The Pros and Cons of DIY Pest Control

If you find spiders, ants, cockroaches, or other bugs in your home, you may consider taking matters into your own hands. Like any other do-it-yourself project around the home, there are some pros and cons. Pro-Staff, providers of preferred pest control in Des Moines, advise considering these pros and cons before you get started.

Pro: You Can Choose Products You Like

Another advantage of the DIY approach is that you can choose all your own pest control products. If you have ethical concerns about particular pest control methods, this makes it easy to avoid them. If you don’t like certain chemicals or smells, you can easily avoid those as well. This level of control can be very appealing.

Pro: You May Save Money

For DIYers, the thought of saving money can be a major motivator. When you do your own pest control, there’s a chance you may save money. If you can choose the right product and apply it correctly, the cost can be much less than hiring a pest control professional to handle the problem. Of course, choosing the right product and applying it correctly is much harder than it sounds. If done incorrectly,

Con: You Could Waste Time and Money

If your chosen products don’t work, you may need to experiment with other products until you find something effective. Repeatedly purchasing and applying pest control products can quickly become expensive and time-consuming. When you hire a pest control professional, they know which products to use and how to apply them, so there’s no trial-and-error involved. This means you don’t waste your time or money.

Con: You Could Spread the Infestation

Sometimes using ineffective pest control products is simply a waste of money, but in other cases, it can actually spread the infestation. This can happen if you treat certain ant species with the wrong types of pesticides. The ant colony can split into multiple colonies and spread around your home, and you may be left with a much larger problem.

Con: You Could Face Health and Safety Risks

Pesticides are designed to kill unwanted pests, but they aren’t harmless to people and pets. If you’re not careful, exposure to pesticides can make you sick or even cause death . When doing DIY pest control, you must be extremely careful. Not wearing the right personal protective equipment or not following the product directions can result in health and safety risks.

While there are potential advantages of DIY pest control, there are more disadvantages. If you have a pest problem in your home, hire a pest control professional. For help controlling pests, turn to Pro-Staff for preferred pest control in Des Moines.