DIY Home Pest Control vs Pro Pest Control; My Advice
Spiders, ants, fleas, ticks, earwigs, ladybugs and the annoying, yet ever-present box elder bug can all be found in your yard and landscape. But what if they get inside your house?
Cooler weather will undoubtedly drive many bugs into your garage, basement or kitchen and you should take precautions now to prevent the onslaught.
DIY Pest Control vs Calling a Professional Pest Company
Professional Pest Control
Obviously, calling a professional pest control company to keep the spiders out of your home is the quickest and most efficient way to go.
- The pros have access to the right products for the job.
- The pros know exactly where to spray and how much to use.
- The pros offer guarantees and will return between regular visits if problems flare up.
- The pros know where bugs live and why.
- The cost is not as much as you might think.
Do it Yourself Pest Control
Trying to keep the bugs out all on your own will work if you hit all the spots at the right time.
- DIY pest control is not terribly difficult.
- DIY pest control is cheaper in the long run.
- DIY pest control works if you stay on a schedule.
- DIY pest control means you can schedule your treatments around your own timeframe. (ie: when you are on vacation)
Of course, we are talking about general insect and bug prevention here and not a cure for major infestations or termite issues. If you have a major bug problem or termite infestation, call a professional pest control company immediately as they know how to solve the problem before major damage occurs. Here is a Terminix Coupon below. Click here or the link to get a free estimate!
The reason I am bringing this issue up now is because I have been a little busy this summer and forgot to perform my regular insect treatments around the foundation of my house and in my basement. My wife reminded me it was time to get it done when she walked into a spider web in the basement.
Here is my DIY Pest Control Regimen
I use a general purpose insect spray from Spectracide, called “Bug Stop,” that I buy at Walmart. It comes in 1 gallon size and costs around $7. The product label says it lasts for up to 9 months, but when applied to the exterior areas of my house, it washes away and I reapply it about every 6 weeks or anytime it rains. I use this product because it is labeled for indoor and outdoor use and is nearly odorless.
Exterior Perimeter Pest Control
On my 6-week schedule, I spray around the entire foundation of my home, as well as around doors and windows. I am also mindful to apply it around any other openings to the outside wall such as where phone or electric service enters my house. I also spray in my garage around all the edges and in the rafters.
Interior DIY Pest Control
I don’t have pets, and my kids are older, so this is not a concern for me. I apply the same Spectracide product around all the edges where the floor and walls meet in the basement, as well as in between all the exposes joists.
I also spray in my kitchen behind the refrigerator and stove. In addition, I apply the liquid in the bedrooms once per year in the early spring.
The biggest drawback to doing my own pest control is that I really don’t know if I am using enough or too much, as well as I often forget to get it done on time. Afterall, I’m a lawn and landscape guy, not a bug man!
My Recommendation for Home Pest Control
I pretty much tell people that if you find spiders or webs in your lawn or landscape, then you’re gonna find them in your house too. I think it is definitely worth it to have a professional pest company give you an estimate just to see if it fits in your budget. You’ll find that they are very affordable get better results in most cases.
And now, my readers can get a free estimate from Terminix, as well as save 10% on pest control services. Click on one of the banners to set up your free, no obligation estimate and analysis at your home.
Find Local Pest Control Services. Get Up to 4 Quotes Now. It’s Quick, Free, and Easy!
August 10th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
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August 10th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
[...] on Home Pest Control If you are going into the lawn spraying business, you can easily add on a Home Pest Control service to your menu. In many states, the licensing is the same and the products are also the same. [...]
August 10th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
[...] on Home Pest Control If you are going into the lawn spraying business, you can easily add on a Home Pest Control service to your menu. In many states, the licensing is the same and the products are also the same. [...]
August 10th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
[...] on Home Pest Control If you are going into the lawn spraying business, you can easily add on a Pest Control service to your menu. In many states, the licensing is the same and the products are also the same. [...]
August 10th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
[...] on Home Pest Control If you are going into the lawn spraying business, you can easily add on a Home Pest Control service to your menu. In many states, the licensing is the same and the products are also the same. [...]
August 10th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
[...] on Home Pest Control If you are going into the lawn spraying business, you can easily add on a Pest Control service to your menu. In many states, the licensing is the same and the products are also the same. [...]
August 13th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
September 20th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
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September 21st, 2008 at 5:07 am
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September 21st, 2008 at 5:23 pm
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September 22nd, 2008 at 11:39 pm
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September 23rd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
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November 20th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
It is safer to leave pest control to licensed pest control companies, safer for you and your family and pets, also safer for the environment. Pest control companies are penalized for conducting themselves in an anti-environmental way, through fines and lose of license and livelihood. DIY homeowners and business people are not penalized and therefore much more likely to carelessly endanger the environment, themselves and their families.
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:15 am
Ok Gerry, great opinions, but you do realize this is a DIY site right?
November 27th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
[...] on Home Pest Control If you are going into the lawn spraying business, you can easily add on a Pest Control service to your menu. In many states, the licensing is the same and the products are also the same. [...]