Hiring a professional pest exterminator can be the difference between success and disaster when getting rid of pests. Professionals are trained to rid your home of pests without causing additional problems to your family, pets, or home. Many people try to get rid of pests on their own. But without knowing what to look for or how to prevent further infestation or reinfestation, you might not be successful. This and many other reasons exist to explain why you should always hire the best pest control company you can find.
It Can Save You Money
The immediate savings of doing it yourself can seem attractive compared to the hundreds of dollars you may spend over a year on a pro. How much does a professional pest exterminator cost, anyway? Why wouldn’t you rather spend $10 on a can of bug spray instead of $100 or more for quarterly treatments?
Here’s why. If you don’t recognize termites for what they are and mistake them for ants, you could end up treating the wrong insect. When that happens, your home will suffer thousands of dollars of damage. Comparatively, monthly or quarterly treatments cost considerably less than paying for significant damage later. Being proactive will save you money in the long run.
Proper Identification Is a Must
You see a bug that looks like a cockroach, and all you can think of is that you must get rid of it. You may not realize that there are multiple types of cockroaches, and the one you saw may not respond to the insecticide you have. You may need a different bait to attract them or a way to find where they make their nest and attack from there.
Other pests, like mice and rats, can also be challenging to recognize if you don’t know the signs. For example, mice leave smaller gnaw marks than rats, but detecting the difference may be difficult for you if you don’t have a reference point. Because mice and rats have behavioral differences, you may not be able to trap them the same way. Proper identification is crucial in getting rid of them.
Pros Are Trained
Many chemicals are available on the market to the average person, but getting them falls into the “just because you can doesn’t mean you should” category. Professionals are trained to apply treatments safely and effectively. They’ll also make sure you are aware of any risks so you can keep your pets and family safe.
Something else to think about is that professional-grade chemicals are far more potent than consumer-grade insecticides. Because of their strength, professional-grade insecticides will be more effective in getting rid of the pests that invade your home.
Is It an Infestation or a Single Insect?
A lot goes into determining if you have an infestation or a pest that just happened to get inside your home. Sometimes, things get inside because you left the door open while you were bringing in groceries. Maybe something hitched a ride on a box that Amazon left at your door and came in when you brought the box inside. Some pests are also seasonal.
If you’re not sure, always call a professional to have them check your property. Certain insects also breed quickly, so if you see a couple, it’s a good idea to call a pro anyway to make sure there isn’t a hidden colony somewhere. For example, a few scouter ants mean that a colony isn’t that far away. The infestation will still be small, but the longer you wait, the quicker it will grow.
DIY or Professional Help?
You could attempt the DIY route, and you might be successful. There are dozens of insect hacks that you can find online, like a borax and sugar bait for sugar ants or dish soap and water for mosquitoes. It still goes back to the uncertainty of whether it will be enough to kill all of the pests.
Mice and rats can be especially dangerous because of the diseases that come with them. Rodents are known for spreading hantavirus, a potentially deadly disease. Rodents also harbor fleas that can carry the plague. Dealing with these pests and their side effects can be significantly more dangerous if you don’t take care of them correctly to begin with.
The Final Word in Professional Pest Control
To err on the side of caution, you should always hire a professional. If you try to take shortcuts to save some money, you could end up spending a lot more in the long run if the pests cause significant damage or even illness to you or your family.
A professional is also better equipped to identify what you’re dealing with because they’re trained to handle the situation. Additionally, pros know how to apply chemicals safely to keep you and your household safe. They’ll also be able to identify whether or not you’re dealing with an infestation or a one-off rogue pest that found its way into your home. Deciding on doing it yourself or hiring a professional is ultimately your decision, but always choose the pro when you’re not sure.
