Whenever you face a pest infestation, there’s always a tendency to see if you can solve the problem yourself. Sometimes, you successfully get the job done; other times, you might not be so successful.
If you’ve also sought advice from others on how to proceed, some will advise you to call in experts, while others will guarantee that a method they tried will work for you. It’s important to understand that anyone who advises you does so based on their own experience. And your situation will most likely differ, even if only slightly. This means that it’s vital to objectively evaluate your pest situation and have specific parameters to determine what will work best for you.
The main difference between professional pest control and home DIY methods is that hiring a professional will require less effort but is more expensive, while DIY methods require more effort and cost less.
It’s challenging to determine which option is objectively better with just that statement. However, that might begin to help you understand whether professional pest control or DIY will work better for you.
Factors to consider when deciding which pest control method is best
The issues you need to consider when asking yourself the professional pest control vs. DIY method question are:
Infestation size
Considering the scope or extent of the pest infestation you’re dealing with should be one of the first things you do. It’s easier for you to deal with more minor infestations with remedies you create at home. However, it could cause more harm than good to tackle large infestations without professional help.
When dealing with rats, for instance, misusing poison might allow them to develop immunity to the poison. However, when a professional team is onboard, the chances they will administer rat poison wrongly are low.
Cost/Budget
We previously mentioned this when discussing the main difference between the two options. You must consider how much you’re willing to spend on the pest problem. Most times, the more expensive option is usually professional pest control services, with most companies charging between $100 and $500 per hour.
DIY methods, on the other hand, depending on the pest you’re dealing with and what technique you want to use, typically cost between $30 to $400.
Time
The question to ask here is how much time you have and how much time you are willing to commit to ridding your property of pests. The time factor here works in two ways. First, how long are you ready to put up with the pests? Most DIY methods take a while before you begin to see changes. But, with professional services, the results are almost instant in most cases.
Secondly, how much time will a DIY method require from you? DIY methods, understandably, need you to commit time to prepare and maintain. If you’re busy with little time to spare, consider hiring professionals.
Longevity
Before deciding, you should factor in how long a prospective solution will realistically last for. With DIY methods, you might face the same pest problem again and again. This is because most DIY methods only tackle the problem on its surface, not its root cause. On the other hand, good and professional pest control will tackle the surface problem and its root cause and prevent a recurrence as much as possible.
Most professionals also provide a service guarantee over time, so if the pests return, they also return to deal with it for free. So, suppose you’ve tried multiple times to solve a pest problem with DIY methods, and they keep returning. In that case, it’s time to call the professionals.
Possibility of Danger
Some of the pests/animals you might need to get rid of could be dangerous. This danger could be because the animals are known carriers of diseases or because they are prone to violence. When dealing with such animals, it’s best to let professionals handle them.
Are exterminators worth it?
Exterminators are worth it when you get experienced, trustworthy and reliable ones. These exterminators can solve your pest problem on the surface and the root of the problem. Meaning they’ll do their best to ensure your problem stays far away and out of your home or property.
So, when is professional pest control better than DIY? Consider, for instance, when you have to fight off a small infestation. It will be valid to attempt it yourself in that period. However, relying on preventive pest control services before the infestation occurs may be cheaper and prevent the infestation from occurring at all. Meaning you spend less money and suffer no damage.
Some problems are never meant to be tackled as a DIY, for instance, Cockroaches, Bedbugs usually win the battle without professional advice or help. Others can cause more damage, such as closing a raccoon entry point thinking that “its left already”.
Preventive pest control is ideal in many situations. For instance, many professionals recommend an annual pest control check to ensure potential problems are spotted and curtailed before they grow. Moving into a new house or apartment also calls for preventive pest control. Before moving into a new property, a preemptive pest control check helps you understand what pest problems you are likely to face in that area. You also get to know how bad any existing pest infestations are if there are any. Doing a pest control assessment before you finalize your move is always best.
Need reliable pest control professionals in Toronto? Call SIA Wildlife Control
At SIA Wildlife, we provide a full range of pest and wildlife services. Not only do we deal with your pest problems, but we also eliminate the root cause of the pest problem. Finally, we advise you on steps to take to ensure you never have to face that again. We also offer preventive pest control services for when you’re simply carrying out general maintenance or when you’re moving into a new house.
You get speed, convenience, and long-lasting results when you hire us. Contact us today!
