What Is a General Pest Control Service and Do I Need One?

A general pest control service is one of the most effective ways to reduce or eliminate common insects and bugs in and around your property.

It’s recommended to schedule a treatment for your home or commercial space every 6 to 12 months, as the chemical is most effective during the first 12 to 16 weeks after application.

You can find full pricing details for our services on our pest control pricing page

Top Questions About General Pest Control (Answered by So Pest Off Experts)

1. Why Don’t You Treat the Roof Void?

Roof dusting was once common, but it’s no longer considered best practice.
At So Pest Off, we prioritise safety and effectiveness. Instead of dusting roof voids, we apply dust externally through weep holes, targeting wall cavities where pests actually live.

In rare cases, such as severe infestations or inaccessible wall cavities, roof dusting may still be used with strict safety precautions.
Read our full guide on Roof Dusting & Why We Limit It

2. How Often Should I Get a General Pest Control Treatment?

Most modern insecticides provide protection for 1–3 months under normal conditions.
By six months, that protection fades due to sunlight, rain, cleaning, and environmental exposure.

We recommend:
Every 6 months for standard homes
Every 3–4 months for high-risk or high-traffic properties (food prep areas, humid zones, or heavy pest activity)

Regular treatments ensure barriers remain strong and prevent breeding cycles from re-establishing.

3. Why Don’t Sprays Always Kill Spiders Instantly?

Spiders behave differently from insects. They don’t groom themselves or ingest chemical residues like ants and cockroaches do.
This is how Pest Control helps in other ways:

• Reduce spider food sources (like flies and ants)
• Create deterrent barriers around entry points
• Kill spiders that walk across treated surfaces (though not instantly)

Read more about spiders in our Spider Control Guide

4. Why Is an External-Only Treatment Sometimes Recommended?

Many homes experience little to no pest activity indoors.
In those cases, treating the exterior is often the most effective and healthiest option.
External-only treatments:

• Build a protective barrier that stops pests before they enter
• Reduce indoor chemical use
• Are faster and more cost-effective

If pests are seen inside afterward, they’ve usually crossed through the external barrier and will die shortly after exposure.

5. Why Do I Still See Pests After a Treatment?

It’s normal to see pest activity after a service — it means the treatment is working.
Modern formulations are safe for people and pets, so they’re designed for gradual control, not instant kill.

Pests emerge as they’re affected by the treatment and may take a few days to die.
Within 1–2 weeks, you’ll notice a significant reduction in activity.

6. Why Don’t You Use “More Chemical” for Better Results?

Professional pest control relies on science, not volume.
Applying too much product can actually repel pests and reduce results.

We use targeted application methods, including baiting, dusting, and precision spraying. This delivers effective, long-lasting protection safely and efficiently.

7. Why Can’t Pest Control Eliminate Every Insect Forever?

Even with professional treatment, insects can still enter from gardens, neighbouring properties, or deliveries. Pest control is about long-term management and prevention, not permanent eradication.

Regular maintenance treatments ensure that any new pest activity is quickly eliminated before it becomes a problem.

8.What Affects How Long a Pest Control Treatment Lasts?

Several external factors can reduce the longevity of your pest control treatment, including:

• Extreme heat
• Heavy rain or flooding
• Fires or smoke exposure
• Renovations or disturbance of treated surfaces

If any of these occur, you may require a touch-up or an earlier reapplication.

Is General Pest Control Safe?

Yes! Our general pest control treatments are safe, family-friendly, and meet Australian safety standards.

While you don’t need to do extensive preparation, we recommend clearing loose items that may block access to skirting boards and other key areas.

At So Pest Off, all chemicals we use are AEPMA-approved and compliant with Australian Standards, ensuring they are not harmful to humans when applied correctly.

As a precaution, we advise that young children and pets leave the property for about one hour post-treatment to allow the product to dry fully.

Post-Treatment Cleaning Recommendations

To maintain the full effectiveness of your pest control:

• Avoid cleaning or mopping floors for 7 to 14 days after the treatment.
• Allow external chemicals to remain on walls and window frames for as long as possible.
• You can clean external windows after 24 hours, but do not hose them down — use a squeegee or paper towels with Windex instead.

How Is the Treatment Applied?

Every general pest control begins with an initial assessment by a licensed So Pest Off technician.
This pre-inspection identifies specific pest issues and helps determine which methods will deliver the most effective results for your property.

Areas We Treat:

• Inside the home: Skirting boards, cupboard hinges (for German cockroaches), and cornices where needed.
• Outside the home: Property perimeter, external door and window frames, and under the eaves of the first storey.
• Additional areas: Garage, sheds, kids’ cubby houses, and outdoor play spaces.

Please note: We do not treat roof voids, as this is not recommended for health and safety reasons and we have an article on why we dont

Pests Targeted by Our General Pest Control

Our general pest treatment provides strong protection against:

• Webbing spiders
• Black surface ants
• Australian and American cockroaches
• Silverfish
• European wasps
• Household flies
• Fleas and ticks

Each treatment is designed for maximum impact, helping prevent these pests from returning and disrupting your home or workplace.

Is There a Warranty on General Pest Control?

Yes! We provide a 12-week warranty on general pest control services for any infestation that reappears after four weeks of the initial treatment.

Please note that spiders are excluded from warranty. Spiders do not carry any warranty as they are driven by external factors, and they are needed to walk on the chemical, take it back to their nest/web for it to impact them.
If needed, we can perform a spot treatment for affected areas to ensure complete control.

Keep Your Home Pest-Free with So Pest Off

A regular general pest control treatment is one of the best ways to protect your property and your peace of mind.
At So Pest Off, we deliver professional, safe, and effective pest management across Sydney — keeping homes, businesses, and strata properties pest-free all year round.

Book your next treatment today and experience the So Pest Off difference.