Before Treatment The cleaner the floor, the more effective the treatment. Further, you'll likely be recommended not to mop the perimeter of the floors for several weeks after treatment, so you may feel better having a complete clean beforehand.
Scheduling fumigation may be essential to making your home a pest-free space. Additionally, cleaning after fumigation is necessary to help clear the smell and any residue left behind.
Clean, then pest control, then clean again. Make sure the second cleaners know not to do specific tasks like clean the baseboards or wipe inside of cabinets or whatever instructions the pest control people do.
Following a systematic order for cleaning your house can make the task more manageable and ensure a thorough job. By starting with decluttering and moving through dusting, disinfecting, vacuuming, mopping, and specific room cleaning, you create a clean and organized living space.
After fumigation and clearance:
Allow extra time for airing out your home, with windows open, before moving back in. Sulfuryl fluoride has been measured in homes up to 48 hours after clearance.
All items such as food, feed, drugs (including tobacco) and medicines not adequately packaged (including those items in refrigerators and freezers) must either be removed from the structure being fumigated or sealed in protective Nylofume bags.
So, what is the correct order of cleaning? Generally, it's best to start with decluttering each room, followed by dusting surfaces from top to bottom. Next, clean windows and mirrors, then tackle the floors by vacuuming and mopping. Finish with the kitchen and bathrooms to ensure they're hygienically spotless.
Pest control professionals will spray along baseboards, worktops, under sinks, and inside cabinets to eliminate existing pests and prevent new infestations.
Prepare Kitchen
This area will most likely be the first place an exterminator will inspect so it is important to give the kitchen a quick clean, open cupboards and drawers, and empty the trash. It also helps to move appliances forward if possible so exterminators can easily access behind stoves and refrigerators.
We recommend dusting before vacuuming, this is because dust particles usually get moved around the room when you dust, meaning all your hard work will go to waste. A top tip is to wait at least 2 hours after dusting to get the vacuum out.
Additionally, it's prudent to wash bedding, clothing, and other items that may have come into contact with the fumigation residue. These precautionary measures help eliminate any lingering traces of the fumigation process.
Safety Check: The fumigation company will test the air quality to ensure it's safe for re-entry. Re-entry Time: This varies based on the chemicals used and the home's size, but it is typically 24 to 72 hours.
If your home and property are not already treated for pests, you may see an increase in the number of ants and other bugs that find their way into your home after your fumigation treatment. These bugs show up to feed on the dead termite colonies and can be easily treated with a whole home pest control program.
If the 5x5 method is as new to you as it was to me, allow me to explain. Coined by Steph of The Secret Slob, this technique requires nothing but a timer and twenty-five free minutes. Pick five rooms or zones and dedicate five minutes per area.
So essentially. you pick up one item, put it away, that's number one. Pick up another item, put it away, that's number 2. And so on and so forth until you get to 5.
Remove pets, plants, food and medication
Fumigants are toxic to pets, fish, reptiles, and house plants, so they must be removed from the house during fumigation. Experts also recommend turning off the air pump in tanks before fumigation.
If they do not provide bags, all food items must be REMOVED from the property. THIS IS REQUIRED BY LAW. Does makeup, shampoo/conditioner, and lotions need to be removed? Make-up, shampoo/conditioner, and lotions DO NOT need to be removed.