Prep Guides
Proper preparation is essential for effective pest control. Review pest-type guidance below, then download the prep sheet that matches your scheduled treatment.
Prep by pest type
Each pest hides differently. Use the segment that matches your booking, then grab the PDF below. For pricing and what to expect on visit day, see our Ontario pest control pricing guide or book a visit.
Bed Bugs
Bed bug treatment reaches mattresses, box springs, baseboards, and furniture cracks. Clearing clutter, laundering bedding, and moving items away from walls lets the technician steam, spray, and dust every harbourage zone in your Toronto or GTA home.
If prep is skipped: Missed harbourage means live bugs survive the first visit. That often leads to a second treatment, longer disruption, and higher total cost.
Cockroaches
German cockroaches hide in warm, tight spaces — under sinks, behind appliances, inside cabinets. Kitchen prep (emptying cabinets, clearing counters, pulling appliances slightly forward) gives Sterex technicians direct access to cracks and harbourage before spray or bait work.
If prep is skipped: Products cannot reach hidden roaches when cabinets stay packed or appliances are flush against walls. Activity often rebounds within days, especially in condos and multi-unit buildings.
Ants
Ant treatments target trails, entry points, and nesting zones. Clearing food sources, wiping sticky residues, and noting where ants appear helps the technician place bait or spray where carpenter, pavement, or pharaoh ants actually travel.
If prep is skipped: Competing food sources and blocked access reduce bait uptake. Carpenter ant jobs may need a repeat visit if voids and moisture zones stay inaccessible.
Rodents (Mice & Rats)
Rodent control combines inspection, bait station placement, and exclusion. Clearing storage along walls, noting droppings locations, and securing pet food lets technicians identify entry points and place stations where mice and rats actually run.
If prep is skipped: Cluttered basements and garages hide gnaw marks and gaps. Without access, stations sit in low-traffic spots and activity continues through fall and winter.
Download prep sheets
Printable checklists for your scheduled Sterex treatment. More guides for termites, rodents, and general spray are coming soon.
Ant Spray Prep (Carpenter Ants)
Preparation for ant spray services. Use this sheet for carpenter ant treatments and other ant spray visits.
Termite Treatment Prep
How to prepare your property before termite inspection and treatment. Printable prep sheet — coming soon.
Rodent Control Prep
Steps to prepare for mice and rat control so technicians can access problem areas safely. Printable prep sheet — coming soon.
General Spray Prep
Broad guidelines for interior and exterior spray treatments across common household pests. Printable prep sheet — coming soon.
Common prep questions
Why is prep important before pest treatment?
Prep clears access to harbourage areas — cracks, baseboards, cabinets, mattresses, and wall voids — so licensed products reach pests where they hide. Good preparation improves first-visit results and reduces the need for repeat treatments across Toronto and the GTA.
What happens if I skip prep steps?
Skipped prep limits where technicians can treat. Bed bugs and cockroaches often survive in untouched zones, which can mean a second visit, longer downtime, and higher total cost. Sterex sends prep instructions before your appointment so you know exactly what to do.
Do I need to leave my home during treatment?
It depends on the pest and product. Many ant and rodent visits allow you to stay home. Cockroach spray usually requires vacating for 2–4 hours. Bed bug treatment needs several hours away plus full prep completion. Sterex confirms re-entry timing when you book.
Which prep sheet should I use?
Match the sheet to your scheduled service: bed bug prep for bed bug treatments, cockroach prep for kitchen roach work, carpenter ant prep for ant spray visits. Rodent and general spray sheets are coming soon — call 289-210-7378 if you need verbal guidance before your visit.
Where can I book service or ask prep questions?
Book online at sterex.ca/book-now or call 289-210-7378. Our team walks through prep steps for your pest type, property layout, and treatment plan before the technician arrives.
