DIY vs. Professional Pest Control: Which Is Best For You? (2024)

So, which is the better option? The answer is basically that it depends on your pest situation. Here, we’ll break down the factors to consider when choosing between DIY and professional pest control.

Size of the Infestation

An infestation of any size is a big problem, but when deciding what to do about it, you’ll want to consider your infestation’s scale. If you notice a few rogue ants or wasps in your home, a DIY plan of attack will probably do the trick. There are plenty of methods for dealing with this type of problem, including traps, store-bought pesticides and homemade solutions. And as long as you implement them correctly, they should be effective.

That said, sometimes, these methods eradicate only the immediate problem (i.e. the insects terrorizing your kitchen) instead of the heart of the matter (i.e. the colony of ants hidden behind your oven). This means that even if your DIY solution works in the short-term, you may still have a recurring pest issue on your hands. If you notice that the insects keep coming back, it might be time to call in a professional so that he or she can attack the problem at its source.

If there are large swarms of pests in your home, it may be too late to implement a DIY solution. Your best bet for a large-scale infestation is hiring a professional right away.

Cost

Up front, the cost of a professional insecticide is higher than that of a DIY hack, with most one-time pest control services costing between $250 and $550 and many DIY methods coming in somewhere between $20 and $50.

With that said, if your DIY jobs aren’t attacking your infestation at the root of the problem, you might end up spending more money trying out different solutions than you would have had you just called in a pro to begin with. It’s something to consider before you start your DIY journey.

Convenience

DIY pest control can be as simple as buying one product from your local home goods store. In some cases, you may not even have to leave the house, since there are plenty of DIY hacks that involve household staples. But professional pest control is convenient, too: with someone else handling the logistics of the extermination, you won’t have to worry about having the right equipment, using products correctly or running out of product.

Hiring a pro can get complicated, though. You’ll have to coordinate schedules, which could mean living with an infestation in your home for longer than you’re comfortable. Also, the exterminator might require you to be home during the service, which could get complicated if you have a busy schedule.

Safety

DIY pest control products may contain harsh chemicals that you’re not used to having in your home. If you use these products incorrectly or excessively, you could present a safety risk to yourself, your pets, your children and any other members of your household. Hiring a professional will significantly reduce the risk of harming anyone’s health or wellbeing.

With that said, there are those who are only comfortable using all-natural products in their homes because of health and safety concerns. If you go the DIY route for your pest control plan, you can control which substances enter your home. Some DIY insecticide hacks call for all-natural products like essential oils, vinegar and rotting fruit.

Guarantee

Depending on their manufacturer and the store you get them from, DIY products may or may not have a guarantee about their effectiveness. Generally, pest control companies will have a service guarantee that assures you they will return to your home to provide another service free of charge if your pest problem returns.

Effectiveness

As previously mentioned, DIY jobs are generally only effective for small-scale pest problems. If you’re dealing with a larger-scale infestation, a professional job is more likely to be effective.