Prepare for a Service Visit
Organize evidence, access, and household questions before the provider gives treatment-specific preparation instructions.
Document What You Have Seen
Write down where activity occurs, how often it appears, when it started, and any recent repairs, leaks, landscaping changes, or pesticide use. Photograph visible signs when practical and safe.
Keep a specimen only if it can be handled safely. Do not disturb an active stinging-insect nest or expose yourself to capture an insect.
Confirm the Scope & Access
Ask which rooms, exterior areas, garages, attics, or utility routes the provider needs to inspect. Explain locked gates, pets, occupants, and access limitations before the visit.
Create reasonable access to the agreed areas without moving a suspected infestation through the home. Specialized bed-bug, roach, termite, or rodent work can have different preparation.
Follow Written Instructions
Request the provider’s instructions for people, pets, food, dishes, aquariums, ventilation, and items in the treatment area. Do not assume that every application requires the same preparation.
Generic advice cannot set a re-entry time or approve a product use. The actual label and treatment instructions control. See Safety.
Avoid Changes That Complicate Diagnosis
Tell the provider about products already applied. Ask before spraying over bait placements, sealing a suspected active rodent route, or disturbing monitoring equipment.
For uncertainty about identification or sequencing, read Pest Inspection and Rodent Exclusion.
Before the Technician Leaves
Obtain the work record, preparation or re-entry instructions, conditions to correct, monitoring expectations, and the next contact point. Confirm how fresh activity should be reported.
Continue with After-Treatment Care and Coverage & Follow-Up.