A Penny-Pincher’s Guide to Pest Control: Professional Treatments vs. DIY Methods
When these infestations rear their ugly heads, homeowners will have a dilemma on their hands. “Will I save more by hiring professional pest control services or employing DIY pest control strategies?” Despite popular misconceptions, the answer to this question isn’t as simple as it may appear at first glance. As professional pest control services and DIY methods fight to the death for the title of “most cost-efficient,” we can’t help but wonder: Who will come out victorious?
Before investigating the benefits of each pest control method, you might want to pinpoint the average cost of a professional pest control service. The simple answer is that it depends on many factors. However, a typical pest control visit will cost anywhere from $108 to $260, which is not far off from the national average of $173.
Whether you choose to go the professional route or take a sharp turn down the DIY path, it would be best to avoid the below costly pest control mistakes that many homeowners make.
- Hiring unqualified exterminators
- DIY with inferior products or attempting to DIY a severe infestation
- Ignoring the pest problem until it devolves into a full-blown infestation
- Signing contracts without paying attention to the finer details
Most homeowners nowadays have limited free time for pest control prevention strategies. With an infinite list of tasks to check-off, pest control might fall to the wayside. Unfortunately, an overwhelming majority of homeowners don’t take pest control seriously until it becomes an infestation. That said, if spiders in San Diego have invaded your home, you’ll need to take prompt action and put your internal end to the tug-of-war between professional pest control services and DIY methods.
How hiring a professional can save you money
Because we like taking matters into our hands, the occasional sight of a spider or cockroach prompts us to resolve the situation at hand by ourselves. While there’s nothing wrong with trying to mitigate pest-related damage using DIY methods, a severe infestation is a different ball game altogether.
By settling for DIY pest control strategies, you could end up inadvertently draining your bank account in the name of your pride. Besides flushing hundreds of dollars down the drain, opting for DIY alternatives will invite nearby pests to terrorize your home without consequence. With this in mind, consider professional pest control services for the following reasons:
Long-term solutions
DIY yields temporary solutions, as these store-bought pesticides only mask the pest problem and fail to address the root cause. On the flip side, professional extermination aims to eradicate the infestation in question for good through proper diagnosis and the selection of long-lasting treatment options.
Saving money
Besides providing long-term solutions, professionals help deter the potentially devastating effects of a pest invasion, like structural damage, saving you money.
Limited chemical use
Licensed and experienced professional exterminators use pesticides sparingly to deal with a pest invasion. The aim is to protect the environment and prevent accidental poisonings known to target your little ones and furry friends.
When DIY methods are a waste of money
A quick Google search on eradicating pests will hand you numerous DIY pest treatment solutions. But how rewarding are these all-natural DIY methods? Below are some reasons why DIY pest control might not be the most cost-effective or time-efficient solution.
When it’s time-consuming
Time is money. If a one-hour job takes you three to four hours, it’s not worth the effort. It’s even more disappointing when the project doesn’t yield the intended results.
Cost-effectiveness
Conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Do the DIY costs outweigh the benefits? If yes, shelve the idea and involve professionals.
Cases of mistaken identity
Most of the time, DIY pest control aims to treat symptoms but not the root cause. Additionally, identifying the specific pests ravaging your home can be daunting, especially when particular pest varieties look alike.
Can you tell the difference between a bat bug and a bedbug? Your guess is only as your fellow inexperienced homeowner’s. Unfortunately, a misguided assessment of the pests on the premises can result in ineffective treatment plans.
Unreliability
DIY methods work occasionally, and even then, their effectiveness is short-lived or coincidental. Additionally, most DIY strategies help you treat the pests that are visible to the naked (and untrained eye). Unfortunately for those homeowners deliberately overlooking looming threats, there’s often more than meets the eye. To this end, pests seeking shelter in your walls and other crawl spaces will continue wreaking havoc in your home.
Cost-saving strategies to use when hiring a professional
Now that you have decided to recruit a professional to put your pest infestation to a screeching halt, you’ll need to consider the below handy tips. With these tips and tricks at your aid, homeowners can save hundreds when investing in professional extermination services.
Consider referrals
Most pest control companies will offer the customer and the referrer some sizable discounts, reducing pest control costs for both parties.
Pay in advance
Some companies will give you a discount for paying upfront.
Do your homework
There are a plethora of pest control companies out there offering extermination services at varying costs. Allocating the time necessary for locating providers offering effective yet reasonably-priced services is well worth the energy spent.
Deter escalation
The pest infestation’s severity affects the total amount you pay for pest control services. Therefore, it would be wise to involve pest control experts at first sight of wandering insects or rodents. That way, the infestation won’t spiral out of hand, forcing you to cover thousands of dollars in repair costs.
Pay when needed
Avoid entering into contracts that will cost you annually, even when pests are nowhere in sight. Instead, hire pest control services on a per need basis. After all, a notable amount of infestations only require a few visits.
Parting shot
A severe pest infestation is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Exploring diverse DIY pest treatment solutions will monopolize your limited time and financial resources, while the problem at hand will remain unresolved. Why go through that ordeal when you can contact professional pest control companies? Involving professionals saves you money, time, making that nagging pest problem will be a thing of the past.
