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.

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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.

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Looking to do your own pest control? There are plenty of situations where it may be a good idea to try and fix the problem yourself. And other times? It’s best to leave it up to a reputable pest control company. It can be tempting to go to the store and buy some product, hoping that it will work to eliminate the pests that you’re dealing with. And sometimes, it might. Or, it will for a little while. But then there are some bugs that you can’t deal with alone.

So, when do you know what to do? Read our guide to figure out when you should try your hand at keeping the bugs away and when you should call in the big guns.

When you should: The problem just started

Are you seeing a bug or two around your window? Sometimes, like when the weather changes or you have a big rainstorm, bugs can be stirred up for a while. They may appear overnight, and they can also disappear quickly if you treat them. If you’re seeing a few spiders, you don’t have to worry about them suddenly infesting your home. Try getting rid of common pests, like spiders or ants, if they appeared after a storm.

When you shouldn’t: It’s reoccurring

If the problem only happens once, then it’s not a big deal. However, if you’re seeing multiple occurrences of ants and spiders, bees and wasps, or hearing rodents in your walls, it’s time to call a pest control company. And, if you’re not comfortable with doing your own pest control for these common bugs and rodents, you should call an exterminator.

When you should: The pest isn’t dangerous

Seeing small house spiders or sugar ants? Having an abundance of grasshoppers or crickets? Maybe the beetles are getting you down? When a pest isn’t dangerous, you can try getting rid of it yourself. Though these bugs are annoying, they aren’t going to cause lasting harm.

When you shouldn’t: The pest can cause harm

Some pests shouldn’t be dealt with. If you have a ton of mosquitoes in your yard, you need help. They can carry harmful diseases, like West Nile, and it’s important to get rid of them. If you’re seeing black widows or brown recluse spiders, it’s imperative to get the best exterminator to come out and get rid of them. Even rodents, like rats, can carry harmful diseases, so you’ll want to call if you are having an infestation of any of these pests.

When you should: The bug is easy to kill

Some bugs don’t take too much product to get rid of them. If you have some ants in your home, a few traps may help get rid of them for you. And keeping your house clutter-free and clean may keep spiders at bay. Simple prevention tips, like removing standing water and woodpiles, can eliminate many bugs. When you’re dealing with common pests, they can be easy to kill.

When you shouldn’t: You’re dealing with cockroaches, termites, or bed bugs

The three hardest bugs to kill are cockroaches, termites, and bed bugs. If you’re seeing any of these in your home, it’s time to call an exterminator immediately. These pests are ones that shouldn’t be messed with. Bed bugs can cause itchy bites that cause welts and allergies. They’re also notoriously hard to get rid of. Without a heat and liquid treatment, chances are, they won’t go away.

Cockroaches are also hard to get rid of. They usually take multiple treatments to kill, and since they multiply so fast, you can have a serious problem on your hands. And termites can cause major damage to your home. You want to protect your largest investment, and doing so means hiring the best pest control company.

Doing Your Own Pest Control Tips

If you want to try your hand at doing your own pest control, keep these tips in mind:

• Go through your home and find vulnerable spots for pests. This can include trash cans that aren’t properly closed and stored, pet food that is lying open, food not being in airtight containers, or crumbs sitting in the cracks of your floor.
• Eliminate standing water in the backyard because that attracts many bugs, including mosquitoes.
• Vacuum your home regularly to keep cobwebs and spiders away.
• Fix any leaks in your pipes because this often attracts cockroaches.
• Get regular pest control inspections to ensure you don’t have termites.

Why You Should Hire A Pest Control Company

If you’re seeing pests frequently, it may not be worth it to do your own pest control. This is because it can take longer, isn’t as effective, and can leave your home with damage or your family vulnerable. 

Licensed exterminators use professional-grade products that aren’t available in stores. It’s stronger, safer, and better equipped to handle the problems that you’re dealing with. By the time you invest in many DIY pest control methods, you’ll have spent just as much as hiring a good exterminator. Plus, many people are uncomfortable with handling pests on their own, and a pest control company can do it for them.

Hiring A Local Pest Control Company Near You

If you’re located in Dallas, Texas or Charleston, South Carolina, Vinx Pest Control is here to help. As an award-winning extermination company, we are licensed to deal with all pests–both common bugs and rodents or hard to deal with cockroaches, bed bugs, and termites. 

We’re located right in Richardson, off of I-635 in Dallas. If you’re dealing with tons of bugs from the heat and humidity of Dallas, our top-rated exterminators can get rid of them. Whether you’re nearby Lake Ray Hubbard and swarmed with mosquitoes or near the DFW Airport in Coppell and hearing rodents in the walls, we’ll inspect, treat, and fix the problems that you’re seeing.

In Charleston, we’re located right off of Highway 526 and US Route 78. With ocean breezes bringing in tons of pests with it, you need an experienced Charleston pest control company to deal with them all. We’re here to make your life easier!

Give us a call today or fill out our form for a free quote today. 

No one likes doing the dishes, but you know what’s even worse? Doing the dishes when you also have drain flies! Drain flies are little gnats or moths, and they hang out around your drains for the moisture and nourishment they provide. While drain flies are not harmful to you, they are annoying. To get rid of them, you’ll need to clean and sanitize the drain, getting rid of their eggs and the flies themselves. If you need help getting rid of drain flies you can see our pricing here.

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How To Get Rid Of Roaches

But sometimes, it can feel impossible to get rid of them! These drain flies reproduce extremely fast, so before you know it, you’re practically a drain fly hotel. Let’s talk a bit more about what drain flies are and how to stop them from reproducing in your home. 

If you have a problem with pests at your home or business, we can help. While our HQ is in Dallas TX, we also have locations in the Charleston SC, and Greenville SC areas including Spartanburg. We also serve Sulphur Springs TX.

What are drain flies?

Drain flies are little bugs that hang out around your drain. But, they go by many names. Some people call them moth flies, sewer flies, filter flies, and even fruit flies. However, they are much different than fruit flies. Though they can look similar, drain flies hang out around your drain and look a bit more like moths rather than flies.

Drain flies are true flies, but they are extremely tiny. At just about 1/8th inch, they can be hard to see if there is only one or two of them. But as they begin to reproduce and hang out around your sinks, you’ll notice them.

The flies lay their eggs in your drain and overflow pipes. This can be any pipe, but you’re most likely to see them in your kitchen sink because they feed off of the sewage and fermented food that hangs out there. However, it’s not unheard of to see them in your bathrooms as well.

What do drain flies look like?

While drain flies are flies, they look a lot like moths. Most of the time these flies are black and brown. They have wings that spread out like moth’s wings and have thin veins on their furry wings. On their heads is a tuft of fur, and they have long antennae that look feathery or striped. Their defining characteristics are:

• Small body at 1/8th inch
• Black or brown
• Striped wings with thin, straight veins
• Moth-like wings spread out
• Tuft of fur on their head
• Straight, feather-like antennae on their heads

What causes drain flies?

Drain flies love the humidity, so you’ll often find them if you live in a humid environment. On top of that, they love being in drains that are contaminated with sewage. This may be your kitchen sink, sewer, septic tank, or even soil. 

When a sink is left alone or not properly sanitized, there can be sewage that is contaminating it. Because drain flies like the left behind fermented sewage, they fly around the drains and eat at it. Then, they reproduce. Unfortunately, they are extremely fast with reproducing. They lay their eggs within two days of being born themselves, and they lay 30 to 100 eggs at a time.

Before you know it, you could have thousands of drain flies in your home, and it can be really difficult to get rid of them. You need to use your sinks and properly sanitize them to prevent drain flies from coming around.

Do drain flies bite?

Drain flies do not bite. Biting or not, no one likes to have bugs in their house. While drain flies are definitely a nuisance, they aren’t going to bite you like some other flies or other flying bugs that you may have.

Are drain flies harmful?

Surely, any bug eating sewage cannot be good, right? Well, as annoying as drain flies are, and as gross as their diets may be, they aren’t harmful to us. There are no cases of drain flies harming humans or causing any illnesses or diseases, so you don’t have to worry about that! Still, they are annoying and may cause you to be frustrated.

How to get rid of drain flies

Thankfully, there are five ways you can get rid of drain flies naturally. These DIY methods to get rid of drain flies can help you stop the reproductive cycle, which will help cut down on the number that you see. If you catch the problem early enough, they can be pretty easy to get rid of. 

• Pipe brush: Use a pipe brush to brush the pipe as far as you can go. Brushing the pipe dislodges the eggs and larvae from the pipe. Then, flush the pipe with boiling water and sanitize the pipe brush so you don’t unknowingly keep larvae around.
• Traps: You can also use a trap with sugar, water, vinegar, and dish soap. Put equal parts of water, sugar, and white vinegar. Then, put a couple of drops of dish soap in there as well. The flies are often drawn to the smell of this soap and then end up in the water.
• Boiling water: Boiling water can kill the larvae, but it won’t do much for the flies already flying about. Twice a week, pour a pot of boiling water down your drain to dislodge and remove any larvae and eggs.
• Salt and baking soda: Using ½ cup of salt and a ½ cup of baking soda, sprinkle it in your sink and down the drain. Once you’ve done that, pour a cup of vinegar down the drain. It may fizzle and foam, so be sure your sink or pipe has enough room to let out this excess. Let it keep foaming overnight, then pour boiling water down it in the morning.
• Apple cider vinegar: For flies already in your home, use apple cider vinegar in a bowl. Pour as much as you want into a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Then, poke a few small holes in the plastic wrap. This will trap the flies.

Call a Professional

Many times, drain flies can be hard to get rid of because they reproduce so quickly. If you seem to try all of the DIY methods and don’t seem to get anywhere, you’re not alone. In that case, it may be time to call a professional. An exterminator knows exactly what needs to be done to stop the reproductive cycle of the drain flies. They have better treatments that work immediately, and the problem will be gone much quicker.

While drain flies may not be harmful to your health, they can cause a general feeling of sickness. No one wants bugs flying around their home, dishes, and food—especially not bugs that eat sewage. To get rid of them quickly and efficiently, call an exterminator and tell them what you’re dealing with.

Conclusion: How to get rid of drain flies

If you’re in the Dallas – Fort Worth areas, you’re not alone. The last thing you want to find while you’re heading out the door to the Rangers Stadium or the Star is a bunch of weird-looking moths. Save yourself the time and trouble by calling Vinx Pest Control.

We’re a locally owned and operated company that knows how to deal with the local bugs—including drain flies! Give us a call today to tell us what you’re dealing with. We’re so confident that we can help that we guarantee our service, so we’ll keep working until we’ve got it handled! With over 200 Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating, you can rest assured we’ll get the job done right!

Still Seeing Pests After Pest Control?

We get asked how to get rid of carpenter bees all the time, and it’s a common problem in the Dallas area. When it comes to getting rid of carpenter bees, you need to use an insecticide and cover up the holes that they used for nesting. There are some natural ways to get rid of carpenter bees as well, but these pests can be hard to get rid of, and most times, they require an insecticide. 

If you’re dealing with carpenter bees, don’t get too overwhelmed. The good news is that carpenter bees are generally harmless to you. The bad news is that they aren’t harmless to your wood. They can cause a lot of damage, so getting rid of carpenter bees as quickly as possible is important!

Carpenter Bee vs Bumble Bee

Bees buzz, and when we hear that telltale sign, we’re often swatting and running as quickly as possible. However, if you took a moment to see what kind of bee you’re dealing with, you may not have to try and challenge Usain Bolt’s world record. 

Bumblebees are hairy, and their abdomen has black and yellow on it. However, carpenter bees have a bare, shiny black abdomen. The problem with carpenter bees is that they can look a little scary. They like to fly in a diving or chasing pattern, and you may think that they are coming after you. Chances are, they’re just doing what carpenter bees do—fly! 

Here’s the definitive list to see what bee you’re dealing with:

Bumble bees:

• Hairy, black, and yellow
• Often nest with others
• Fly in a straight, non-erratic style

Carpenter bees:

• Shiny, black abdomen
• Solitary bees and are often alone
• Dive or chase flying pattern

Do carpenter bees sting?

The real question is, do carpenter bees sting? Well, the good news is that they don’t usually sting. In fact, most people have never heard of someone being stung by a carpenter bee. That being said, it’s not impossible. It’s very possible to be stung by a carpenter bee as females do possess a stinger. They will only sting when seriously provoked, so chances are you won’t be stung.

However, bumble bees do sting. They like to defend their nests because they are vulnerable. Since carpenter bees lay eggs inside of wood, their nest is not as vulnerable and they don’t worry about the nest being harmed.

What do carpenter bees do?

Carpenter bees like to nest inside of wood. You may hear a loud buzzing noise as they drill into the wood. They don’t eat the wood like termites do, but rather just drill into it so they can lay eggs there. 

Carpenter bees are also pollinators, so they are important to many plants. However, when you have wood surrounding your home, they use it as a way to nest. This can happen in your wood deck, a playset, or anything else you have in your yard that is wood. They can also burrow into your home’s wood siding or steps. This could cause the steps to snap or wood to warp.

How to protect wood from carpenter bees

Carpenter bees prefer to have untreated wood to nest in, like trees, decks, or playsets that are not stained. However, they do sometimes get into wood that is treated as well. That being said, you can protect wood from carpenter bees by using a stain.

While it’s not a foolproof method, it does help. Carpenter bees will often search out somewhere else that has untreated wood. However, if they do nest in your treated wood, paint can keep them out. Painting your deck or playset can ensure that they won’t dig into your wood.

You can also try a few DIY methods for getting rid of carpenter bees to protect your wood from carpenter bees. These methods include:

• Citrus spray: Some people have found succeed spraying citrus oil onto wood. Citrus oil naturally repels bees, so they may go search for wood elsewhere.
• Almond oil: You may also have luck protecting your wood by using almond oil. This is an oil that naturally repels bees, so put it around the nest and any visible bee holes.
• Bee trap: A trap could help you get rid of carpenter bees. Make sure to get a carpenter bee trap that has wood to lure in the bees.
• Relocate the bees: There are people who will come in and relocate your carpenter bees, so you could get them out and then use one of the other methods to ensure they don’t come back.

Professional carpenter bee treatment

Carpenter bees are notoriously hard to get rid of without professional-grade products. Because you will need insecticide dust and spray in a concentration that can only be provided by a professional, it’s best to call someone in the Dallas or Fort Worth areas to help you get rid of them. At Vinx, we work to prevent carpenter bees from coming, but we also handle infestations as well. If you’re in Dallas County or the surrounding cities, like Rockwall, Euless, and Coppell, Vinx Pest Control can get rid of carpenter bees.

Carpenter bee prevention

First, if you’re preventing carpenter bees, we will come out in the spring to spray any wood you have to prevent them from coming and boring holes into the wood. They don’t nest until late spring, so if this is done in March or April, your wood will be protected.

Treating infestation

If you have an infestation, we will come out and spray an insecticide in the holes that the carpenter bees are creating. This liquid treatment can get rid of active carpenter bees as well as the eggs. On top of that, we use a dust application inside of the holes. This is a great preventive treatment, and it also works on active bees. However, the dust application does not work on eggs.

Once the active bees are gone and have left the nest, we can plug the carpenter bee holes as well. If you plug these holes while active bees or eggs are still inside, the carpenter bees will drill new holes. We wait until they are gone and then use some caulking compound so that the carpenter bees do not come back to this spot again.

After your infestation is taken care of and the holes are plugged, you’re good to stain or paint over the putty-filled holes. Thankfully, carpenter bees usually only cause aesthetic damage if you catch them in time.

Conclusion: How to get rid of carpenter bees

When it comes to getting rid of carpenter bees, it’s a long process. They are extremely resilient, and the best way to get rid of them is to never have them! Prevention is key in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. Whether you need carpenter bee prevention or treatment, our technicians are experienced in getting rid of carpenter bees. 

We’ll work with you to determine the best way to get rid of your carpenter bees. Since our technicians are specially trained, they’re some of the best exterminators in the business. Give us a call today at 972-855-8469 or fill out our form for a free quote. Stop the buzzing and prevent damage to your home by calling Vinx Pest Control today.