The short answer is…maybe. There are many things to consider when deciding to hire a professional or try a task yourself. How difficult is it? Is it dangerous? Is there a steep learning curve? How much is it going to cost and what is my time worth?
This past summer as I drove around, I noticed many people out applying Round-Up or other weed killers to their lawns. You can buy it over the counter so it must be safe, right? There is a HUGE settlement in California against the manufacturer for people claiming they got cancer due to applying Round-Up. And yet, you can see non-trained people using this product every day! Most that I saw were wearing shorts and tee-shirts and flip flops. Not wearing the proper protective clothing when applying is a big no-no! And it tells you right on the label what you’re supposed to do. So my question to the victims who got cancer would be, “did you read and follow label directions”? My guess is the answer is no.
And this is just human behavior. Nobody likes to read the directions. My experience with DIY types when it comes to pesticides is if a little is good, a lot is better. So your typical homeowner will double or triple the amount of concentrate called for, thinking they will get a better result. What they actually get is a population of insects that become resistant to the chemical, and that makes them harder to control in the long run.
Do you have the right storage spot for chemicals away from children? Every year poison control centers get thousands of pesticide poisoning calls. And chemicals need to be stored within certain temperature ranges and with proper ventilation. Do you have that at your home?
You’ve read about someone setting off bug “bombs” and blowing up their house or apartment in the process. Not only are these aerosols not very effective, they can explode if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s expensive and dangerous.
Look, if you want to use a vacuum and some bay leaves or an ultrasonic contraption to control seasonal pests, go ahead and give it a try. But when it comes to the health and safety of you and your family you may find that it’s cheaper, more effective and safer to call a professional.
For more info on our pest control services check out our site: Residential Pest Control
