Every homeowner at one point or another has experienced the dread and frustration of feeling invaded and overrun by pests. Many often wonder if “do it yourself” pest control is effective at eliminating the problem or is it just a waste of your time, energy, and resources. From discovering signs of bed bugs, to coming home to a moving mound of ants in your kitchen, let’s talk about the pros and cons of DIY pest control in your home.
Can I Spray My Own House for Bugs?
Yes, you can most certainly control your pest problems involving ants, mosquitoes, bed bugs, roaches, fleas, etc. without hiring a professional pest control company. But, is it smart and safe to spray pesticides and poisons within the walls of your home if you aren’t trained? There isn’t much worse than a bug infestation but there are sprays you can use yourself that may eliminate the problem before calling an exterminator. An effective bug spray may be all that you need to terminate the problem. All you need to do is spray in and around your home to kill the insects and their eggs to get rid of the pests and stop further issues in the future. Be cautious that you allow for plenty of time for the sprayed areas to dry before letting children or pets near. Here is a list of some of our recommended home bug repellents.
- Eco Defense Home Pest Control Spray
This spray is made with safe, all-natural ingredients and works for both indoor and outdoor use. Is effective in killing ants, roaches, spiders, stink bugs, and mites. It’s pet and child safe and works quickly to get the job done.
- Talstar Pro Multi-Use Insecticide
This product is the same insecticide used by professional pest control services. Applying it yourself will save your wallet and hopefully get you the professional results you need. It controls dozens of different kinds of pests. Spiders, fleas, ticks, roaches, mosquitos, millipedes, and earwigs are just a handful of the names on the list.
This product is safe for indoor and outdoor use and will need to be applied for at least three months for full effectiveness. Safe for pets and children once completely dry.
- Orange Guard Home Pest Control Spray
This water-based formula kills ants, roaches, fleas, silverfish, aphids, and others on contact. Apply around the barrier of your home for best protection. It’s safe to use around humans and pets and can be for indoor or outdoor use.
- Raid House and Garden Bug Spray
While Raid has an excellent reputation for killing bugs, it’s hard to know how safe it actually is. But, this house and garden spray by Raid is an ideal solution when you have indoor pests and insects in your garden you need to take care of. This powerful spray won’t harm your plants but will take care of the creepy crawlies feeding on them. Be aware that it shouldn’t be sprayed directly on edible crops.
- MDX Magma Home Pest Control Spray
This spray will protect your home from a large variety of insects. It’s organically based and non-toxic. It also won’t leave any nasty lingering odors when used indoors
- Terro T2302 Spider Killer Aerosol Spray
Strike down even the scariest and most dangerous spiders with this powerful spray. Terro can be sprayed directly on spiders and leaves a long-lasting repellent for up to 12 weeks. Try using it to also eliminate ticks, cockroaches, ants, and even bedbugs. Safe for indoor and outdoor use.
Even after diligently applying these recommended sprays, you still may not be able to completely terminate your insect problem without professional help. For example, you might manage to kill a colony of ants but any survivors will create a new colony that could be immune to the insecticide previously used. Contact your local pest control service in this type of situation.
DIY Pest Control Supply Store
So, where can you find the sprays and supplies for the DIY pest control method? Luckily, there are several online stores that specialize in “do it yourself” pest control. They carry organic, safe, tried, and true products that are shipped right to your door. Also, any of your local box stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot should have a good selection as well.
What Do Pest Control Companies Spray?
Pesticides in the form of sprays are the most effective of the insect treatments available. You call an exterminator when you really need the job done well and fast. So what chemicals are in these powerful insecticides?
1. Pyrethrin and Pyrethroids
These are the active ingredients found in sprays used by experts and only by licensed pest control companies. These chemicals are included in most pesticides and are non-toxic to humans and animals.
2. Piperonyl Butoxide
This highly effective chemical needs to be mixed with other chemicals as it can’t work alone. It can have a mild toxicity on humans and animals if used in high doses so beware of too much exposure. Professional technicians are fully equipped to keep your pets and family safe when applying treatments with this chemical.
3. Fipronil
Fipronil can be used in liquid and powder form to eliminate pests. When applied, fipronil attacks the central nervous system and will end up killing them.
Powerful pest control chemicals are no joke. Before a pest control company sprays, they will measure the perimeter around your house to determine exactly the right amount of chemicals needed for best results and safety.
DIY Home Pest Control Cost vs. Pest Control Service Cost
Cost of Hiring a Pest Control Company
As with any service, prices will vary by location, type, and severity of treatments. Preventative care will typically cost less than dealing with a full-blown infestation.
If you don’t have an infestation but are taking preventative measures, you will spend somewhere in the ballpark of $250-$500 per year. This covers the inspection and maintenance plan. If you are dealing with an infestation, the cost will of course go up as they are harder to treat. Your annual cost will be between $450-$2000 depending on the intensity of the problem. A good, reputable pest control company will offer free initial inspections, have a satisfaction or money-back guarantee, as well as free visits between scheduled appointments if a new problem occurs.
Cost of DIY Pest Control
With a “do it yourself” home pest control approach, the cost of the labor is of course free. But, you’ll have to spend money on costly supplies such as chemical sprayers, insecticides, poisons, traps, etc. And no one can put a
price tag on the value of your time. So keep in mind that the DIY method can be very time-consuming. Not only in the application but also in taking the time to go out and purchase all the necessary supplies. Here is a rundown of what you can expect to pay for supplies:
- Chemical Sprayer
A lowend handheld sprayer will cost around $20 but you could spend as much as $200 for a heavy-duty commercial grade sprayer.
- Insecticide and Poisons
Plan on paying between $25-$100 per container for professional-grade chemicals.
- Safety gear
A full bee suit costs around $200. Goggle, gloves, and a mask will add another $25-$75 depending on the quality.
- Bait and Traps
You’ll spend around $15-$50 on various traps and bait depending on their complexity and quantity.
As you can see, the cost of the DIY method can add up quickly. While hiring a professional pest control service may cost a bit more in the long run, you may compromise on quality by doing it yourself. The convenience, expertise, and safety a professional service provides may be worth your while.
How Often Do I Need Pest Control?
Most things in life need to be done routinely. From washing your car to vacuuming your carpets, you have to stay on top of things for the best results. Pest control is often overlooked until it’s too late and a major infestation has occurred. Scheduling regular pest control treatments throughout the year will ensure your home and yard will be protected. When it comes to regularly scheduled pest control, we suggest having your home treated once a quarter or every two to three months.
Conclusion on Do It Yourself Pest Control
Are you struggling with unwanted pests or rodents? Are you searching for a pest control service that has everything you’re looking for? Contact Vinx Pest Control Services. We have three locations in Dallas, Charleston, and Greenville for your convenience.
We do all we can to hire and train our technicians to be the best at what they do. Knowing how, when, and where to apply the products is how we get such awesome results. We know how to keep your family safe while also quickly getting to the root of your pest issues.