Before treatment, which precaution must be taken for the area to be treated in non-residential public buildings?

• A. The area to be treated must be evacuated.
• B. The area needs to be inspected for pest evidence.
• C. The area must be repainted.
• D. The area must be disinfected.

Answer: (A)

The main safety move is to evacuate the area. Pesticide applications carry exposure risks to people in the space, so removing occupants during the treatment (and until it’s safe to re-enter per the product label) protects workers and the public from inhalation or skin contact. After evacuation, signs are typically posted and entry is restricted as required. While checking for pest evidence is part of planning, and repainting or disinfecting may be appropriate for other reasons, they aren’t the precaution needed to protect people during the treatment itself.