Why prep matters
Pest treatment effectiveness drops significantly when prep is incomplete. Cockroach treatment without kitchen deep-clean misses harborages behind the refrigerator coils and under the dishwasher — areas we can treat but that need to be clear for product to reach. Bed bug treatment without laundered bedding leaves eggs viable on fabric. Rodent treatment without cleared under-sink storage means we can't access the structural gaps we need to seal. The prep step is the homeowner's contribution to treatment success. We bring the expertise and materials; prep makes it possible to apply them where they need to go. When retreatment is needed within the 60-day guarantee window, incomplete prep is the cause in a majority of cases.
Universal prep (all treatment types)
- Pets relocated or in carriers for the duration of treatment and dry interval.
- Children out of treatment areas during application and re-entry interval.
- Food sealed or stored away from treatment surfaces. Open food containers in cabinets being treated should be bagged.
- Plants relocated or covered if specified for treatment type.
- Clear access to treatment areas — move heavy items, declutter visible counters.
- Water bowls, pet food dishes, and fish tanks covered or relocated.
Treatment-specific prep
| Treatment | Specific prep |
|---|---|
| Rodent (one-time) | Empty under-sink areas; clear behind appliances if possible; identify indoor pet feeding stations so tech can plan placement around them |
| Carpenter ant | Identify visible ant trails; don't disturb frass; clear access to suspected gallery areas (windowsills, baseboards, deck framing) |
| Cockroach (multi-visit) | Deep clean kitchen — pull/clean appliances; empty cabinets if specified; bag clothing in infested areas for laundry; expect 3–4 hours total prep |
| Bed bug heat treatment | Launder all bedding/clothing on hot; remove plants and pets; stage heat-sensitive items per checklist; declutter for tech access throughout room |
| Wasp | Stay 5+ m from nest area; close nearby windows; remove or cover anything directly below nest; no prep inside home |
| Quarterly subscription visit | No prep needed for most visits — quarterly is preventive perimeter work; just ensure exterior access |
The bed bug prep deep-dive
Bed bug treatment — whether heat or chemical — requires the most extensive homeowner prep, and it's worth understanding why. Heat treatment for bed bugs requires that the room reach 55–60°C and hold that temperature for several hours. Items that can be damaged at that temperature (candles, vinyl records, certain electronics, plants) need to be removed. Every piece of bedding, toweling, and clothing in the room needs to be laundered on hot and sealed in bags before treatment — because laundering after treatment can reintroduce any bugs that survived on fabric outside the heat zone. For chemical bed bug treatment: bedding must be laundered before treatment (not after) for the same reason. The mattress must be accessible — mattress encasements go on after the initial treatment cycle, not before. Clutter under beds and in closets must be decluttered — bed bugs hide in anything, and unreachable harborage means incomplete treatment. We send a detailed bed bug prep checklist 48 hours before every booking. The checklist is specific and complete — follow it exactly.