So, you have some pests crawling around in your home. Unfortunately, the longer they’re left there, the more damage they will cause. 14.8 million homes in the US currently have rodents, and similar numbers report seeing roaches, all of which pose serious public health risks.
While it may be tempting to take a weekend away and do your own pest control, we would advise against it. Let’s talk about why you shouldn’t do your own pest control and how to find the right services for your needs!
1. It’s Dangerous to Do Your Own Pest Control
Depending on the job you’re trying to do, you could put yourself at serious risk of complications. This is especially true when it comes to spraying harmful chemicals. If you spray them incorrectly, don’t wear the correct equipment, or if you come home too early, these chemicals could pose serious health risks to you and your family.
Remember that these chemicals are designed to kill insects and small mammals. Even organic pest control products won’t do any favors to humans or pets in your household. The effects can range from mild skin irritation to coma or death in serious cases.
Also, if you have to go into crawl spaces or pest-infested areas, this poses other risks to you when you do your own pest control. You could come in close contact with certain diseases, get bitten by a disease-carrying pest, or get stuck in a bad situation.
Another concern is that improper use of certain pest control products can potentially damage your home if misused. This could leave lasting chemicals, damage the frame of your house, strip paint, and more.
2. DIY Pest Control Is Less Effective
Not only do you run the risk of hurting yourself when you do your own pest control, but you also run the risk of being ineffective. An untrained eye may look in the wrong place, which will result in, well, very little. You may continue your daily operations at home and not notice that the pests haven’t left.
If that’s the case, this poses another potential health risk, especially if your pests are rodents. Living with pests in your home without knowing it can result in adverse health effects, including the transmission of serious diseases.
Other pest control methods like traps or poison are also quite ineffective for larger pest populations. Rodents, especially rats, are quite intelligent creatures. Many understand traps, especially if they see one in action, and refuse to use them.
3. Saving Money
Performing this dangerous activity yourself and failing to do the job could cause you to waste hundreds of dollars on pest control equipment. If you need to book a hotel room while you spray harmful chemicals into your home, that’s even more money wasted. In that case, you’ll still have to call a professional to help, but you wasted extra time and money trying to do your own pest control.
As we mentioned before, one mistake could also cause damage to the structure of your home. If that’s the case, you could have to pay thousands of dollars for repairs.
4. You May Lack Proper Equipment
Personal protective equipment, pest control equipment, and safety equipment are essential for larger jobs. If you don’t have the right equipment or don’t even know what equipment you need, the job will be more dangerous and less likely to succeed trying to do your own pest control.
Also, let’s say you find out exactly what equipment you need to do your own pest control. In that case, you’ll likely spend more money on all of that equipment than you would have spent on professional services.
5. Solving the Root Problem
Professional exterminators don’t just eliminate pests in your home. They also seek to find the root cause of the pest problem. This could include easy entryways, a poor home seal, nesting materials, and more.
Even if you manage to exterminate all of the pests in your home when you do your own pest control, that doesn’t mean there won’t be more. Unless you have training in pest control, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
How to Find the Right Pest Control Services
First, take a look at professional pest control services in your area to find one that offers what you need. You can always ask friends and family if they know anyone, but we also live in the digital age. Look online and access previous customer testimonies (click to see ours!), reviews, services offered, rates, and so much more.
After you’ve found services that look good on paper, reach out and ask about their availability. The sooner they can book a consultation, the better. If you want more information, feel free to ask for references!
Ensure you communicate the necessary information with your pest control provider. This includes the pests you believe you’re facing, children, pets, allergies, and more. If you have any other information that may be helpful, let them know about it!
It’s also essential to find a company that offers the pest control treatment methods you need. Pest control is a broad term, so the services must match the job, as well as the needs of your household.
Get Your Pests Under Control Today
This is an essential job for the health and safety of your home, and that’s why you shouldn’t do your own pest control. There is simply too much room for potential errors and safety hazards that could cost you more money or threaten you and your family.
Keep reading our blog for our latest tips for your home, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or help with your pest control needs!
