It's a common misconception that once a professional pest control treatment has been performed, all of your pest problems will disappear immediately.
Fact: A professional pest control treatment can take as long as 6 weeks to fully eradicate your pest problem.
We can all blame Louie the Fly - you know, the pest on TV from that well known DIY pest control advertisement who implies that it's as simple as spraying the over-the-counter- aerosol can of pesticide around and pests are dead, just like that.
All Things Pest Control uses a combination of dust, gels, baits, aerosols, and liquid misting sprays - some of which create a residual long term treatment, as opposed to a fast acting, short term fix.
To put it simply, your pests won't die immediately. The upside to a slow acting treatment is it enables the pests to carry the treatment back to their nests undetected and wipe the colony out from the source.
The benefit? Treating a pest problem at the source means a more reliable, long term eradication. It also means far less pesticide exposure to you and your family, as there is no continuous, often erratic spraying, of over-the-counter sprays which can build up a pests chemical resistance (making them harder to eradicate) and be dangerous to family and pets health if misused.
CLEANING – BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR TREATMENT
To make sure you get the best out of your treatment, it’s important that you mop floors prior to the pest control being performed. This will create a nice clean surface that helps the treatment bind to.
The perimeter spray is designed to last approximately 30 to 90 days in terms of protection and is generally applied around skirting and kick boards at the walls edge.
After treatment, avoid mopping the areas around your skirting or kick boards for several weeks. This does not mean not mopping your floors - just avoid hard scrubbing the wall edges around the perimeter of the room.
If you outsource your cleaning, ensure you inform your cleaner of this recommendation and also make your pest control service aware. If cleaners are wiping over skirting boards and window tracks monthly they are essentially breaking down areas of treatment faster, which limits the amount of time pests have to be exposed to it.
It's important that general cleaning still carried out. Preserving the perimeter-treated zone around the wall edges, skirting boards and kick boards is really important as you want that invisible barrier to stay there as long as possible to ensure more pests are exposed to it over those 30-90 days.
PEST CONTROL TREATMENT AND AN INCREASE IN ACTIVITY
When All Things Pest Control conduct pest control treatments, for pests such as ants, cockroaches and spiders etc – in applicable structures, part of the service involves dusting the weep-holes, the roof void, all cracks and crevices with a fine film or dust. This includes behind fridges, dishwashers, hot water services and anywhere where pest activity is likely to be present.
It is very common in the first two weeks after a treatment, to see a large increase in pest activity ie. ants and cockroaches.
Don't pick up that phone just yet! It's normal.
This is due to the vast number of pests living within walls and cavities that are being flushed out by our treatments.
Generally, the population of visible pests will decrease within the first 2 weeks, then over the following weeks, the last of them will be affected by the gel and residual sprays.
So, while you may feel your pest problem isn't improving as quickly as you thought it would, be reassured this is all part of the treatment so long term eradication can be achieved!
WHAT ABOUT PETS AND CHILDREN?
All Things Pest Control uses safe, odour free products that are applied in a very fine mist to specific surfaces only. Once applied, the spray takes approximately 25 minutes to dry.
Gels, dusts or aerosols are often applied strategically inside cabinetry voids and behind hinges and are inaccessible by children & pets.
Most homeowners will often pop out for the time it takes to do the inside treatment.
Our technicians can even lock up for you once they've completed the job.
Once the area has dried, it is perfectly safe for children and pets to return.
There’s no airborne residual or smell. Once dry, the treatment binds to the surface it was applied to and takes effect.
THE PEST CONTROL HASN'T WORKED
One of the biggest concerns we receive after a treatment are calls from people who believe the treatment isn't working.
They call us saying “Our place is infested with cockroaches & ants! We need a treatment again right away.”
As mentioned above, increased activity within the property is very common.
Within a month, if you haven't found any dead pests or had a decrease in your original pest problem our technicians will come out and re-treat to ensure total eradication is achieved within your free service period.
Reapplying pesticides within 4 weeks after the first treatment will not make a pest treatment more effective.
In some cases over treatment can prevent the effectiveness of the residual treatment working as the pests are killed immediately, rather than taking it back to their nests. This means the survivors in the nests will need to come out and come into direct contact with the residual treatments, so again, a longer timeframe for total eradication.
Over treating and prolonged use of pesticides can also contribute to a pesticide resistance which will make pests harder to treat in the coming years.
A final note:
Pests (especially cockroaches) can and will fly into your home through unsecured fly screens, gaps under your door, in your washing, or even up drains. Spotting an odd roach doesn't always mean an infestation is hiding within the walls. It could just mean that it has simply flown in from the outdoors and not come in contact with with the treatment just yet.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO KILL EVERYTHING OFF?
Pesticides are not instant-kill products like they used to be, where you see everything dead within a matter of an hour. Some of the non-repellent pesticides that we use are slow-acting, because they’re designed for pests not to be able to detect the treated zones, so they don’t avoid it!
Here’s a brief overview of how long it might take for things to settle down, once you’ve had your property treated.
Large cockroaches, spiders, carpet beetles, silverfish, wasp nests etc.
How long : 6 weeks
Notes :
Cockroaches should be completely eradicated within 6 weeks. An increase in activity is common post treatment for the first couple of weeks.
Be sure to keep an eye on active parts of the property and clean where necessary.
Spiders - Webbing & Ground varieties.
How long : 4 weeks
Notes :
You should notice a significant decrease in webbing spiders around external windows and eaves within a short period of time by up to 80-90%.
Spiders are only killed when they come in direct contact with a treatment as it is being applied. Which means they need to be present when our technicians are treating your property. Avoid knocking webs down prior to our arrival.
Ground spiders i.e Huntsman and Wolf Spiders can hide in tunnels underground or within organic debris throughout the garden, completely avoiding treatments. If you have an issue with these types of spiders, please let us know. All Things Pest Control will tailor a pest control treatment specifically to your needs.
For properties with prominent ground spider problems, ongoing spiders treatments every 2-3 months is encouraged. Especially if leafy/mulched gardens, woodpiles or natural landscape/bushy surrounds are close-by.
Once the reproductive cycle has been broken, annual treatments should suffice.
It is very common for the odd spider(s) to make their way into homes occasionally via gaps under doors, unsecured fly screens, drains and even washing baskets. Your best method of removal is physically removing them with a glass and paper method and disposing them back outside. Alternatively, a direct spray with a can of pesticide will kill them on the spot. If you are worried, please contact us. We are here to help!
For an effective long term spider treatment, the warmer months are best to have this service carried out when spider activity is at its peak.
Be sure to keep an eye on activity post treatment to ensure the safety of your kids and pets.
Ants
How long : 6 weeks
Notes :
It’s common to continue to see ants up to 3-4 weeks after treatment. Pesticides used for ants are designed to be returned to the nest, therefor removing the problem at its core. Be sure to follow the instructions that are provided to you by our pest control technicians.
Rodents (rats, mice etc)
How long : 2-4 weeks
Notes :
As with other types of pest, rats and mice behave in a similar way, in that there will likely be an increase in activity. It’s not uncommon to see, or even hear mice playing with baits, however this should subside within 3-4 weeks.
Be sure not to seal off any entrance/exit points until the infestation has been eliminated. Follow-up monitoring and treatments are often required at the 1 week mark.
Active Rodent infestation treatments require an initial treatment and follow-up in 1 week at a minimum. The first treatment is often installation of baits or traps
with a wait and see approach. The subsequent follow-up in 1 week monitors the existing baits, (indicates activity to specific areas), the addition of a variety of baits elsewhere if required and then recommendations of required repairs/maintenance and identification of entry/exit points (if any) to ensure the rodent problem doesn't return.
In situations where baits have been eaten on both occasions, it pays to have another follow-up within a few months to ensure activity has ceased entirely.
Rodent prevention treatments are a one-off treatment that involves installation of baits in key areas rodents might frequent; generally ceiling voids, subfloors or sheds. These stations are usually monitored annually when the homeowner has their general pest control treatment conducted and provides peace of mind they are preventing an infestation, rather than waiting for one.
Fleas
How long : 3-4 weeks
Notes :
Remove pets from the affected areas if possible while treatment takes place. Felines can go from room to room as the technician works. Be sure to vacuum daily after the day of treatment as this will assist the eggs hatching and the pupae being released from their eggs. You may continue to see fleas and be bitten for up to 3 weeks. A secondary treatment is needed for active infestations. Second treatments are treating the hatched eggs. Treatments do not kill unhatched flea eggs.
Bed bugs
How long : 6 weeks
Notes :
Bed bug removal can be difficult, however you should see a 50% reduction in the 1st week following treatment. All bedding, rugs, curtains, carpets would need to be washed hot water/steam cleaned. A complete and thorough wipe and wash of all walls, furnishings, fittings/fixtures etc would need to be done as bed bugs can harbour in all little nooks and crevices. Bed mattresses would also need to have a thorough vacuum. Bites may continue but should subside within the 2nd or 3rd week.
A follow up treatment may be required in some cases.
MOST IMPORTANTLY AFTER A TREATMENT..
We always encourage our clients to avoid disturbing any of the treated areas. You can still clean, vacuum or even hose down certain areas of the outside of your property, but just avoid mopping right up to the edges of internal walls for the first couple of weeks. The same goes for pressure washing the exterior of the house. Avoid around the windows, eaves and the base of the walls where they meet the earth.
A final note on ants, please avoid spraying any over-the-counter pesticides or disturbing ant trails after a treatment. Ants are in the process of carrying the pesticide back to their nest - disrupting them will disrupt your treatment.
Need help from All Things Pest Control?
All Things Pest Control have been providing pest control services throughout Mackay, Sarina, Seaforth, Mirani, Marian, Eungella Range and the Coalfields since 2017. Having been a part of one of Mackay's well known pest control franchises in the family business, in 2017, All Things Pest Control was born. A 100% locally owned and operated company dedicated to providing an honest and reliable pest control service to the Mackay region.
We have performed thousands of pest inspections and termite and pest control services throughout Mackay.
We’re also –
Fully insured, licensed and certified with the latest Covid-19 infection control training. With many awards under our belts, our specialist pest technicians are among the most experienced and qualified in the pest control industry with over 30+ years combined experience.
We are dedicated to providing pest control solutions that are safe and affordable for your family and pets.
We can provide pest management services in residential, commercial and industrial properties.
Contact All Things Pest Control Mackay today for all your termite and general Pest Control needs.
Great article, At Neptune Pest Control, we recognize that maintaining a clean and pest-free environment is essential for your health and comfort. Pests not only disrupt your daily life but can also pose serious health visit https://www.neptunepestcontrol.co.ke/
Great article! I recently dealt with pest issues, and pest control Toronto came to the rescue—highly recommend them.
This is an informative post! If you need a reliable mouse exterminator Toronto, check out Pesticon.
Thank you for the candid insights on post-pest control expectations. Your post has shed light on the realistic timeline of pest control effectiveness. It's great to have clear expectations and understand the process better!