These instructions provide general preparation guidance for common BLR services. Preparation requirements vary by pest, property and treatment method. Always follow the specific instructions provided by BLR, even if they differ from the general information below. If you are unsure whether an instruction applies to your appointment, call or text (859) 319-1988 before moving belongings or applying any product.
Bed bug preparation varies according to the treatment plan. Do not begin extensive preparation until BLR provides instructions for your property. Unnecessary movement of belongings can spread bed bugs into previously unaffected areas.
Before treatment:
Do not move furniture, bedding or personal belongings into another room.
Do not discard mattresses, furniture or other belongings unless specifically instructed.
Do not use foggers, bug bombs, aerosol sprays, dusts or other pesticides before treatment.
Continue sleeping in the usual location unless instructed otherwise. Moving to another room can redirect and spread activity.
Provide access around beds, upholstered furniture, baseboards, closets and other areas where activity has been observed.
Reduce clutter carefully without transferring items into unaffected rooms. Bag or contain items according to the instructions provided by BLR.
Launder or heat-dry only the items identified in your preparation instructions. Place cleaned items into new sealed bags or containers.
Remove people and pets during treatment and do not return until the treatment is complete and the required label-directed re-entry period has passed.
After treatment:
Do not clean, vacuum or wash treated surfaces unless instructed.
Do not remove monitors, encasements or other treatment materials.
Do not move treated furniture or begin sleeping in another room.
Continue monitoring and report where and when any activity is observed.
Follow-up inspections or additional treatments may be necessary depending on the infestation and treatment method.
Before treatment:
Do not use aerosol sprays, foggers, bug bombs or other over-the-counter insecticides. These products can contaminate bait placements, interfere with non-repellent treatments and scatter cockroaches into new areas.
Wash dishes, wipe up grease and food debris, empty the trash and remove unnecessary cardboard.
Store food, pet food and animal treats in sealed containers. Do not leave food or dirty dishes out overnight.
Correct leaking faucets or plumbing when possible and remove other unnecessary water sources.
Provide access beneath sinks and around refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers and other areas where activity has been observed. Do not empty every cabinet unless specifically instructed.
Do not move heavy appliances if doing so would be unsafe or could damage the appliance or flooring.
After treatment:
Do not remove insect monitors, bait placements or treatment materials.
Do not spray insecticide or apply strong cleaning products over or near bait and treated cracks or crevices.
Continue removing food, grease, trash and unnecessary water sources.
Some activity may remain visible while the treatment spreads through the population. Severe infestations commonly require multiple visits.
A follow-up inspection should generally be completed within five to seven days so activity can be evaluated and bait or other treatment reapplied where necessary.
Additional preparation may be required for severe infestations, restaurants, apartments or other shared structures. Follow any property-specific instructions provided by BLR.
Before the inspection:
Do not remove shelter tubes, discarded wings, damaged wood or other suspected evidence before it can be examined.
Clear access to crawlspace entrances, basement and garage foundation walls, plumbing penetrations, slab edges and any areas where activity has been observed.
Move stored items away from accessible foundation walls when practical.
Provide any available records, treatment graphs, warranties or information about previous termite work.
If treatment is scheduled:
Move furniture, stored belongings, toys, planters, grills and other items away from the areas identified for treatment.
Unlock gates and provide access to crawlspaces, basements, garages and utility areas.
Tell BLR about underground irrigation, invisible fencing, landscape lighting, private electrical lines, drain lines or other buried items near the foundation.
Keep children and pets away from treatment areas until the application is complete and any required label-directed re-entry period has passed.
Do not disturb installed termite bait stations or treated soil.
Preparation requirements vary depending on whether the treatment involves liquid soil treatment, bait stations, drilling or treatment of an interior area. Specific instructions will be provided after the inspection and treatment plan are completed.
Before your appointment:
Do not seal suspected entry points before the inspection. Make note of where you have seen activity so those areas can be evaluated first.
Clear access beneath sinks, behind appliances, along walls and near any suspected entry points.
Store human food, pet food and birdseed in sealed containers. Clean up food spills and remove accessible trash.
Do not move or disturb existing traps or bait stations.
Rodent droppings, urine and nesting materials should never be swept or vacuumed while dry. If they can be left safely until the inspection, their location may help identify travel routes and harborage areas.
If cleanup is necessary, wear rubber or plastic gloves and thoroughly wet the contaminated material with an EPA-registered disinfectant or a fresh solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Allow it to remain wet for at least five minutes, wipe it up with paper towels, dispose of the waste and disinfect the surrounding surface. Wash gloved hands before removing the gloves, then wash bare hands with soap and warm water.
Heavy contamination may require professional cleanup and additional protective equipment. BLR provides control for mice and rats but does not remove raccoons, squirrels, bats or other nuisance wildlife.