At some point, every home will encounter a pest infestation. If you find that your home is infested with termites, cockroaches, mice, rats, or any other kind of pest, you’ll want to act quickly to reduce the risks to your family and your property.
Regardless of the type of house you have or how well you maintain it, you will most likely occasionally need to call for pest control. This infestation could be as simple as an ant infestation or more difficult, such as mice or other rodents
Is Pest Control Worth It? (Short Answer)
But, considering how much hiring professionals may be expensive, you might want to attempt DIY pest control to save money. To keep your family safe and comfortable in your home, you must decide whether to use a professional pest control service or do it yourself. Although there are advantages to both options, you can save time and money by understanding when to use each one.
For those wondering, “Is pest control worth it?” we’ll look at the factors to consider before making a decision and offer recommendations for effective pest control below.
Pros of a Professional Pest Control Service
Generally speaking, paying for expert pest control services is more expensive than doing it yourself—at least initially. But if you don’t address your pest issue right away, it might develop into a serious infestation. If this occurs, you might wind up spending more money on do-it-yourself remedies than you would have if you had hired a professional as soon as an infestation appeared.
Unlike the typical homeowner, pest control experts have the trained eye to spot pests in the house quickly, from cockroaches to rodents and everything in between, and they act quickly to contain the infestation.
Here are major advantages to hiring an expert that you cannot obtain through DIY methods:
Specialized Equipment and Expertise
DIY pest control products typically don’t have the same potency as professional pest control products. You might find that you need to apply more than is advised or repeat the treatment more frequently because they are not made to be as harsh as commercial-grade supplies.
Furthermore, because proper use of some pesticides may require training and experience, they may not be available to the general public. Professionals will understand how to use these products without putting you, your family, or your pets in danger.
Proactive Pest Control
Often, DIY pest control measures taken by homeowners only treat a small part of the problem rather than addressing the root cause. In addition to being able to help you avoid future pest problems, a professional pest control company will know how to zero in on your current problem.
For instance, even if a homeowner uses one of the best mouse traps to catch mice as they enter the kitchen, it won’t stop them from reproducing inside the house and behind the walls. A professional can find entry points around your house during an inspection, offer advice on how to seal these gaps, and help you take proactive action.
Convenience of Professional Help
Having someone come to your home after you book the service and handle every aspect of the pest control process from investigation to completion is far more convenient than doing it yourself. Many professional services even offer free follow-up visits to ensure that the issue is resolved.
Minimized Health Risks
When pests such as rodents, fleas, ants, and cockroaches enter the home, they bring germs and bacteria with them and have the potential to spread infectious diseases and viruses to the residents. Furthermore, those who suffer from health issues such as asthma or allergies may find their symptoms worsening as a result of an infestation.
A professional will be knowledgeable about the potential health risks that any pest can pose to you and your family, and they will advise you accordingly.
What Are the Negatives of Pest Control?
Of course, there are some drawbacks to hiring professional pest control rather than doing the job yourself at home:
High Price
Hiring a professional pest control expert to come to your home and apply various chemicals and traps differs greatly from purchasing DIY products. For just one treatment, you may have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on the problems they’re facing.
Risk of Harm
Professional pest control services typically use harsh chemicals, and you have no way of knowing what ingredients are being used unless you specifically ask. Families with children or pets may be especially hesitant to use such harsh chemicals because they may have to wait for the chemicals’ effects to wear off.
Development of Pesticide Resistance
Pest populations may become resistant to pesticides if they are used extensively and frequently. This implies that over time, pests become less vulnerable to the effects of the pesticide, decreasing the efficacy of control measures.
Potential Harm to Property
When used incorrectly, some pest control techniques, like the use of chemical pesticides, can harm property. For instance, some chemicals can corrode or discolor surfaces, necessitating expensive repairs.
Disrupting the Ecosystem
Eliminating pests without taking into account their ecological significance can upset ecosystem equilibrium. Certain pests may contribute to the cycling of nutrients or act as a food source for other organisms. Eliminating them cmpletely may have a domino effect on the environment.
How Long Is Pest Control Effective?
There are various pest control methods for each pest, with differing degrees of efficacy. Some require quarterly visits, while others are only effective for a few weeks. For instance, the treatment for ants needs to be repeated every three to six months. Whereas the effects of bedbug treatments are permanent.
Depending on the type of pesticide used, as well as the surface and environmental conditions of the area, the residual effect of a treatment can be either one or multiple treatments.
The average duration of a pest exterminator treatment is 30 to 90 days, though this can vary slightly based on the type of pesticide used. The 30-day duration of insecticides used to eliminate flying insects can be impacted by heavy rain or other meteorological factors. Pest control treatments that target an entire infestation, on the other hand, should be repeated every 90 days.
A professional’s quarterly visits can guarantee that preventative measures continue to function as intended over the long run. If you want to give it a try, you can also ask for a one-time pest control service, though this isn’t the most economical option when compared to routine visits.
So Is Pest Control Worth It and Should Pest Control Be Done Every Month?
The quantity and type of pests in and around the home determine how often pest control is required. Certain treatments, like getting rid of bed bugs, only need to be done once, but others will need to be done more frequently.
