Where Does Pest Control Spray In Apartments?

When you live in an apartment, it’s difficult to prepare for services like pest control. Unlike homeowners, you likely won’t have the convenience of talking with pest control beforehand. You may have to rely on secondhand information from your landlord.

For apartments, your exterminator will spray inside the perimeter of each room for preventative pest control. For active infestations of cockroaches or ants, they will place bait traps and spray in areas that the insects have been spotted. However, they may fumigate an entire apartment for bed bug and termite infestations.

In this apartment, we’ll give you an idea of what to expect from a pest control visit. We’ll tell you where pest control is most likely to spray, and how to prepare your apartment.

These pests are dealt with similarly. Pest control will usually place bait traps in areas that the creatures have been spotted.

Remove everything from the kitchen cupboards and cabinets. Ants and cockroaches typically invade the kitchen, since they’re mostly looking for food. Your pest control technician will need to get in these areas to spray and place their bait.

It might also be helpful to leave a note for them to make sure they have firsthand information. Let them know where you have seen the pests, and about how many times you have seen them there. Document any areas that you do not want them spraying.

If you’re dealing with fleas in your apartment, you’ll need to perform certain steps before pest control arrives. Either your landlord or the pest control company should speak with you before they arrive to inform you. These steps will help to maximize the effectiveness of your home’s flea treatment.

Here’s what usually needs to be done to prepare for a flea treatment:

Step 1: Remove all toys, clothes, pet food, etc. from floors in every room. Make sure small areas such as crawl spaces are easily accessible.

Step 2: Cover and store any food products, dishes, or utensils that are exposed.

Step 3: Wash or replace your pet’s bedding.

Step 4: Sweep and mop your hardwood, tile, and linoleum floors

Step 5: Vacuum every carpet and rug, even under and behind beds and furniture

Step 6: Remove all pets from the home during application and make arrangements to vacate the apartment for several hours.

This treatment requires significant preparation. Here’s what you will likely be asked to do to prepare for termite treatment:

Step 1: Remove any food items that are not sealed from your home. Even products in the refrigerator and freezer. This includes human food, pet food, tobacco products, and medication. Items that are sealed in plastic, glass, metal, or in cans can remain.

Step 2: Dry goods contained within cardboard boxes or in bags should be removed, even if they haven’t been opened yet.

Step 3: Remove mattresses (like crib mattresses) that have been sealed in plastic or remove the waterproof covers. The plastic on these items can hinder the effectiveness of the treatment.

Step 4: Remove all plants from the inside and outside of your apartment to prevent damage.

Bed bug treatment requires the most extensive preparation. It may feel like you’re packing to move out in some rooms. But keep in mind that each step should be followed completely to prevent recurrence of infestation, and of future treatments.

If the pest control company thinks your apartment is not adequately prepared, they might leave and plan to come back another time. Here’s what you will need to do:

Step 1: Pull all furniture away from the walls and baseboards by 2 feet.

Step 2: Take mattresses and box springs out of the bed frame and lean them up against the wall.

Step 3: Take everything out of bookshelves, dressers, and nightstands and put them in plastic bags in the center of the room.

Step 4: Takedown any pictures, mirrors, or any other décor hanging from the walls. They may want to inspect them for possible treatment.

Step 5: Remove all of your clothing from dressers and closets. Wash any clothing that can be laundered. Use the highest temperature settings possible when washing and drying. Put everything in fresh plastic bags and place them in the center of your room when you’re finished.

Step 6: Vacuum all carpets, rugs, baseboards, bed frames, couches, chairs, and any other upholstered furniture. Vacuum your mattresses, including every crevice or button.

Be aware that depending on the severity of the infestation, you might possibly have to dispose of certain pieces of furniture.

The most common logistical question of having pest control come is “When can I come back home?” Sometimes it’s tricky to plan for everyone to stay away from home, particularly if you have pets or young children.

The amount of time you will need to leave for depends on the type of infestation, and how extensive the treatment is. The pest control company could tell you to stay away for anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days. Leaving for days is usually only the case for bed bugs or termites.

Related Questions

Is pest control safe for my dog?

For less severe infestations, sometimes your pet won’t even need to leave the apartment. However, they will need to be kept away from any treated surface until it dries. For this reason, you may decide it’s easiest to remove them until it’s safe for them to roam freely at home.

How often does routine pest control happen?

If your apartment uses a pest control company for regular treatment, it is usually performed on a quarterly basis. You can probably expect to see pest control every 2-3 months.