How to Prepare Your Home for Professional Pest Control: The Complete Checklist

By Jonathan Stoddard, Entomologist at Imperial Pest Prevention

Why Your Preparation Matters

As an entomologist with Imperial Pest Prevention, I’ve seen firsthand that preparation is the single most important factor in successful pest management. Proper prep doesn’t just make our job easier—it makes treatments more effective, reduces retreatments, and ensures your home stays pest-free longer.

This guide gives you a step-by-step, practical plan to prepare for any pest control service, whether it’s for ants, roaches, bed bugs, fleas, rodents, or termite fumigation.

Table of Contents

• Universal Prep Checklist

• Room-by-Room Preparation

• Pest-Specific Instructions

• Day of Service Guidelines

• Aftercare and Re-Entry

• What Not to Do

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Printable Checklist

Universal Prep Checklist

Start 24–48 hours before your scheduled service.

Access and Safety

•  Move furniture 2–3 feet from walls where possible.

•  Unlock gates, attics, crawlspaces, and utility closets.

•  Secure pets or have them off-site; cover aquariums and turn off aerators.

•  Ensure technicians have clear access to all treatment areas.

Cleaning and Sanitation

•  Vacuum and mop floors, especially along baseboards.

•  Empty vacuum contents outdoors immediately.

•  Wipe counters and store away food, utensils, and small appliances.

•  Reduce clutter throughout your home to expose harborage areas.

Food and Personal Items

•  Store open food in sealed containers or refrigerators.

•  Bag infant toys, bottles, and personal hygiene items.

•  Remove or cover pet dishes and bedding.

Outdoor Preparation

•  Trim vegetation 6–18 inches from your home’s foundation.

•  Pull mulch back from siding.

•  Fix any leaks or standing water near the home.

Room-by-Room Preparation

Kitchen

•  Clear countertops and store food securely.

•  Pull stove and refrigerator forward if safe to access behind them.

•  Clean under and around appliances and trash bins.

Bathrooms and Laundry Rooms

•  Clear items from under sinks.

•  Remove clutter around plumbing and storage shelves.

Bedrooms and Living Spaces

•  Lift items off the floor and declutter closets.

•  Strip beds and wash bedding if specified in your treatment instructions.

Garage and Utility Areas

•  Move stored items from corners and baseplates.

•  Sweep or vacuum cobwebs and debris to reveal pest activity.

Pest-Specific Instructions

Cockroaches and Ants

•  Deep clean kitchen surfaces and remove grease or crumbs.

•  Avoid using over-the-counter sprays for 7–10 days before and after treatment.

•  Empty cabinets only if instructed.

Bed Bugs

•  Declutter rooms thoroughly to reduce hiding spots.

•  Wash and dry clothing and linens on high heat for 30 minutes or more.

•  Bag and seal cleaned items immediately.

•  Move the bed 6–8 inches from the wall and remove bed skirts.

•  Do not move untreated items into clean areas.

Fleas and Ticks

•  Treat all pets the same day as your service.

•  Vacuum carpets, rugs, furniture, and pet resting areas thoroughly.

•  Wash pet bedding and blankets on high heat.

Rodents

•  Leave droppings or nesting evidence untouched for technician inspection.

•  Provide access to attics, basements, and behind appliances.

•  Store dry goods in sealed, bite-proof containers.

Termite Fumigation

•  Arrange to be out of the home for 3-5 days.

•  Bag or remove consumables and sensitive items as directed.

•  Trim plants back 18 inches and water the soil perimeter.

•  Unlock gates and access points for fumigation crews.

Day of Service Guidelines

•  Meet your technician to review key areas and discuss concerns.

•  Follow all instructions for temporary vacating if required.

•  Ventilate areas only as advised after treatment.

•  Keep pets and people out of treated zones until cleared.

Aftercare and Re-Entry

• Avoid heavy cleaning along baseboards or treated areas for 7–10 days.

• Normal cleaning of countertops and food prep surfaces is acceptable.

• Expect a brief increase in pest activity after service as pests are flushed out.

• Follow up as recommended for multi-visit treatments such as bed bugs or fleas.

What Not to Do

• Don’t use store-bought foggers or sprays before your appointment.

• Don’t clean or mop treated baseboards immediately after service.

• Don’t transfer potentially infested items to other rooms.

• Don’t block technician access to treatment zones.

• Don’t ignore leaks or humidity problems that attract pests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do I need to empty all kitchen cabinets? No, only if your technician instructs you. Many professional products work best when left undisturbed.

Q2: How long must I stay out after treatment? It depends on the service type and products used. Your technician will specify re-entry times.

Q3: Can I clean right after service? Avoid mopping treated baseboards for at least a week. Light cleaning of counters is fine.

Q4: Why do I see more bugs after treatment? It’s normal for pests to emerge as they’re flushed from hiding. Activity usually declines within several days.

Q5: What should I do with aquariums and pet bowls? Cover aquariums, turn off air pumps, and remove food/water dishes during service.

Q6: Can I use my own sprays between visits? No. Over-the-counter sprays may repel pests from professional treatments.

Q7: How should I prepare for bed bug service? Launder everything on high heat, declutter, and isolate your bed from walls and furniture.

Q8: How do I prepare for fleas or ticks? Vacuum thoroughly, wash pet bedding, and ensure pets are treated by your veterinarian.

Q9: Should I clean rodent droppings before inspection? No. Fresh droppings help us identify active areas. We’ll advise on safe cleanup afterward.

Q10: What’s the most important step overall? Declutter. It’s the single most effective prep measure to ensure thorough treatment coverage.

Printable Checklist

General Preparation

•  Move furniture and clear baseboards.

•  Declutter rooms and closets.

•  Secure pets and cover aquariums.

•  Store food, dishes, and small appliances.

•  Vacuum floors and dispose of debris outdoors.

•  Unlock access points and gates.

•  Trim plants and fix leaks outside.

Pest-Specific Add-Ons

• Roaches/Ants: Pause DIY sprays; deep clean kitchens.

• Bed Bugs: High-heat laundry; isolate bed.

• Fleas/Ticks: Treat pets; vacuum furniture.

• Rodents: Leave evidence for inspection.

• Fumigation: Plan lodging; follow bagging list.

A Final Note from Jonathan Stoddard

At Imperial Pest Prevention, we believe great pest control begins before we arrive. The better your home is prepared, the faster and more thorough your results will be. Every step you take helps us deliver the safest, most effective service possible.

If you need a personalized prep sheet for your specific service, reach out to Imperial Pest Prevention at 386-956-9506. We have real staff members in a local office to answer your phone calls and provide help