When pests invade your home, calling in a professional pest control team is the smart and responsible thing to do. But even the best eco-friendly treatments need a little preparation on your part to ensure the job is effective and your home is protected.
At One Man and a Ladybug, we pride ourselves on offering safe, environmentally responsible pest control services tailored to Calgary’s unique pest patterns. Whether you’re dealing with ants in spring, mosquitoes in summer, or rodents in fall, our treatments are designed to target the issue with precision. But preparation makes all the difference.
This guide will walk you through the simple but important steps you can take to prepare your home for a pest control visit so the treatment works as intended, your family stays safe, and pests don’t stand a chance.
Understand What You’re Treating For
The first step is understanding which pests are being treated. Not all treatments are the same. Our eco-friendly solutions are customized depending on the pest and the time of year. For example, a spider treatment might focus on cracks, corners, and hidden crevices in early spring, while mosquito control targets breeding zones around your yard during summer.
Knowing what we’re treating allows you to prepare the specific areas most likely to be affected.
Clean, but Don’t Deep Clean
A general tidy-up is important. Vacuum and mop your floors, especially along baseboards and under furniture. Remove crumbs, garbage, and clutter that might provide hiding spots or food sources for pests. However, avoid doing a full deep clean right after treatment. Many pest control solutions work over time, and heavy cleaning too soon can reduce their effectiveness.
Clear Access to Problem Areas
One of the most helpful things you can do is ensure easy access to high-activity zones. If we’re treating a rodent infestation, we’ll need access to basements, utility rooms, and entry points. For ants, we’ll want a clear path to kitchen counters and food storage areas. For spiders, clearing away boxes or furniture from wall edges is a good idea.
Move furniture a few feet away from walls and remove any large items blocking vents or crawl spaces. The more accessible the target areas, the more thorough we can be.
Store Food and Utensils Securely
Even though our treatments are family-safe and eco-conscious, it’s still smart to secure any open food items. Place pantry goods in sealed containers or temporarily store them in the fridge. Cover or store kitchen utensils, pet bowls, and small appliances. This isn’t just about safety—it’s also about preventing pests from finding new food sources before treatment kicks in.
Protect Pets and Kids
Our pest control methods are chosen specifically for their low toxicity and minimal impact on pets and kids. Still, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Keep children and pets away from treated areas for the recommended time—usually a few hours. For reptiles, birds, and aquariums, consult us directly. They may require additional precautions.
Let us know in advance if you have pets that roam freely indoors or outdoors so we can adjust the treatment accordingly.
Address Outdoor Concerns
If your treatment includes outdoor areas—like mosquito or wasp control—there are a few things to prepare outside as well. Mow the lawn, remove debris, and empty any standing water in containers to eliminate breeding grounds. If we’re treating around windows, doors, or the foundation, be sure to trim back vegetation so we can reach those areas without obstruction.
Outdoor prep ensures pests are driven away and don’t simply relocate around the untreated perimeter.
Follow the Aftercare Instructions
After the treatment, we’ll provide simple guidelines for what to expect and how to maintain a pest-free home. This may include:
- Avoiding vacuuming treated areas for a few days
- Sealing up cracks or holes that pests were using to enter
- Continuing to monitor activity levels and reporting changes
- Scheduling seasonal follow-ups for ongoing protection
Our goal is not just to solve the problem, but to keep your home protected long after we leave.
Why Preparation Matters
Pest control is a team effort. Our trained technicians bring the tools and expertise, but your preparation ensures those tools are used to their full potential. Skipping prep can reduce the effectiveness of treatment, lead to reinfestation, or delay results.
When your home is ready, the treatment penetrates deeper, targets the right areas, and disrupts pest activity faster.
One Man and a Ladybug’s Approach
As a Calgary-based company, we understand the importance of treating seasonal pests with care and precision. But we also know how much peace of mind matters. Our eco-friendly services are designed to work in harmony with your home, not against it.
From safe treatments to clear communication, we’re committed to providing not just pest control—but control over your environment, your safety, and your peace of mind.
Let us handle the pests. You just make space for the solution.