Clear floor areas near baseboards, especially where insects or rodents have been spotted. Move furniture away from walls, about a metre if possible. This gives the technician enough room to treat cracks, gaps, or any harbourage points.
Empty kitchen and bathroom cabinets if they’re going to be sprayed. Yes, it’s a hassle, but any chemical residue near food or personal items isn’t ideal. Wrap or remove dishes, cutlery, toothbrushes–anything you’d prefer not to rinse later. I once skipped this step and regretted it halfway through cleaning out a sticky residue from a spice rack. Never again.
Make sure pets are out of the way–completely out of the building if instructed. That includes aquariums. Cover them or shut off the air pump if needed. And don’t forget about dog bowls or litter boxes; they can collect treatment chemicals if left behind. You’d be surprised how often those are overlooked.
Finally, double-check access points like the attic hatch, basement door, or crawlspace entrance. Technicians might need to get into tight corners. If it’s blocked by storage bins or a laundry pile (I’ve done it too), it delays the whole process.
What to Remove or Cover Before the Exterminator Arrives
Move all food items out of lower cupboards and countertops, especially if the kitchen is being treated. Anything edible–canned goods excluded–should be sealed in containers or temporarily stored outside the unit. If there are pet bowls, water dishes, or indoor plants nearby, relocate them as well. These items can absorb chemicals or attract bugs back during treatment, which defeats the whole purpose.
Clothing in lower drawers or closets close to the floor should also be packed away or placed in sealed plastic bags. Chemicals can settle, even if the space doesn’t seem like a target area. Some technicians might say it’s unnecessary, but I’ve seen people end up rewashing everything “just in case.” Probably easier to protect it up front.
If there’s a crib, cover the mattress fully in a plastic wrap. Same with pillows, blankets, or any bedding that can’t be removed. Fabric absorbs spray, and even if the product label says it’s “safe once dry,” not everyone’s comfortable sleeping on it the same night. You might not be either.
Electronics–like gaming consoles, routers, or speakers–don’t usually need to be moved unless they’re sitting right on the floor or under vents. But if the technician is fogging or using a broad-spray method, a light cover with a towel or plastic sheet doesn’t hurt.
Lastly, check with your landlord or property manager if you’re unsure about access or responsibilities. Some buildings in Calgary have their own rules around what tenants need to prep. This article covers part of that issue: Are property owners responsible for pest control in Calgary?. Not everyone reads the fine print in their lease, and it can catch people off guard.
How to Prepare Specific Rooms Like Kitchens and Bedrooms
Clear out every lower cabinet in the kitchen–especially under the sink. Most treatments involve targeting damp zones, and plumbers often leave gaps around piping. If you’ve got cleaning products, food containers, or extra sponges tucked in there, get them out. The crew needs full access without moving things themselves. Same goes for behind and under appliances like the stove and fridge, if it’s safe to shift them a bit. Any open food? Seal it tight or store it off-site. Even sealed boxes can attract ants or mice, so err on the side of caution.
On the counter, remove anything you regularly touch–cutting boards, utensils, kettles. Treatments can leave light residues or vapours that linger for hours. If you’re not sure whether to leave something out, just assume it should go in a box for now. Also, check the top of your cabinets. A surprising number of spiders and silverfish hang out up there, and if it’s covered in cookbooks or cereal boxes, it won’t get treated properly.
In the bedroom, focus on baseboards, closets, and under furniture. Strip the bed down to the bare mattress and bag up all linens. Most teams won’t touch personal items, so the more you relocate, the more thorough the application. Closets should be thinned out–especially if you’ve seen bugs near shoes or hampers. Just a few items pulled forward or set aside can make a big difference.
If you’ve seen anything crawling near the headboard or nightstands, unplug electronics and shift them slightly. Those tiny cracks behind furniture? That’s where bugs love to settle in. And if you’re wondering whether to empty dresser drawers–only if you’ve had activity inside them. Otherwise, it’s usually fine to leave clothes where they are, as long as access to the wall is clear.
And if you’re in a multi-unit building, or renting, it’s worth checking this: Are property owners responsible for pest control in Calgary? It might influence how much of this prep falls on you, versus the landlord or manager.
Safety Measures for Pets, Children, and Sensitive Items
Keep pets, especially birds, reptiles, and small mammals, far away from treated zones–ideally, out of the house entirely for 4 to 6 hours. Fish tanks must be covered tightly and filters turned off. Cats and dogs should be removed or confined to a non-treatment area with proper ventilation. If unsure whether a product could affect an exotic pet, err on the side of caution and speak with the technician directly or check fliphtml5.com about The Pest Control Guy for general guidance.
Children’s toys, bottles, bedding, and food containers should all be boxed and stored in a room that won’t be treated. Wipe down any reachable surfaces they use frequently–crib bars, toy bins, floor mats–once technicians are done and before letting them back into that space. Honestly, anything a toddler might lick, chew, or crawl over needs either a cover or temporary relocation.
What to Move or Seal
- Cover all open food and kitchen tools, even if they’re stored inside cupboards.
- Relocate pet food, water bowls, and litter boxes. Wait until floors are dry before putting them back.
- Remove diapers, cloths, and personal hygiene items from bathrooms and nurseries.
- Double-bag baby formula and store it outside treated areas–same goes for breast pump parts.
Not All Items React the Same
Some materials absorb chemical residue more easily–like unvarnished wood or fabric. That old rocking chair in the nursery? Might need a wipe-down or even temporary removal. Electronics don’t usually need special handling unless you’re fogging, but make sure vents on consoles or desktop towers aren’t facing treated baseboards.
If any of this sounds a bit overwhelming, it helps to see how others have handled similar situations. One technician shared a quick checklist on The Pest Control Guy on landgrantholyland.com–worth a glance if you’re second-guessing whether that air purifier on the floor is fine where it is (spoiler: it’s not).
Q&A:
Do I need to leave my home during a pest control treatment?
It depends on the type of treatment and the products used. For most standard applications, especially when using low-toxicity or targeted insecticides, residents can usually stay in the home—though it’s advised to vacate treated areas for a few hours. However, if the treatment involves fumigation, fogging, or heavy spraying, it’s safer to leave the property temporarily. Your technician should inform you in advance about any required absence and the exact re-entry time.
How should I prepare my kitchen before the pest control technician arrives?
Remove all food items from countertops and open shelves, and store them in sealed containers or the refrigerator. Empty cabinets and drawers near affected areas if requested by the pest technician. Small appliances should be unplugged and moved away from walls. Cover or remove dishes, utensils, and pet food bowls. This allows better access for the technician and prevents contamination of food-related surfaces.
What should I do with my pets during the visit?
Pets, especially birds, cats, and dogs, should be relocated to a safe space away from treated zones. If possible, have them stay with a friend or in a separate room with proper ventilation and closed doors until it’s safe to return. Fish tanks must be covered tightly, and their air pumps turned off during spraying. Always check with the technician for species-specific precautions.
Is there anything I need to do after the pest control treatment is finished?
Yes. Once you’re allowed back in, ventilate treated areas by opening windows and doors. Avoid cleaning treated surfaces for at least 24 hours unless otherwise advised, as this can reduce the effectiveness of the product. Wipe down exposed kitchen surfaces, return food items to shelves, and wash any items that may have been accidentally exposed. Continue monitoring for pest activity and report anything unusual to your provider.