If you’ve heard of pest control or other cleaning methods in the past, you probably have ideas of a building with a tent covering it, or aerosol can fumigation bombs. Whatever comes to mind, it probably involves evacuating at least the room, if not the entire building, where the chemical treatment is used. But how true is this? How long after pest control can you go back inside? Do you need to leave at all?
Do I need to leave during a pest control treatment?
This depends on the type of pest you have and the type of treatment you opt to use. Until recent regulations on their use, it was very common to use pesticides that required people and pets to vacate their Northern Beaches premises while treatment was underway. We still use some of these old pesticide options today in extreme cases and for specific pests. That said, many pest control experts nowadays opt to use safer, eco-friendly pest control options. These options are just as effective, but without any harsh chemical compounds that would hurt more than just pests. Our safer pest control options include plant extracts that we know repel and eliminate bugs and pests, as well as diatomaceous earth.
However, coming into direct contact with modern eco-friendly pest control treatments is still not a good idea. When we use these treatments in the North Shore, modern safety regulations stipulate that we dilute them to be safe around pets, children, and everyone else. So, in most cases, you can stay while we treat your property. And if we do end up using harsher products in your home, we will inform you of the necessary precautions to take for your safety and the recommended duration of use, if applicable.
What about fumigation?
One treatment option that requires you to leave your Sydney building is fumigation. This is where we cover your building with a plastic tent and spray toxic pesticide fumigants inside. The pesticide fumigant will permeate every nook and cranny of the structure, particularly wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas. Before we let you return to your Northern Beaches home, we’ll carry out a safety check, gauging the air quality and making sure there are no remnants of the fumigants.
When can I return after a pest treatment?
You should never expose yourself to harsh pesticide treatments in your North Shore home. These pesticides can cause serious health problems, such as nervous system and respiratory issues, if you inhale them or absorb them through your skin. That’s why we will always vacate you and your pets from the areas we’re treating for pests. Our trusted exterminators will inform you of the expected timeframe for your home to become safe again. That said, the average time these harsh pesticide treatments take is as little as 2 to 4 hours, with an additional 30 minutes to let your building breathe. Open your windows and run any fans to allow the air inside to return to normal.
What should I do after pest control treatments are applied?
After a pest control treatment is complete in your North Shore home, what can you do to get back to normal, and what can you expect?
Wait for treatments to dry: Though the treatment is now finished, the first thing you need to do is to wait for the treatments to dry. Even when natural treatments are used, wet pest control treatments can transfer to clothes, skin, fur, or household items like curtains. This reduces the treatment’s effectiveness, meaning it may not work completely. So, before you move any objects back to a treated area, test a small spot of the area for dampness.
Ventilate the area: If the pest control treatment involves fumes, ventilating the area by opening windows is a good way to promote airflow and eliminate any lingering excess chemicals in the air. You can also run fans.
Leave treated surfaces alone: Whether we use a natural treatment or more intense fumigation, a pest control treatment is most effective when it sits on specific surfaces for a certain amount of time. It’s okay to dust your skirting boards, windows, or floors lightly, but wait at least two weeks before carrying out deep cleaning on treated surfaces.
If you have any pest problems and need eco-friendly pest control you can trust, contact Everest Pest Control for a free quote. Our team of fully licensed professional exterminators only use safe and effective pest control methods to keep you, your family, and your pets safe at every step. You’re in safe hands with the proper pest control methods for every home and the most effective methods for every pest.