207-319-8324

Seeing an insect in your house is sure to trigger a fight or flight response. Whether you spot a cockroach or a wasp nest, bed bugs, or ants, one thing is certain – you want to get rid of it, and you want to get rid of it fast.

Some people will do a quick online search for the ‘best pest control services near me’ and call in an expert for driving out the little invaders from their home. But DIY-enthusiasts are likely to grab a pesticide from a nearby store and try to deal with the infestation on their own.

If you are one of those people who want to show the bugs who’s boss, please stop and ask yourself:

Are you aware of the hazards of DIY pest control?

You might not have stopped to think about it for a second, but as professionals with years of experience in the field, we are well aware of the risks involved in pest control. Any attempt to drive out household pests without careful planning and proper preparation can easily backfire. 

There have been various incidents where homeowners suffered physical harm, inadvertently damaged their properties, and even burned down their houses while trying to get rid of an infestation. 

You certainly don’t want a tiny creature to wreak this big havoc in your life, do you?

Here’s a detailed comparison of professional vs. DIY pest control that will help you understand why it is important to leave this job to the experts.

Health Risks

Everyone knows that pesticides can be harmful to health. You might wear a face mask or take a few extra precautions, but there’s a high probability that you will still be exposed to the strong chemicals in the aerosol spray. This can lead to respiratory problems and even trigger an allergic reaction. 

Spraying pesticides just about anywhere you spot an insect also puts your family and pets at risk as they can inhale the vapors. They can develop skin irritation or eye infection. 

Hiring a professional pest exterminator significantly reduces the health risks for you and your loved ones. An expert pest controller will inform you of the necessary safety measures that must be taken with each type of pesticide. Plus, by hiring a pest control service, you avoid direct exposure to the toxic chemicals as the spraying, cleaning, and other related measures are carried out by the exterminators. 

Home Damage

While you might be able to kill off a bug or two without the slightest damage to your belongings, can you keep your stuff safe when dealing with an entire colony of insects?

One of the biggest hazards of DIY pest control is that it can lead to property damage. For instance, you might spoil your linens when dealing with bedbugs. Or you can leave stains on the walls when spraying pesticides in the nooks and crannies around the house. 

It is not uncommon for homeowners to notice structural damage in the house, especially if they were unsuccessful in driving out carpenter ants in the first attempt.

The surviving ants dig deeper into the ground, building new colonies in hidden spots. You might think you have driven out these crawlers from your premises, but they might still be lurking in the corners. And before you notice their presence again, they might have already caused considerable damage. 

Effectiveness 

Placing traps around the house to catch rodents is extremely hazardous, especially if you have kids or pets in the house. Many people go for other insect-killing substances such as mothballs to prevent the growth of larvae and keep nuisances like ants and cockroaches at bay.

What they fail to realize is that these insecticides have the potential to cause them greater harm than the pest itself. Above all, the type of insecticide that you are using might not be suitable for eliminating the particular pests in your house in the first place.

Moreover, small doses of insecticide that are insufficient to kill off the pests can help them become immune to the substance instead. This can cause you huge trouble in the long run.

If you hire a professional pest control company rather than taking matters into your own hands, you can rest assured that the pests will be exterminated successfully. And without any harmful effects for you and your family. 

Pest control experts have up-to-date information about the best products in the market and are fully aware of what chemicals will drive out these invaders in the first attempt.

Expenses

Buying an insecticide off the shelf and applying it yourself might seem like a more cost-effective solution as compared to hiring a pest control service. While hiring a professional might cost you a little extra, it is a more permanent solution and actually proves less expensive in the long run.

DIY pest control products are usually cheap, which in other words means that they are not as effective in eradicating the infestation as the high-quality products used by experts. 

With repeated failed attempts, you might eventually be forced to seek help from the professionals. This way, you lose several dollars that you could have easily saved by calling in a pest control service directly.

On the other hand, hiring an exterminator is a one-time investment as it will wipe-off all the pests from their root source, providing you more value for your money.

Here to Help

Now that you are aware of the benefits of professional vs. DIY pest control, you might be wondering, ‘what’s the best pest control service in Maine?’

Ants Plus Pest Control is a pest exterminating company serving Central Maine and the surrounding areas.

We are a locally owned Maine based business committed to protecting the things most important to you. Whether you want to eradicate the creepy crawlers from your home or need help in determining the source or reason for an infestation in your home, we can handle it all.

Call or text us at (207) 319-8324 to learn more.