Prep Lists

For best results, follow the preparation instructions below. More time spent on proper preparation will be rewarded with faster results. 

Basic Prep 

1. Clothes: Pick up clothes on floors and hanging over chairs and wash in the hottest water possible, and then run through a hot dryer cycle for a minimum of 40 minutes. Place these clean, dry clothes in a large garbage bag sealed at the top until the treatment has been completed. 

2. Dressers and closets: It is not necessary to remove clean clothing or other items from inside dressers and closets unless these items are clearly heavily infested (visible bed bugs). Ornaments and other items can be left in place. 

3. Bedding: Remove all sheets, covers, dust ruffles, comforters, pillows, and any other bedding covers from your mattress and box spring in all bedrooms. Wash all bed linens in the hottest water possible and then run through a hot dryer cycle for a minimum of 40 minutes. Replacing the original bedding without treatment at high heat is likely to reintroduce bed bugs to the treated room, which could result in control failure. 

4. Cabin beds/beds with built-in storage: Remove all clothing items from these storage areas and wash in the hottest water possible ,and then run through a hot dryer cycle for a minimum of 40 minutes. Place these clean, dry clothes in a large garbage bag sealed at the top until the treatment has been completed. 

5. De-clutter: This will assist in removing potential bed bug harborages. Check items for signs of infestation.

6. Facilitate perimeter access: Move all furniture items away from the walls to allow access the base boards around the entire room. 

7. Baseboards: Vacuum baseboards to remove dust build-up from these areas. Remove the vacuum cleaner bag or contents of the canister, place in a plastic bag, and dispose of in the trash can outside your apartment/home. 

8. Pets: Keep cats and dogs out of treated area while treating and after treatment for 4 hours. Cover fish tanks, terrariums and small animal cages with a clean towel or sheet. 

IMPORTANT

• USA: DO NOT RE-ENTER TREATED AREAS FOR 4 HOURS AFTER SERVICE. 

• DO NOT SPRAY ANY PESTICIDES OR CLEANING PRODUCTS IN TREATED AREAS AFTER THE APREHEND TREATMENT. THIS WILL KILL THE APREHEND AND RESULT IN CONTROL FAILURE. 

Please Note

• Allow the treatment time to work, do not clean or remove the spray barriers. In most cases barriers will have been applied in inconspicuous areas, but, if infestation was suspected behind baseboards or electrical outlets, a 2” spray barrier may have been applied on the wall above or around these installations. Under certain lighting conditions, these barriers may be visible. Leave these in place until you are certain that the infestation has been eradicated. The barrier will remain active for up to 3 months if left undisturbed, but is easily removed with kitchen or bathroom cleaner when required. 

•  Live bed bugs may be visible for 2-3 weeks after the treatment. Affected bugs may be seen wandering in unusual places, this is a sign that the treatment is working. Remember that bed bugs may not leave their harborages for a number of days after treatment, and nymphs hatching from eggs will not be affected until they cross a spray barrier. However, all bed bugs will die within 3-7 days after coming into contact with Aprehend. Contact your pest control professional if you still see live bed bugs 30 days after treatment. 

AFTER TREATMENT:

1. Wait to re-enter. This allows the aerosol droplets to settle and for the Aprehend barriers to dry.

2. Regularly launder all bedding. Wash all sheets and pillowcases and dry at high heat for 30-40 minutes. Run comforters and pillows through dryer at high heat for 30-40 minutes. Launder regularly until your pest professional indicates otherwise.

3. maintain normal sleeping routines and locations. Otherwise, bugs will remain dormant in your absence and not cross an Aprehend barrier.

4. Expect wandering behavior. Prior to death, bugs emerge at odd times of the day and in plain view. 

5. DO NOT expose Aprehend to liquids. This will render Aprehend completely ineffective. 

6. DO NOT apply chemicals on the same surface as Aprehend. This includes both cleaners and over-the-counter pesticides.

7. Be patient. You'll see significant knockdown in 4-7 days, but they may emerge from different life cycle stages after that. Don't be alarmed: the Aprehend barriers will keep working up to 3 months.

PRIOR TO TREATMENT FOR GERMAN COCKROACHES

1. Do not use any other means of cockroach control (such as bug bombs, aerosols, etc) before or after treatment, as this can hamper the success of the treatment.

2. Remove all items from cabinets and underneath sinks, items such as silverware, dishes, pots and pans, open food, etc. These items may be placed in bags or boxes and need to be removed from the kitchen area to provide a better workspace for the technician.

3. Small appliances such as toasters, microwaves, and coffee makers should be left on the counter. These items will be inspected and treated if necessary.

4. In bathrooms, put away all toothbrushes, water glasses, and personal items and remove items from underneath the sink unit. Place these items in plastic bags or boxes.

5. If you have roaches in other rooms besides the kitchen or bathroom, move any items away from baseboards.

6. Make sure all children and pet toys are put away. Place all pet food and water dishes inside plastic dishes and remove them from areas that will be treated.

AFTER COCKROACH TREATMENT IS COMPLETE

• Clean all countertops, tables, and food preparation surfaces thoroughly.

• Be patient. The process can take from 3 weeks to 2 months to eliminate all roaches, due to the biology of the cockroach.

TO AVOID FUTURE INFESTATIONS

• Work to reduce clutter in your home.

• Always store foods (including pet foods) in sealed containers or inside sealed areas such as the refrigerator or freezer. (NEVER store food on the floor!)

• Reduce or remove any available food sources which your technician will identify for you.

• Keep all sinks and drains clean and sanitized, as cockroaches will find food in these places.

• Keep all plumbing in good repair.

• Be sure to keep things clean. All appliances including stoves, grills, refrigerators, tables, sinks, etc., should be cleaned and well maintained on a regular basis.

• All food contact surfaces need to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized on a regular basis.

• Pots, pans, dishes, glasses, utensils, etc., need to be properly cleaned and sanitized, and stored in a clean container after each use.

• Keep floors clean and sanitized and in good repair. Make sure no tiles are coming up or are broken.

• Clean and maintain walls and ceilings and make sure they are in good repair.

• Keep all bathrooms clean and in good repair.

• Make sure that all of your garbage containers are leak-proof and covered. Empty these containers often.

• Cooperate with the technician on any special recommendations to help remove any pest harborage and prevent conditions conducive to further infestation.

REMEMBER: THE SUCCESS OF THIS SERVICE DEPENDS UPON YOUR COOPERATION!

Landscaping Considerations

• Trim plants and shrubs away from your home’s foundation. This step is crucial. It prevents termites from hitching a ride on overhanging branches into your house. Next, cover any flower beds or gardens near the treatment area to shield them from chemicals.

• Mark sprinkler heads in your lawn as well. Doing so helps technicians avoid damaging them during outdoor treatments.

Exterior Items

• Your patio or deck likely has furniture or toys that should be secured before treatment begins. Store these items inside if possible. If not, cover them well with tarps to protect against termite control substances.

• Remove any decorative pieces from these areas too. They can get in the way of thorough treatment application.

• Also, safeguard pools and ponds by covering them appropriately.

Pet Safety

• Ensure pets are safe during this process as well. Arrange for their stay elsewhere on treatment days. Remove all pet belongings like bedding and bowls from areas getting treated.

• Let technicians from BLR Pest Control know about any outdoor pet enclosures they should steer clear of when applying treatments around your property.

Your rodent exterminator will be able to work most efficiently if you take a few steps to help them with their process. 

• Prep the kitchen: Rats and mice are always out for a meal, so preparing your kitchen is a crucial step. Make sure that all of your food is sealed and securely stowed away in your pantry or refrigerator. Throw out any damaged or rotten food items and clear out the spaces on top of and around your fridge, stove, and sink.

• Clean up trash and boxes: Sweep, vacuum, and clean all around your house next. All of the trash should be taken out and you should place lids on your trash bins, both indoor and outdoor. Boxes, bugs, and other storage items should be folded or closed and stowed away to prevent any unnecessary hiding spots. This will give your exterminator the best opportunity to lay effective bait.

• Seal visible cracks and holes: Walk around your home and inspect all of the walls and baseboards. Look for small holes, cracks, and spaces that do not seal correctly. Mice can fit through gaps as little as a quarter of an inch, and rats can fit through spaces measuring one-half of an inch, so fill and repair these cracks if you can, or report them to the landlord if you live in an apartment.

• Take notes of rodent sightings: Write a list of all the places where you or anyone in your family has seen rodents or noticed signs of them. Let your technician know where the rodent sightings took place, along with the evidence of rodent activity in particular locations. The technician will then be able to target their search to the areas where the rodents are likely active.

• Safety prep: If you find any rodent urine or feces around your house, depose of it quickly and carefully, being sure not to touch it with bare skin or prolong your exposure to it. Rodent waste can carry many diseases and should be dealt with delicately.