Pest Resources

Which Pests are DIY and Which Pests are not DIY?

In this article, we will discuss whether you should try DIY pest control or whether you should be using professional pest control to eliminate pests properly, like insects and rodents.

We will give advice on the most effective treatments for specific species to save money and time.

Many homeowners try DIY pest control, sometimes identifying the wrong culprit and missing the source leading to a severe pest problem.

We will let you know in this article which infestations put your health at risk and need to be dealt with more urgently by professionals than others.

Let’s get started!

Your walls may seem solid, but cracks can give entry points to insects, rodents, and other pests. If you can push a pencil through a gap, a small mouse and other animals can get in. Many homeowners know they should check their homes for repairs needed and act quickly. Acrylic latex caulk will seal gaps in windows etc.

Pest prevention to keep pest infestations away

  • Keep moisture away from wood; it will rot, eventually allowing pests in.

  • Store pet food in metal trash cans. Mice cannot climb the smooth sides.

  • Consider the size of the infestation; if you have only seen two mice, then DIY pest control is an option.

  • DIY pest treatment is cheaper than professional pest control treatments, but if your DIY efforts are not getting the pest infestation under control, you may need the help of a pest control company.

Rat and mice professional pest control

close-up-of-wild-rat

  • Treatments for a large mouse and a rat pest problem are not DIY. You will need to call the services of a professional pest control company that can offer rodent control treatments.

  • Pest control companies have various methods they use and will lay a trap in key areas, chemicals, or baits to deal with the infestation, and as part of the service, they will return to remove dead rodents.

Termites

  • Termites are not DIY. They can cause structural damage to property. Termites chew into the wood, destroying your home. Avoid DIY pest control if you have termites. They need to receive a professional pest control treatment to get rid of them.

  • Keep shrubs and plants away from the house foundations. Use treated wood. Keep moisture levels around the home to a minimum. Avoid using mulch near the foundations.

Bed bugs

The bed bug is very hard to eliminate and can wreak havoc in the home, and though there are many methods of pest control for them, the DIY route may only make the problem worse if the infestation spreads to other rooms, and even professionals struggle to remove this pest infestation at times.

A pest control professional will use various methods to eradicate these pests. Give a local expert a call and ask about the services they provide.

Fleas

detailed-drawing-of-a-flea

So what are the solutions to eliminate these pests?

Fleas carry disease! If you have a large infestation of fleas, DIY treatments will not help quickly enough; you should call on the services of a pest control expert.

You will be asked to take your family out of the home for a few hours while the chemicals work. A pest control exterminator will treat the home with a pesticide treatment, which will kill the fleas. A growth regulator is then used after the pesticide, which will stop the larvae from developing and stops the life cycle.

You may find after a week or so that you spot more fleas. Don’t worry, as the fleas will come into contact with the pesticide and die.

Wasps

Do not try to remove a wasp nest yourself; it is very dangerous. You need a professional pest control expert to use treatment for this insect. A Wasp is a pest problem to deal with quickly. They will repeatedly sting and release a hormone called pheromones which let other wasps know there is danger!

DIY pest treatment

group-of-ants-on-leaf

Ants

One of the most common pests you will find inside is ants, and this is definitely DIY pest control.  You can get rid of these pests yourself with store-bought pesticides, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

So long as the pests have not been allowed to grow too big in numbers in the first place, these insects can be treated with DIY treatments like ant spray or a product called Fipronil, available in hardware stores. A vinegar solution in a spray bottle will break pheromone trails.

Bait gel treatments can also be used, placing them near cracks and entry points. The chemical-containing bait is taken back to the nest, killing the colony. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Minor Mouse and Rats DIY pest control

Mice and rats can spread disease. To reduce the risk, they must be removed quickly. When dealing with them, the best method to get rid of a mouse or rat without causing long-term suffering is snap traps. They can be baited with food, and we found peanut butter is great.

Place the snap traps along the edge of the walls, where they like to run. Keep pets away from a trap. It is a quick and safe DIY rodent control treatment that gets the job done and does not cost much. The traps cost around $14 for six and can be reused if necessary.

Minor Mosquito pest problem

Mosquitoes spread diseases like malaria! They are attracted to standing water and humans! Take a look around your yard and check for water. It needs to be removed, as this is where they breed. You could also buy a repellent containing DEET, which will repel mosquitoes when sprayed on you.

Cockroaches

Roaches are awful insects that scuttle all over the place and hide under paper bags below the sink. They also spread disease! Cockroaches will go and hide in the cracks of walls or under cabinets and remain active if you don’t start treatment. Baits are an effective method because it kills all the roaches. You can also purchase insecticides like Raid to kill roaches. Give your house a clean and remove any clutter from your house for your DIY pest control to stand a chance of working.

Flies and fruit flies

fruit-flies-on-banana

A fly spray containing pesticides can be sprayed and will kill the flies. A good DIY method to free your home of these pests is sticky flypaper; the flies are attracted to it and find themselves stuck to it and die. Hang the paper near entrances and where the flies hang out most.

Head lice

Head lice can be treated with DIY pest control. These pests are irritating, but with careful treatment, you should be able to remove them for good. You can buy a shampoo treatment over the counter and use it by following the instructions carefully. Change your clothes and wash all the bedding and towels.

And finally,

We hope you have found our advice and tips on ‘Which pests are DIY and which pests are not’ helpful. If you have any questions about DIY pest control or non-DIY pest control, please drop us an email. We do our best to answer as quickly as possible.

Good luck!

Ronald has 25 years of pest control experience under his belt. He scrutinizes each control method, product and process to prevent infestations effectively. 

Read more here.

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