What to Expect on Your First Pest Control Visit

Your first pest control visit is the most thorough one you'll get. The tech treats inside and out, knocks down webs and wasp nests, and looks for the ways bugs are getting in. Plan to be home for the inside, expect it to take longer than a regular visit, and don't be surprised if you see more bugs for a week or two afterward. That's the treatment working.

Here's the whole thing, start to finish.

Before we come

You'll get reminder texts and emails starting five days before your visit. Need a different day? Reply to the reminder or call, with at least 24 hours' notice.

To get ready:

• Clear a path to baseboards in the kitchen, bathrooms and basement
• Clear out under the kitchen and bathroom sinks if you can
• Put pets somewhere comfortable while we treat inside
• Make a note of where you've been seeing activity, and tell your tech

Please allow a 15-minute window on either side of your appointment, since your tech may be coming straight from another home. We always knock before starting.

Inside

The inside treatment focuses on where bugs hide and travel:

• Baseboards and corners in the main rooms
• Kitchens and bathrooms, including under sinks and around plumbing
• The basement and garage
• Crack and crevice treatment in the gaps and voids pests use

Outside

Outside is where most of the protection happens:

• A barrier around the foundation
• Doors, windows and other entry points
• Eaves, where webs come down and wasp nests are removed
• The garage door and anywhere pests are getting in

The inspection

While we treat, we're looking for how pests are getting in: gaps around pipes and utility lines, worn door sweeps, damp spots that attract them. Your tech will point out anything worth fixing. It's the cheapest pest control there is.

After the visit

Keep kids and pets off treated areas until they're dry, usually about 30 minutes.

For the first one to two weeks, you may see more bugs than usual. That's normal. The treatment draws them out of hiding, and most are gone within 10 to 14 days. Rain is fine, too. The products are made to work through light to moderate rain.

What happens next

On our Home Shield plan, we book your next visit automatically, every 90 days, and text you before we come. If covered pests come back between visits, call or text and we come back free.

What it costs

Most homes pay $175 for the first visit. It's normally $275, and new quarterly customers get $100 off. After that, Home Shield is $45 a month for most homes, billed monthly, with no contract. See Home Shield and pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be home for the first visit?

Yes, for the inside treatment. After that, most visits are outside, so you don't need to be home unless you want the inside done.

How long does the first visit take?

Longer than a regular visit, because we treat inside and out and inspect the whole house.

Why am I seeing more bugs after treatment?

The treatment draws them out of hiding. It's normal for 1 to 2 weeks, and most are gone within 10 to 14 days.

Is it safe for kids and pets?

Yes, once it's dry, usually about 30 minutes.

What if it rains after my treatment?

No problem. Our products are made to work in light to moderate rain. We only reschedule if the weather truly calls for it.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote or call (314) 912-2929.