How long do you have to stay out of your house after pest control?
It depends on the type of pest control you’re receiving and what the company recommends.
For some treatments, they might recommend you leave the house for a few hours or for a few days if your home is getting fumigated. In other cases, the exterminator may tell you don’t need to leave your house at all — just stay away from the area that was sprayed with pesticide until it dries.
Before they arrive at your home, ask the exterminator if you should plan to leave your house for a certain period of time.
What are the signs of pests in your home?
Signs of pest infestations vary by the type of pest. Here are a few signs to watch out for when it comes to some of the most common pests:
Ants:
Stray ants walking around or large numbers congregating, wood shavings, ants emerging from hidden crevices, ant nests
Rats or mice:
Droppings, chewed objects and wires, scampering noises, holes in walls and floors
Cockroaches:
Cylindrical droppings, brown smear marks, live cockroaches
Fleas:
Small and dark spots on your pet’s skin, your pet starts scratching excessively, pepper-like “flea dirt” in bedding, carpet or furniture
Bed bugs
: Droppings in the seams of your mattress, rusty/reddish stains on bed sheets, bites on your skin
Termites:
Mud tubes, wood-scented droppings, small holes in walls, peeling or bubbling paint, wood damage
Bees or wasps:
Excessive number of bees and wasps, dark patches on the walls or ceilings, and papery nests or hives under roof eaves, behind shutters, on balconies or in garden sheds
If you notice any of these signs in your house, contact the best exterminators near you.