As a homeowner, you’re likely looking to cut costs associated with maintenance. That’s why a whopping 74% of homeowners have attempted some form of do-it-yourself pest control.
In some extremely mild cases, DIY pest control can be a good idea. The simple act of setting a mousetrap in the garage or lighting a citronella candle to fend off mosquitos are fine examples of this.
However, in the vast majority of instances, DIY pest control does more harm than good. You won’t be able to defend your home from pest infestation on your own. Read on to learn about the disadvantages of DIY pest control.
It’s Likely a Bigger Issue Than You Think
You might see a roach in your kitchen or a rat in your basement and think that killing it will solve your pest problems. However, these one-off instances are usually just a sign of a larger problem.
Most pests don’t just wander into your home. There’s probably a nest or colony inside your home that you haven’t found yet, and, once you do find it, the problem will be much too big to tackle on your own.
Do-It-Yourself Pest Control Doesn’t Target the Source
You’ve likely seen sprays and other chemicals advertised as able to “kill on contact.” While these products are effective at killing the pests that come in contact with them, they are only treating symptoms of your issue rather than the source.
These products will kill the pests that you see around your home, but they don’t affect the colony or nest that’s the root cause of your pest problems. You’ll continue investing in products that aren’t actually reducing your home’s pest issues.
To properly rid your home of pests, you need the expertise of a pest control technician. They’ll be able to identify the root causes of your pest issues and treat them at the source.
Pests Can Develop Immunity to Certain Products
Due to genetic mutations, a pest colony can quickly become resistant to your preferred pesticide.
Over-the-counter pest control products will never be able to fully eradicate the pests in your home. Some pests will be hearty enough to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation.
On a long enough timeline, the pests in your home will become unfazed by your pesticide usage. It can happen sooner than you’d think, given the short reproductive cycle of some of the most common pests.
Professional pest control companies are able to identify the kinds of pests you’re dealing with and implement a treatment that targets even the most resistant vermin.
You Won’t Properly Treat the Problem
Every infestation is different. No matter how much you look into the issue, you won’t ever be able to effectively treat your pest problem without the experience that professional exterminators rely on.
A treatment that worked for a specific kind of pest in another part of the country may not be appropriate for your locale.
You’ll also struggle to accurately identify the kinds of pests in your home. To a layman, most ants look the same, but pest control professionals know exactly what kind of species it is and can tailor a specific treatment program to your needs.
For instance, Pharoah ants and Argentine ants are similar in size and color, but Pharaoh ant infestations can’t be managed with insecticide alone.
Pesticides Are Toxic Chemicals
Effective pesticides are made of chemicals that could pose a health risk to you or your family. Handling pesticides without proper protection is an easy way to expose yourself to these potentially dangerous chemicals, but they can also linger in the air or be absorbed through the skin accidentally.
The effects of pesticide poisoning in humans can range from mild symptoms like lightheadedness and nausea to more severe symptoms like blindness and even death.
An exterminator is trained in the proper handling and application of pesticides. You won’t have to worry about exposing yourself or your loved ones to toxic fumes.
DIY Pesticide Application Is an Environmental Hazard
In the same way that pesticides are hazardous to you and your family, they can also have adverse effects on the environment. Pesticides can pose a risk to local wildlife like birds, can harm beneficial insects like honeybees that weren’t a pest issue to begin with, and can even work their way into the local water supply.
Professional pest control services know how to limit the harmful effects of pesticides so the environment isn’t at risk.
You Put Off Calling a Professional
One of the unseen disadvantages of DIY home pest control is that you’ll wait too long to call a professional service. You might think you’re handling the problem on your own, but the situation is only getting worse.
By the time you get a proper exterminator on the premises, what could have been a minor issue has now grown out of control.
You’ll End Up Spending More
DIY projects are supposed to save you money, but DIY pest control will wind up costing more in the long run. You’ll likely go through plenty of pesticides, have to purchase even more, and then realize the problem has grown out of your control.
Ultimately, you’ll end up calling an exterminator and shelling out the money for that on top of all of the over-the-counter products you used. It’s best and cheapest to simply call a pest control company at the first sign of infestation.
Don’t Wait: Call a Professional Pest Control Service
While do-it-yourself pest control may seem like a good way to save money, the fact of the matter is that you’ll likely make your problem worse and end up spending more.
Pesticides can pose a risk to the health of you, your family, and the environment. Over-the-counter products seldom treat the source of your infestation, and the pests in your home can quickly become resistant to them.
If you’re located in Delaware, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, reach out to Pointe Pest Control. Their certified technicians are standing by to help you.