When store-bought products work and when they fall short
When faced with bugs crawling around your house, most homeowners grab a spray bottle or set a trap.
DIY pest control can seem quick and inexpensive when an infestation is small. However, most pests require more than over-the-counter sprays to be fully eliminated.
Instead of killing bugs quickly, you may end up wasting money on products that cannot reach pests hiding in walls. Many DIY pest control efforts fail to fix entry points, so insects return repeatedly.
Do you know the difference between DIY pest control and professional services? Keep reading to learn when it’s worth spending your time and money on do-it-yourself approaches and when to contact a professional pest control expert.
DIY pest control solutions are attractive because they seem convenient and inexpensive. Most hardware stores sell dozens of sprays, baits, traps, and repellents that claim to offer fast relief for common pests like ants, roaches, spiders, rodents, and more.
Sprays and traps may eliminate bugs for a short time if the issue is minor or isolated. Prevention methods like caulking cracks, removing standing water, cleaning up food, and using traps can help all homeowners.
Homeowners can also use DIY treatments right away instead of waiting on service appointments or bills.
While DIY methods are helpful in certain situations, they often offer only temporary relief. Many homemade pest control methods kill only the insects you see instead of tackling the real cause.
You may notice one infected cockroach crawling across your kitchen floor, but hundreds of others may be hiding inside walls or under cabinets. It’s common for pests to build nests inside areas of your home most homeowners can’t easily reach.
Spraying the same area over and over may kill bugs for several days, but it won’t stop them from coming back. In addition, as you continue to try DIY methods, the infestation will become larger and cause more damage to your home.
Eventually, you could spend more time and money trying DIY treatments than you would if you hired a professional pest control company.
Pesticides can cause health risks to your family if not used properly. Using too much pesticide, mixing pesticides with other chemicals, or spraying too close to food can put pets and children at risk.
In addition, many pests develop immunity to DIY chemicals over time, making them useless with repeated applications.
Misuse of pest control products can cause pest problems to spread. Bed bugs, for example, can distribute throughout your entire home if DIY treatments are not thorough.
Professional pest control examines the cause of your pest problem instead of simply killing the bugs that you see.
Certified pest technicians perform a thorough inspection of your home. Once identifying where pests are entering your home and nesting, professionals can treat the entire problem instead of just the symptoms.
Technicians use professional-grade tools and medications that are not available to the general public. Most companies offer customized plans depending on the pest type, how severe the problem is, and the layout of your home.
Professional pest control services may include:
Visit Bug Killers To learn more about what to expect from professional pest control services.
Prevention is one of the many benefits of professional pest control. Not only does professional treatment kill existing pests, but it also helps prevent future problems.
Wouldn’t you rather prevent pests from entering your home in the first place? Professional services help by sealing entry points, identifying moisture issues, applying preventative treatments, and monitoring pest activity year-round.
Sprays and traps are cheap, so most homeowners think of DIY pest control as cost-effective. However, when you factor in the months of lost time and hidden damage to your home, professional services are often less expensive.
Termites can go undetected while eating through support beams or even steel beams. Rodents love to chew on wires and insulation, which can lead to even more costly problems.
You may pay more money upfront for professional pest control, but the treatment is typically worth every cent. You aren’t just paying for the service; you are paying for peace of mind.
Professional technicians provide:
For many homeowners, professional pest control costs less over time.
There are times when DIY pest control is enough. For example, if you notice one cockroach in your kitchen or a few ants entering from the outside, you may be able to control them on your own.
Ants are often attracted to homes during wet weather conditions. Keep spiders outside by sealing cracks and using preventive maintenance like fixing leaky pipes and storing food in sealed containers.
Whenever possible, try to catch infestations as early as possible and keep pest populations to a minimum. DIY methods can help you control these small problems.
Certain pests need to be dealt with immediately. Termites, carpenter ants, rodents, bed bugs, wasps, and cockroaches can pose health risks to you and your family.
If you have tried DIY pest control methods and notice the pests are still there, it’s time to hire professional help. Once pests have spread into your walls, floors, and ceilings it is almost impossible for an amateur to fully kill all of the bugs.
If you see any evidence of pests such as droppings, damaged wood, foul odors, scratching sounds in walls, or roaches during the day it’s time to call pest control.
Professional pest control is recommended when your home and family’s health are at risk.
Unless you catch an infestation early, DIY pest control does more harm than good. Yes, you can kill most visible bugs crawling around your home. However, you won’t fix the source of the problem, or keep pests from returning.
Professional pest control companies take the time needed to ensure your entire home is pest-free. Instead of guessing about what products to use, let a certified professional help you say goodbye to pests for good.
Homeowners should use DIY methods for prevention and spotting small pest issues. However, when insects and bugs enter your house in great numbers, it’s time to hire a professional pest control company.
Did we answer all of your pest control questions? Let us know below!
Can I DIY all pest control problems?
No. Unless you catch an infestation early on, most pests require professional treatment.
Why do I still see pests after DIY treatments?
Most DIY treatments don’t fix entry points or kill hidden pests like eggs and nests.
Will professional pest control use dangerous chemicals?
Professional pest control technicians take your family’s safety into consideration when treating your home. Learn more about pesticide safety.
How much does pest control cost?
The price of pest control depends on the size of your home and what type of pests you have. Most exterminators offer affordable prices that prevent further repairs and damage.
Can I DIY pest control and still hire professionals?
Yes! In fact, we recommend it. Keep reading to learn easy DIY pest control tips you can do today.
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