Pests are a major problem for homeowners across the country. In fact, an average of 84 percent of households had some type of infestation or issue on their property in 2013. As temperatures change and weather conditions shift, that number continues to rise.
Luckily, staying on top of pest infestations is relatively simple. As long as you make preventative pest control a priority and treat infestations as you find them, you’ll keep your home in good condition.
There are two ways to do this: hire a professional pest control team or do it on your own.
So, how can you choose between a do-it-yourself pest control routine or hiring a professional? Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Think About the Size of Your Infestation
Before you start shopping for bait and traps or looking for a professional pest control company, think about the size of the problem. Are you looking to stay ahead of pest infestations or do you have active infestations in several rooms of your house?
Walk through your home and inspect each room in detail. Look for signs of insects in the corners and closets. Monitor the space for rodent droppings and chew marks on wooden trim.
If you only see the damage in a few spots, you may be able to treat the problem on your own. However, if you notice issues in every room of your home or worry that the infestation is getting out of control, hiring a pest control service is a better option.
They’ll be able to get rid of the infestation once and for all.
Consider What Types of Pests You Have
Unfortunately, different types of pests and insects require different pest control methods. If you’re not sure exactly what you have inside your house or on your property, finding the best treatment may be almost impossible.
You’ll end up having to go through a process of trial and error when you do your own pest control. That costs money, time, and keeps you from getting your home back quickly. If you’re not sure what’s crawling around your house, it’s almost always best to call a professional.
They’ll be able to identify the exact treatment that will work for your needs.
However, if you’re sure you know what type of infestation you have and can buy the appropriate treatment for those pests, you can. Just know that it might take a few more applications and you’ll likely have to deal with the infestation for a bit longer.
Pay Attention to Chemicals
If you have small children or pets in your household, you’ll need to be careful about the types of treatments you use in the space. According to the experts at Affinity Pest Control, many of the commercially available treatments contain harmful chemicals. Those chemicals put your health and safety at risk even when used properly.
Professional pest control experts have treatments that are safe for use around children and animals. Most of those treatment options aren’t available in retail stores, so you won’t be able to access them yourself if you choose to handle your own pest control.
Think about where you’re spreading treatments. If you’re worried about causing potential health problems for those you love, leave the pest control to the pros.
Take a Look at Your Budget
Depending on the severity of the infestation on your property, professional pest control may end up saving you money. Think of it this way: the bigger the pest problem is, the more treatments you’ll have to use to get rid of them for good.
If you’re paying for each treatment out of pocket, you’ll end up spending hundreds of dollars every time. Worse, you won’t have a guarantee that those do-it-yourself pest control methods will work the first time you use them. If they don’t, you’ll have to pay for different treatments all over again.
The best pest control experts offer guarantees on their work. This means that if a treatment doesn’t get rid of the problem, they’ll come back and try a different treatment at no cost to you. You’ll end up saving money and preserving your home maintenance budget in the long run.
Figure Out How Much Time You Have
Even preventative pest control takes a lot of time to do right. Before you decide to head to the store and pick up different treatment options, think about how much time you’re willing to spend on the project.
If you’re determined to handle everything on your own and don’t mind spending hours spreading treatments across your property, you can. It will help you become more familiar with the pests around your house. You’ll also learn valuable skills that can help you keep infestations from happening in the first place.
However, if your schedule is already packed, hiring a professional is the best option. They’ll be able to handle the treatment while you take care of other tasks.
Identify the Right Schedule for Your Home
Different pests are active at different points throughout the year. Some may be easy to handle on your own while others may be difficult to get rid of entirely.
If you’re not sure where to start, you may want to consider using a hybrid approach. Hire a professional pest control expert to get rid of any existing pests and make a note of where the hotspots are throughout your home.
Then, stay on top of things by handling preventative pest control on your own during the rest of the year.
Should You Choose Do-It-Yourself Pest Control?
Ultimately, making the decision between hiring a professional or opting for do-it-yourself pest control comes down to personal preference. If you’re confident in your ability to get rid of unwanted pests and are willing to spend the time doing it, you can.
However, if you want someone to handle the task for you and reduce the risk of insects and critters coming back after the treatment, hiring a professional is your best bet.
Whatever you choose, you’ll be able to keep your home in better condition, longer. For more helpful tips about keeping up with your home’s maintenance needs, check out our latest posts.
