Is DIY pest control effective and does it actually save you money?
Photo by Thierry Fillieul: https://www.pexels.com/photo/macro-photo-of-black-fly-1046492/
When it comes to your home, being able to tackle a project or problem on your own brings a special kind of pride. There's a reason DIY shows are so popular! Installing a new toilet or building a fire pit in a weekend is one thing. Trying to eradicate bugs or pests in your home by using every DIY trick or store-bought product known to man? Not the best use of your time, or money, as a homeowner.
Which bug problems can you handle on your own? At what point do you hire a pest control professional? Great questions that we would love to answer for you!
Pest problems you can handle on your own:
There are pest problems that pop up that you are immediately able to get to the bottom of and handle. Fruit flies are a great example. If you have fruit sitting out in your home that is maybe at or past its prime, you might notice tiny flying black insects swarming around the fruit. After you use or dispose of the fruit, set out any of the DIY fruit fly traps floating around on the internet and you should be fruit fly-free in a few days.
Another example of a "safe" pest control problem homeowners can tackle would be a random spider, roach, or any single crawling insect you stumble upon. Swatting or squishing these bugs quickly handles the problem. If you wait to be extra sure that you only had one of these insects in your home, you can set out a store-bought trap to see if you catch any stragglers. The possible downside to using traps is that you might draw in insects that weren't in your home before, and you may be missing the actual source of the problem if insects are entering your home in a different location than where your traps are located.
Mosquitoes are another pest that seem to have a plethora of products available to keep them at bay. If you're hosting an outdoor event this summer and want to make sure your guests aren't leaving with itching welts on their exposed skin, you can set up torches or candles that use citronella, spray or smoke your yard with a mosquito repellant, or even run fans around the area to push away the stinging pests.
Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/macro-photo-of-brown-rat-209112/
Pest problems that a professional should take care of:
When should you hire a pest control professional? When your pest problem involves numerous insects or pests (an infestation), you can't figure out where the pests are coming from (or can't reach where you think they're entering your home), or the pests keep coming back.
DIY pest control is convenient, we understand that. But sometimes, a bigger effort is needed to truly get your house pest-free in the safest and most effective way possible. Sprays and traps, even the ones that claim to be "safe" and full of human-friendly ingredients, will not treat a severe pest problem.
At BREDA, we remind our customers that pests are an "out of sight, out of mind" problem. Spraying countertops, floors, and other surfaces in your home might help control the problem that you can see, but those products will wash or evaporate away, and you are likely missing other pest traffic areas in your home.
If the pest problem in your home is affecting quality of life or posing a health risk to you and your loved ones, calling a pest management company should be the first and only step you take. Pest control experts have training with a wide variety of pest control methods and are able to safely use products that have been specifically formulated to eliminate and prevent future infestations of a wide variety of pests. At BREDA, our pest management technicians will first identify the pest issue, then formulate a thorough treatment plan that is effective yet safe for your household. Pest control services also can come with some kind of a guarantee or warranty, which could save you money if the problem returns, a promise that you don't get when you use store-bought or DIY pest products or tricks.
If you're tired of wondering what the pests in or around your home are doing and just want them gone, don't hesitate to give us a call. The BREDA Guarantee promises to protect your home and keep it protected—no matter the circumstances. Schedule an inspection online or give us a call at 770-466-6700.
