Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects can be fun – and inexpensive – when it comes to decks and patios, gardens and landscapes, or kitchens and bathrooms. But DIY pest control is another story. While DIY pest control methods may seem like the easiest, most cost-effective way to get rid of pests in your home as quickly as possible, they could cause more harm than good.
3 risks of DIY pest control
1. Environmental risk and exposure
Think about the hundreds of DIY pest control products that you see on the shelves at your local store or that are available online. It’s easy to pick the wrong option and endanger your family members and pets by over-spraying or overexposing your property. Failing to read labels or misusing hazardous products can result in health problems, cosmetic damage to your property, and harming plant life and non-invasive animals. This is not meant to scare you, but to remind you that an expert exterminator can help you avoid unintentional damage and lingering effects by targeting specific problem areas and cleaning up afterward.
2. Incorrect application and return of pests
After you apply a DIY pest treatment in your home, you may notice an unwanted return of your pest in a few days, weeks, or months. Pests are resourceful. They can avoid the treatment and invade a different part of your home, or maybe the product you bought simply didn’t get rid of the source. For example, southern Louisiana homeowners are unfortunately familiar with termites. These destructive pests must be targeted at the source, known as their colony, located in the ground or in wood. Only killing visible termites won’t stop them from breeding and damaging your home.
3. Misidentification and misuse
Correctly identifying pests makes controlling them easier and often more effective. Failing to identify which type of pest you are dealing with can derail your DIY pest control plan before you even begin. Pest identification can be tricky. For example, bed bugs can be mistaken for fleas, termites can be mistaken for carpenter ants, and mice can be confused with rats. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has a handy pest guide, but a local pest management professional can help you identify which pests have invaded your home.
When should you call a professional pest control company?
The biggest mistake you can make when it comes to DIY pest control is underestimating the pest population. Living in the South means that pest problems are unfortunately the norm. Here are four signs that you should call a professional:
- You are spending too much on pest control products that don’t seem to work.
- You notice signs of infestation including damaged plants, droppings, evidence of nesting, grime and buildup on the wall, and property damage.
- You are finding structural or cosmetic damage to your furniture or building.
- You are ill from using at-home pest control treatments.
How a local full-service pest control company can help
Local, professional pest control companies inspect your home, develop customized treatment plans, treat infestations using organic products, help protect against future infestations and monitor your home. Technicians know the area and are familiar with common local pest infestations.
Call LaJaunie’s Pest Control today at 985-859-7378 or contact us here. We serve New Orleans and the surrounding areas and guarantee long-lasting results to eliminate your pests.