What Happens During a Pest Control Visit?

Key takeaways

Knowing the broad steps is only half the picture. If you've never had a pest control treatment before, or if it's been a while, understanding exactly what to expect (and how to prepare) makes a real difference to how effective the treatment is and how smoothly the day goes.

Before the Technician Arrives: How to Prepare Your Home

Clear Access to All Areas

Ensure clear, unlocked access to all areas of the home including the roof space via the internal manhole and any subfloor access points

Remove food from kitchen benchtops, clear surfaces, and allow thorough treatment of the areas where cockroaches and ants are most active

Protect What Needs Protecting

Cover aquariums, fish tanks, and bird cages with towels or sheets, as pesticide products can be harmful to fish and birds even in small quantities

Remove all clothes from the clothesline if any exterior spray is being carried out; treatment can drift onto fabric

Close all windows before the technician arrives to prevent treated areas from being disturbed by airflow

Clean and mop the day before (not on the day); this removes grease and debris that can reduce how well products adhere to surfaces. Don't clean externally before the visit either, as window and external surfaces may be part of the treatment

Notify the Team About Vulnerable Household Members

Some household members need extra consideration around pest control treatment:

Pregnant household members must be advised in advance; they will need to vacate for a specific re-entry period

Wear Footwear at All Times

Remain indoors during the treatment unless advised otherwise. Keep footwear on throughout the service and for at least 2 hours after completion to avoid direct skin contact with any treated surfaces while the product is still wet.

Step 1: Arrival and Initial Consultation

What pests have you seen, and where?

How long has the problem been happening?

Have you tried any DIY treatments?

Are there any areas you don't want treated (gardens, specific plants, sensitive locations)?

Step 2: Property Inspection

Before any product is applied, the technician carries out a thorough pest inspection of the property. This involves checking:

kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, roof spaces, subfloor areas, skirting boards, wall cavities, and entry points

garden beds, fences, window frames, drainage areas, roof eaves, and the perimeter of the building

Pest-specific areas or wherever the pest in question is most likely to harbour, breed, or enter

Step 3: Treatment Application

Once the inspection is complete, the technician begins applying treatment. The specific products and methods used depend entirely on the pest being treated.

General Pest Control (Cockroaches, Spiders, Ants, Silverfish)

A general pest control treatment typically involves:

Interior spray applied to skirting boards, under benches, inside cupboards, along wall junctions, and in roof/subfloor spaces where accessible

Exterior spray applied around the building perimeter, window frames, door frames, eaves, and garden edges

Gel bait application (particularly for cockroaches) placed in cracks, crevices, and harbourage areas where cockroaches’ shelter

Rodent Control (Mice and Rats)

Rodent treatments involve the strategic placement of tamper-resistant bait stations in roof spaces, subfloors, garages, and exterior perimeters. For interior roof access, ensure the manhole is accessible before the technician arrives. Pets should be kept inside while rodent stations are installed externally.

Termite Control

Termite treatments are more complex and may involve:

Chemical soil barriers applied around the building perimeter

Termite baiting systems installed at strategic points

Reticulation systems for ongoing protection

A termite pest control inspection is typically carried out first using thermal imaging and moisture detection equipment to map activity before any treatment is recommended.

Flea Treatment

Bed Bug Treatment

Bed bug control treatment is one of the most intensive pest control services available. It typically involves heat treatment or targeted chemical application to mattresses, bed frames, skirting boards, and adjacent furniture. Bedding may need to be laundered at high temperature on the day of treatment.

Step 4: Photos and Reporting

If you have concerns about photo documentation, advise the team before the service begins. Note that declining photo documentation where the team deems it necessary may limit their ability to provide detailed feedback or follow-up support.

Step 5: Post-Treatment Advice and Re-Entry

Once treatment is complete, the technician walks you through what to expect next.

Re-entry times vary by treatment type and product used. As a general guide:

General pest control spray: Allow surfaces to dry fully before re-entry, typically 30 minutes to 2 hours

Rodent bait installation: No re-entry restrictions, though pets should be kept away from bait stations

Termite treatments: Varies significantly and should follow the technician's specific advice

Flea treatment: Typically 2–4 hours before re-entry

Babies, infants, pregnant household members, and sensitive individuals should follow the extended re-entry period advised by the technician. When in doubt, stay out a little longer. The product needs time to dry and settle.

What You Might See After Treatment

It's common to see increased pest activity in the first 24–72 hours after a general pest control treatment. This happens because the products disturb pest harbourage areas. Cockroaches, ants, and spiders that were hidden inside walls, under appliances, and in roof cavities are flushed out and become visible as they make contact with treated surfaces.

Don't wipe or clean treated surfaces for at least 2 weeks after the service. This allows the residual product to remain active and continue working. Cleaning too soon is one of the most common reasons treatments appear to fail.

What to Do If Pests Return