Post-Treatment Cleaning Tips Every Homeowner Needs to Know

Dealing with pests can leave your home feeling grubby. If you have had to spray for insects or treat your home for rodents, it can be hard to know where to start cleaning to reduce your toxin exposure. You will need to stay as patient as possible to get the most out of your pest treatment.

After treatment for insects

If your home has been treated for bedbugs, carpenter ants, spiders or termites, it's a good idea to let the treatment work for a month. Then you can reach out to The Clean Team to deep clean your carpets and upholstery.

Make sure you talk to your pest professional regarding steps such as mopping. You may find plenty of dead insects as the treatment works. However, you may need to avoid mopping for a month to get the most out of your pest treatment.

After treatment for rodents

If you've had to bring in a professional to deal with mice, you may have seen droppings for a while. Mice are pervasive and pretty stubborn; getting rid of them may take more than just one treatment.

Always wear a mask and gloves when cleaning up anything you think may be droppings or part of a mouse nest. Clean these areas immediately with a bleach and water solution. If you have pets in the home, consider giving them a flea treatment after the mice have been chased out. Fleas thrive on rodents and will look for a new home once the mice or rats are gone.

Consider a conversation with a local handyman about access points. If rats or mice have found a way into your home, there are probably gaps you can attend to make sure they can't get back in.

More exotic pests

If you are living in an older home, your attic or crawl space may have become a haven for bigger pests, such as squirrels or raccoons. Raccoons are especially clever and will make themselves at home by chewing through the wooden trim of your home and creating a filthy, foul nest in your attic.

If raccoons are the problem, your cleanup will require multiple steps. The raccoons must be trapped or driven out. The access point must be sealed up. Fouled insulation will need to be bagged up, taken away and replaced. Discuss your situation with Colorado Insulation and Whole House Fans to be sure that your home is properly sealed and insulated. Never tackle a raccoon infestation on your own. These critters can be quite territorial and can make a mess that only a professional can deal with.

Cleaning up after pest treatments can include home repairs, such as insulation replacement or siding repair. Rely on the expertise of your pest professional to make sure that you get the maximum benefits from your pest treatment. Look for more ideas on dealing with pests from TheHomeMag's Facebook and Instagram pages.