Why is Professional Pest Control Better than DIY?

Why is Professional Pest Control Better than DIY?

If you were to search any kind of pest problem online, there are a few different search results that are likely to come up: local pest control companies, some DIY tips, and a myriad of sprays and traps you can purchase at any big box store. Where you go from the main search results page is completely up to you. Some people would rather try their hand at solving any kind of pest problem on their own first, while others would prefer just calling the first pest control company recommended to them. But how do you know when pest control services are necessary? And why would you even call pest control if there are so many other seemingly-effective methods online? Let’s look at some of the main reasons why pest control services are often better than the DIY solutions presented online, as well as the situations where it is essential to rely on pest control services.

Large Pest Invasions

If you see a couple of insects in your house, you likely won’t worry too much depending on what type they are. A stray spider or a few fruit flies are not the end of the world, and can be handled either with insecticide from the store, a DIY trap, or a good old fashioned tissue. It is also perfectly fine to call pest control for these minimal invasions, since preventative services are valuable and can keep a small problem from becoming much worse. But the time to definitely call pest control is when the pest infestation is considerably large. The insecticide sprays will be a temporary fix, and many DIY methods are not fit for an infestation of that size. 

A large pest invasion is subjective, since some consider ten insects to be a major problem while others do not. When we say “large” invasion, we mean an amount of insects that is naturally found in the middle of the forest, not in a house. This includes an army of ants, spiders in multiple locations, a nest of any stinging insect, a group of mosquitoes, and a family of rodents. All of these can be efficiently solved by pest control technicians and their licensed treatments. One exception to this idea is the infamous roach. One roach is one too many, as they reproduce extremely quickly and are often found in groups. If you see one roach inside, there are more to be found in the area. 

Skipping Trial & Error

Someone with determination and time on their hands may not mind trying different sprays and projects to solve the pest issues. You may even find one that works for now! But the benefit of having pest control services is that you don’t have to go through the frustration of trial and error. It can be annoying to purchase all of the products that promise to solve your pest issues that day, only to find that they don’t do much besides leave a chemically residue wherever they were applied. With professional pest control, you can cut to the chase and get the specific issues addressed right away.

The main reason for this is surprisingly not the specific products and traps that the technicians use, though these are quite effective and more advanced than the ones on the store shelves. It is actually because of the technicians themselves. They go through extensive training and shadowing during their first weeks in order to get to a place where they can recognize the patterns and habits of certain pests in various environments, as well as the most efficient ways to eliminate them. The quality and ingredients of a treatment will not matter if the person applying it does not have the background knowledge about the pests and the best places to use them.

Reliable Treatments

Speaking of being confident in the treatments, pest control services come with the benefit of using products that are not readily available to just anyone. The sprays used by the pros, even if they are deemed eco-friendly, almost always require specific licenses to be used. This is not only due to the strength of the products, but also because of the application process. Many states, including Illinois, require a license to apply pesticides to properties and other homes that do not belong to the person applying. The products that are EPA-approved mean that they are deemed to be effective and relatively safe by the Environmental Protection Agency, and these are the general treatments used by pest control. With all of these facts in mind, it makes sense why the treatments would be more reliable than the over-the-counter ones. Between the licensing and the training that goes into using this equipment, you can be sure that there will be evident results from a pest control company worth their salt. 

Effective Prevention

For many homeowners, receiving preventative pest control services is the largest perk of hiring them. Prevention can even be a money-saver overall, compared to solving a major pest problem later on. There are different steps and treatments that fall under the “preventative” umbrella. One is the classic inspection. This is when the technician goes through the exterior or interior (or both) of the home and examines points of interest. They look for any potential entry points, evidence of nesting, droppings, dead insects, and any other signs that pests are invading the area. From here, the tech can use different methods to shut the pests out and ensure that they do not have a way to get inside the home. The common materials are copper mesh for holes, and baits or traps in the spots that the pests seem to return to everyday. 

The best part of preventative services is that they take place year-round. Pests are commonly most active in the summer, since insects and arachnids are ectothermic and therefore internally affected by the weather. But this doesn’t mean they take the other months of the year off for vacation. Spring is typically for reproducing and finding a new nest, summer is for being the most productive and gathering food, fall is for preparing to overwinter or die off, and winter is for hibernating and waiting until the weather warms up again. Each of these seasons are valid times to have pest control services, as the prevention keeps the pests from using your home as their “home base” while engaging in whatever activities are happening for the season.

The Pro Handles Everything

This may be the best part of having professional pest control, especially if you have entomophobia or arachnophobia, both of which are completely understandable. DIY pest control is fine for smaller problems and is not a big deal for those who don’t mind being close to creepy insects, but it is not for everyone or every situation. The typical way that a pest control visit goes is that the technician comes to the front door and checks in with the homeowner to answer questions and address concerns, then goes and performs any preventative and/or responsive services that need to be done, and ends with revisiting with the homeowner to explain the treatments and any problems, and take any last questions. This takes the burden off of your shoulders and provides (hopefully) peace of mind in terms of resolving pest issues and delivering treatments that have a lasting impact. 

On that note, one of the scariest pest issues that is common across the U.S. is having a nest of a stinging pest in your yard or on your house. Bees are the most docile of the bunch, but even they can get a little mean if their hive is disturbed at all. Wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets are more aggressive and will not hesitate to sting multiple times if they feel threatened at all. This is exactly why removing these nests should be left to the pros. They know how to best remove and treat the nest area to keep everyone safe, as they have the protection to do so. Nests should be removed even if it is not directly in a walking path since these insects are so territorial, so we recommend contacting pest control if you find one.

Safety First!

Perhaps the greatest benefit of having pest control services for your home is that it is safer than the alternative. The professional that is handling these pesticides, traps, and baits has gone through the training and experience to know exactly what to do with each item. The technicians usually wear masks, especially when they spray, and they may have protective jumpsuits for handling stinging pests. When you use DIY methods for solving pest problems, it is just you and your products against these pests. This has various risks depending on the specific pests at hand, especially if they sting or bite. It is generally better for the pro to handle pests like these, considering they have the protective equipment in case the pests start to get a little testy.

But besides the risk of pests attacking during treatment, it is also generally safer for the technician to use the chemical treatments. They are required to be licensed and well-trained before doing the services alone (if the company is legit), which means they know how to safely apply these treatments in a home or business. The treatments have definitely gotten safer over the years, considering the fact that previously-used chemicals, like DDT, were found to cause lasting health issues in the people near it. But whether or not the label declares that the treatment is “eco-friendly,” it is important to only apply it in the affected areas and to use sparingly. A knowledgable technician has these principles in mind while servicing the home.

The Threat of Wood Pests

This category of pests is one of two that we consider to be best saved for the pros. This one is less about the health risks and more about possible home damage and costly repairs later. The most common pests are termites, carpenter bees, carpenter ants, and powder post beetles. These pests like to be isolated away from us and can be very difficult to spot, so you will likely only find the evidence they leave behind. If these pests get into the framework of your home and eat through it, as termites and carpenter ants tend to do, they can cause extensive damage to the house. Some extreme cases of termite damage have cost thousands of dollars in repairs! This is not the case with every infestation, but it is definitely best to get it resolved early on to have as little damage as possible. 

The Danger of Stinging Pests

Stinging pests is the second category that are generally handled more easily and safely by a technician. The health risks of having stinging pests in the yard or home can be even larger if someone in your family is allergic to the stings. We recommend having the nest(s) removed as soon as possible before the pests expand it further and reproduce more. Considering the territorial nature of this group, it can be a painful experience if they decided to build a nest right by a doorway or window. The sooner the nest is removed and the pests are treated, the less likely you are to be stung while you are just trying to enjoy your home.

Keep in Mind…

With all of these larger reasons to use pest control, there are also a few small ideas to keep in mind when considering pest control in general. No matter which direction you go in to resolve your pest issues, your safety and satisfaction with the treatments are top priorities to us. These are three principles to remember in any pest control endeavors:

Don’t Hit the Panic Button

No matter what specific pest issue you may have, or how big it seems, take a deep breath. It is easier to handle pest problems when you have a calm mindset. We understand that the idea of insects, arachnids, or rodents invading your home is a terrifying one, and it can be difficult to determine which path of pest control is best for you. When you have time, do some research, contact pest control, and discuss the options with your family. It is totally fine to take time for research and discussion first, as making the best decision for your home is important!

Read All Directions on DIY Products

If you do decide to go the DIY route, we highly recommend reading all directions and using products appropriately. The store-bought options may not be the strongest on the market, but they can still be dangerous if used incorrectly. Do not use any sprays and products labelled as “outdoor only” indoors. These products are typically stronger, which could be dangerous if you use it in a concentrated area without ventilation. Also, use caution with traps and glue boards. Place them out-of-reach of any children and pets. You don’t want to catch those when you’re trying to catch pests! 

Good Things Take Time

As much as we would love for pest treatments to be completely effective the second they are applied, this is typically not the case. Some do work more quickly than others, depending on the amount of pests and the specific products applied. Ant control is notorious for taking a bit longer than some others. This is because there needs to be some time for the ants to bring the bait back to their nest and have it affect the group. The treatments provided by pest control should be more efficient than the store-bought ones, but make sure to contact your provider if there are no signs of improvement after several days.

Pointe Pest Control is Here For You!

With all of this being said, hiring pest control services does not have to be an intimidating task. The contracts and expenses should be straightforward, without the risk of any upselling. Our team is here to solve your pest problems and provide you with a pest-free space after every visit. Our experienced technicians are happy to answer your questions and create personalized treatment plans for your specific pest concerns. Contact us today to learn more about our EPA-approved treatments and why our services keep those pesky pests away in every season!

Citations

Brill, R. & Pelchen, L. (2022, February 15). DIY vs. professional pest control: Which is best for you?. Forbes Home. Available at https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/pest-control/diy-vs-professional-pest-control/ (Accessed on September 27, 2022).

Glover, E. & Pelchen, L. (2022, January 20). Is DIY pest control a good idea?. Forbes Home. Available at https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/pest-control/should-you-diy-pest-control/ (Accessed on September 27, 2022).

Kasch, A. (2021, November 10). Does pest control actually work and how long before you start seeing results?. Angi. Available at https://www.angi.com/articles/5-reasons-hire-pest-control-company.htm (Accessed on September 27, 2022).

This Old House Reviews Team. (2022, July 27). Is pest control worth it?. This Old House. Available at https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pest-control/reviews/is-pest-control-worth-it (Accessed on September 27, 2022).