Whether you see a single mouse or an infestation of ants, you might ask “is professional pest control really necessary?” Old wives’ tales and store-bought pest control items offer an array of DIY solutions in a pinch.
So, why would you hire a professional?
It’s a fair question to ask. And the answer that comes to mind might be because you want to save money. You may also be relying on information you found online if the problem pertains to getting rid of the mouse in your house.
If you’re on the fence between DIY and professional pest control, these are the key considerations to keep in mind.
Pest Professionals Can Identify and Remove Many Types of Pests
There are many types of critters that can invade a home or yard. People often try to remove these unwanted guests on their own with varying levels of success. A few of the most common pests that homeowners encounter include:
- Ants: acrobat ants, thief cants, carpenter ants, pavement ants, odorous ants
- Rodents: house mouse, deer mice, field mice, Norway rats
- Snakes: garden snakes, rat snacks, timber rattlesnakes
- Stinging pests: hornets, wasps, yellow jackets, cicada killer wasps
- Spiders: black widow, wolf spider, house spider, cellda spiders
- Flies, gnats, and moths
- Mosquitos, bedbugs and fleas
- Cockroaches
- Beetles and weevils
Such a wide range of pests require different approaches for successful removal or extermination. Turning to the wrong technique can backfire and end up in an uphill battle, leaving you with never-ending infestations.
A professional pest control company has specific guidelines for handling different species. Not only are we able to remove infestations, we can keep them from returning.
Professionals Protect You from Wasting Time and Money
There are over-the-counter pest control products that offer a band aid approach. You’ll sprinkle some powder or spray liquid hoping to make an infestation go away. Then you cross your fingers and wait.
It doesn’t take long to learn if the product is effective. Some products promise nearly instant results. Others may take days to work.
One of the downfalls of DIY pest control is that it’s a waste of time if the product doesn’t work. Meanwhile, the infestation can grow larger.
The other downfall is wasting money on poorly-performing or ineffective products.
Not surprisingly, there are options for DIY pest control that are a waste of both time and money. One of those is the ultrasonic pest repellant, which is only effective for specific species. This product showed some results for crickets, but did not work on other insects such as cockroaches.
Reading through Consumer Affairs will show some of the best and worst DIY pest repellents for your home. Riddex Plus Pest Repellent is one of the worst-rated with consumers claiming problems such as serious medical issues.
When choosing professional pest control company, you can be assured the job is done right the first time around. Even if the cost of professional pest control is more than a bottle of repellent spray, you can’t put a price on your peace of mind.
Pest Professionals Understand Proper Usage of Repellents and Chemicals
The United States Environmental Protection Agency promotes safe usage for pest control. These are recommended do’s and don’ts to follow when attempting your own pest control method:
Understanding Proper Disposal of Chemicals
Once you are finished with your choice of repellant, there is a right and wrong way to approach disposal. It’s important to read the label for each item and learn the protocol for proper disposal.
Keeping unwanted pesticides around the house can yield serious consequences. This is especially true if you have kids or pets.
When in doubt, you can reach out to a local hazardous waste collection company for guidance.
Use as Intended
One example of incorrect usage is spraying outdoor chemicals inside the home. Chemicals intended for outdoors will linger longer inside your home. This increases the chance of omitting toxic fumes that are harmful to yourself, kids, and pets.
Another usage example is applying the correct amount of repellent. Using twice as much won’t necessarily yield better results. Not only is it a waste, but it can be harmful to your family.
It’s also a bad idea to transfer pesticides to other containers. It must be stored in the original container and only mix as much as you need for one application.
Furthermore, never try to use an original pesticide container for another purpose. No matter how well you try to wash it out, there can always be remnants of pesticide left behind.
So, is pest control really necessary? Many times, yes. This is especially true if you don’t want to remember all the small details about pest control safety and usage.
Using chemicals for pest extermination is always a risk. It’s best to leave this process in the hands of a pest removal company.
When is Pest Control Really Necessary?
There is a lot to know about pest control. As Baltimore’s best pest exterminator since 1984, there are many reasons why pest control is really necessary. Here are just a few to consider:
You Don’t Know the Cause or Source of the Infestation
Simply seeing an infestation doesn’t tell the entire story. It’s critical to know why the infestation is occurring in the first place, no matter if it’s inside or outside your home.
There are countless scenarios that can cause rodent or insect infestation. The source can be unsuspected such as a leaky toilet serving as a pool of water for rats. Professional pest control companies can help you identify and remove the source.
You Want it Done Right the First Time
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to get rid of pests and have them quickly return again. If you don’t want to deal with pests more than once, professionals help you get rid of the problem for good.
You Have Health and Safety Concerns
Infestations can cause serious health consequences ranging from salmonella to yellow fever and lyme disease. It doesn’t take many pests at all to bring disease into your home.
You’ve Exhausted Your Options
Maybe you already tried the DIY approach without results. Some infestations can be notoriously difficult to get rid of, such as fleas. This is because you have to exterminate every stage of the flea life cycle or the infestation will begin again.
Contact Brody Brothers Pest Control
Is pest control really necessary?
We find that homeowners have better extermination success rates with our services than handling it alone. It also eliminates the clean-up process and saves you the trouble of trying to guess what kind of pest is causing you stress, worry and the whole nine yards.
In the long run, it can also help you save time and money.
For peace of mind and professional assistance, contact Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore and request a FREE estimate.
