Prep Guide
Residential Visit Prep Checklist
Use this checklist to get your home ready for a Shumaker's residential visit. A few minutes of prep helps your technician inspect, treat, and wrap up faster.
Last updated October 12, 2025
Most relevant for: Residential programs.
Who this helps
- Homeowners, condo owners, and townhome residents scheduling a residential service.
- Renters working with a landlord or property manager.
- Busy families who want the visit to go smoothly around kids and pets.
- Anyone who has not had a professional pest control visit in a while.
When to use it
- The day before your first residential service.
- Before any interior follow-up visit for ants, roaches, or other common pests.
- When you schedule a focused service in kitchens, baths, or bedrooms.
- Anytime you are unsure how to prepare for a technician visit.
Whole home access
Simple steps to give your technician a clear path through the home.
- Pick up items, toys, and clutter along baseboards so walls and flooring are visible.
- Move small furniture or floor items away from walls where you have seen activity.
- Clear under-sink spaces and around plumbing access where pests or moisture have been spotted.
- Make sure interior doors, hallways, and attic or crawl access are unlocked if you expect inspection there.
Kitchen, baths, and living areas
We focus inspection and treatment on moisture and food areas.
- Wipe up standing water around sinks, tubs, and refrigerators.
- Store food, pet dishes, and trash with lids closed where possible.
- Pull lightweight appliances a few inches from the wall if safe so we can inspect behind them.
- Note where you have seen trails, droppings, or other pest activity so you can point them out.
Bedrooms and stored items
A tidy floor helps us inspect without moving your belongings too much.
- Pick up clothing, boxes, and storage bins from the floor near walls and under beds.
- Clear nightstands or dressers where you have noticed pests so we can treat those areas.
- Bag or contain loose items under beds if you expect a focused service for biting pests.
Pets and household schedule
We want your pets and family comfortable while we work.
- Plan a safe room, crate, or off-site location for dogs, cats, and other pets during the visit.
- Put away pet toys, bedding, and food bowls in the spaces being treated.
- Let your technician know about aquariums, reptiles, or sensitive pets before service starts.
- Share any mobility, health, or schedule needs so we can pace the visit around your household.
After your visit and follow-ups
A few small steps after service help the treatment work as designed.
- Avoid mopping or heavy cleaning right along treated baseboards for at least 24 hours unless your technician says otherwise.
- Keep an eye on activity in the days after service and note what you see and where.
- Follow any custom instructions your technician left on the service ticket or starter kit.
- Call dispatch if pests are still active after the suggested window so we can schedule a follow-up.
Tips from dispatch
- Print this checklist or keep it on your phone and review it the day before service.
- Bring any questions about these steps to your technician so you can adjust the plan together.
- If a task on this list is hard for you, tell us. Your technician will work with what you can reasonably do.
Next step
Request this resource
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