The Hidden Dangers of DIY Pest Control: Why Professional Expertise Matters

In today’s day and age, you can find a DIY solution to almost any problem, including pest control. From grocery stores to hardware stores, you can find pest control sprays and traps that claim to keep your home pest-free. But how effective are these solutions? Did you know that they can even be dangerous? We explain why you should think twice before spending your money on store-bought, DIY pest control solutions. 

Working with Dangerous Chemicals

Most pest control solutions will have strong chemical compounds to eliminate a type of pest. While these can sometimes be a quick fix for small, isolated issues, you’re working with potentially harmful chemicals inside and around your home. If used incorrectly, you could accidentally breathe in the spray or get it on your hands—causing irritation and even poisoning. These chemicals can be particularly harmful to young children and pets. In fact, 90% of pesticide poisoning cases in children happen inside the home. Even traps, if not placed properly, can become a hazard to children and pets. 

Using the Wrong Solution

When you walk into a store looking for pest control products, you’re met with several different sprays, traps, and methods to use. It can be easy to think any of them could work and just grab whichever is most convenient for you. But not all pest control solutions are the same. Without the help of an exterminator, you run the risk of choosing a product that won’t actually solve your issue. In fact, using the wrong product can even make the pest issue worse if the poison used also harms their natural predators. This leads to an unnecessary cycle of returning to the store and looking for a solution when the root issue isn’t even being addressed—causing more harm than good in the long run.

Underestimating the Issue

Without a thorough inspection, it’s hard to determine how big an infestation actually is. Seeing a couple of ants may not seem like a huge cause for concern, but many pests, such as ants, can hide in small cracks and crevices in your home where you may not even see them. Often, seeing a small amount of a pest is a symptom of a much larger infestation. Without going with a skilled pest technician, you may not see how big an infestation is and underestimate the pest problem in your home—potentially resulting in a larger pest population and home damage. 

Structural and Environmental Harm

If used improperly, store-bought pest control solutions can cause harm your home and the local environment. Pest control sprays can damage your home’s paint, walls, wires, and furniture—not to mention if used inside, it can reduce the air quality of your home. 

If you use pest control sprays or traps outside, you may be putting the environment at risk. DIY pest control solutions have been known to kill grass and plants. Traps and poisons can harm other animals—such as birds, squirrels, and even neighborhood pets—if not properly selected. This can cause a population spike of the original pest you were trying to eliminate since its natural predators are being harmed. 

Spending Extra Money

Ultimately, with so many ways DIY pest control solutions can actually make a situation worse, you may find yourself spending a lot more money than you initially planned. Whether it’s from constantly buying new pest control products, repairing home or yard damage, or even a doctor’s or vet’s visit from accidental ingestion, doing pest control yourself can become pricy quickly. Usually, you’ll end up saving more money by going with a professional pest control technician in the first place rather than trying to eliminate the pest yourself. 

Call in the Professionals with Pest Control Technicians, Inc. 

If you’re looking for safe pest control in the Philadelphia area, PCT has all the pest control services you need. We know what to look for to determine the scale of an infestation and have pest control solutions available that are safe for you, your family, and the environment. No need to worry about being exposed to harmful chemicals or dealing with recurring pests. We even offer same-day pest control services for Philadelphia, PA, and the surrounding areas. If you’re ready to stop searching for a DIY pest control solution and go with a pest control company that works, contact us today for a free quote!