the first place. If chemicals become necessary, the pest management professional will use more environmentally friendly products to get rid of the pests. Pest control companies tend to use products that are just as effective on the bugs but have little odor, are much less toxic to humans and pets and are applied in a very targeted fashion. Some treatments even completely eliminate the use of pesticides. The biggest difference is that pest management professionals look for long-term solutions, rather than simply spraying chemicals to kill the pests you see.
How Do Professional Exterminators Work?
Generally, an engagement with professional exterminators begins with a consultation, where they will inspect your home, inside and out. Depending on the type of infestation you’re experiencing, they will look in and for specific things. With the more common problems like roaches or ants, they’ll seek out how they’re getting in, and seek out less-traveled regions of a space, where they can hide undisturbed.
At this point, they’ll give you an assessment of treatment needed (this varies significantly depending on the type of infestation, type of structure and size of the infestation), predicted price, and potential further maintenance treatments to keep them out.
Once you’ve chosen your exterminator, and you’ve arranged an appointment, they will advise you on preparation for their arrival (including safety measures for children and pets – something we’ll touch on later). In the case of small rodents and bugs, this generally involves placing down chemicals along baseboards, foundations and behind furniture, as well as along points of entry. Larger animals may require traps and other measures, which can become complex and depends on your climate and the type of animal.
Things to do after pest control treatment
Now that we are done with how to prepare for a pest control service at home, let’s take a look at what you need to do after the pest control service is completed. These before and after pest control tips are highly essential to ensure a successful service.
- Wait:
If you had to vacate the premises, wait until the recommended time before you head back home.
- Discard any food left outside:
If you accidentally left any food outside, throw them in the garbage. Even if they used organic chemicals for the pest control process, such food will never be entirely healthy for you.
- Do not clean immediately:
UrbanClap’s pest control service professionals are trained and will not leave behind a mess. There should be no need to immediately sweep and mop the area. In many cases, it may wipe off any treated baseboards, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment. Pest control treatments are usually customized based on your needs. So, you will be told when you can clean again and if there are any areas you should not wash. Do not do a deep cleaning for at least a week.
- Repair any leaks:
If you have any leaking taps or drainage pipes in the house, get them fixed as soon as possible. Water from leaks serve as an entry for pests, and may lead to a re-infestation.
- Avoid leaving paper around:
Paper can be a source of food for many pests. Wet paper (of any kind) and brown bags (used to carry groceries) are the ones to look out for. Do not store old newspapers and magazines in or near the kitchen.
- Protect yourself:
Wear a pair of disposable gloves when you handle sprayed surfaces for the first time. Even while unwrapping objects, take care not to touch any surface with naked hands.
- Keep checking for pests:
In the days following the treatment, you will likely continue to find dead pests every now and then with diminishing frequency. Make sure to check the trouble-spots regularly and keep them clean. Dead pests can attract other pests, compounding your problems.
These lists are by no means exhaustive. You will need to co-ordinate with the pest control service to ensure you are truly prepared and have the best service delivered to you.