The Dangers of Trying DIY Pest Control

Why DIY Pest Control Often Backfires Badly

The Dangers of Trying DIY Pest Control

Having pests like cockroaches, ants, or mice in your home is frustrating. You might want to get rid of them yourself quickly. But trying DIY control without training comes with big risks that usually cause even worse issues later.

Read this to understand why you should always trust the pros for pest control.

1. Using Pesticides Wrong

One major danger of DIY is improper application. Beginners often use pesticides the wrong way or too much. Just spraying pesticides randomly rarely works, and usually just makes things worse by:

  • Pests build up immunity if not enough pesticide is used, making future treatments not work
  • Can dangerously expose your family and pets

Pest control professionals are extensively trained in using the right solutions in the correct ways. They know where to apply chemicals safely, like behind walls or under sinks. Attempting this without training puts your health at risk.

2. Overusing Chemicals

It’s easy for DIY-ers to think more chemicals must be better. But using too many toxic pesticides in your home harms health by:

  • Breathing issues
  • Skin rashes, allergic reactions
  • Headaches, vomiting, dizziness
  • Chemicals ending up on food prep surfaces

Also, soaking your home with pest control products could damage surfaces and materials. This leads to costly damages or very expensive repairs later.

3. Dangerous Nests Behind Walls

Figuring out exactly where and how pests get inside living spaces is tricky. The access points could be small cracks or holes located out of sight within walls, attics, basements or under appliances. But DIY pest controllers often just treat the areas you can see.

Without special imaging tools to find nesting areas, major infestations behind walls can be overlooked. This allows the problem to continue and get much worse in the long run. Professional exterminators use specialised equipment to:

  • Find all hidden entry points
  • Treat tough-to-reach problem zones safely
  • Apply targeted solutions

This prevents wasted effort treating the wrong places.

4. Not Enough Protection from Chemicals

The strong pesticides and poisons used in DIY kits are designed to kill pests like rodents and more but they can also harm humans! Many amateur pest controllers don’t wear proper protection when handling these harsh chemicals, risking:

  • Chemicals soaking through skin without gloves
  • Breathing in particles without masks
  • Hurting eyes by splashing chemicals

Also, containers without labels could lead to kids or pets accidentally eating chemicals. Always keep these locked away securely in your home.

Professionals wear all the right safety gear to avoid harming themselves or clients.

Why DIY Pest Control Often Backfires Badly

5. Storing Pesticides Unsafely With Kids at Home

Keeping pesticides within reach of kids at home can be very harmful. Children are much more sensitive to harmful chemicals. Exposure could lead to:

  • Brain and nervous system damage
  • Having problems having kids when older
  • Higher chance of cancer later in life
  • Hormone problems

Also, pesticides left out could spill into food prep areas or onto surfaces and toys kids touch a lot. Professional pest controllers keep chemicals locked away offsite so families don’t have to worry about safety.

6. Misleading Online DIY Tips

Searching online for DIY advice often misleading with bad information. Some risks are:

  • Inaccurate diagnosing – Web searches rarely give definite answers. You need an expert exam to correctly identify nesting sites and problems.
  • Outdated techniques – Suggested pest control methods could be illegal or dangerous now. Licensing makes sure professionals use best current methods.
  • Sketchy home remedies – DIY sites suggest pest control home remedies that are unproven, unsafe or ineffective despite good reviews.

Without applicable training and credentials, it’s difficult for beginners to filter good information from bad online. This wastes time and money allowing pests to become worse.

7. DIY Simply Doesn’t Work Well

If the above dangers weren’t enough, DIY pest control practice often fails despite trying your best. Even killing some visible pests, hidden eggs and babies survive and restart the pest infestation.

DIY has bad long-term results because:

  • They don’t kill pest queens, habitats or egg sacks. This allows fast new generations.
  • Beginners have no backup plan if first tries fail. Pros use different rotating pesticides and special chemicals.
  • No way to know if an area was fully treated. Follow up visits by professionals check for signs of new pests.

After failed first tries, most homeowners call affordable professionals to fully remove pests.

8. Pesticide-Proof Super Bugs

Earlier we explained how using pesticides the wrong way can cause pests in your area to become stronger against chemicals, creating “super bugs”.

Eventually even the strongest store chemicals have little effect on these resistant monster bugs. Only professionals have more advanced treatments that can get rid of these tough pests.

Call a professional pest company at the first sign of pests in your home before this gets worse long-term. Their first tries will work better than anything regular people can buy.

9. Greater Risk of Bugs Biting, Stinging or Scratching

DIY beginners trying to inspect attics or crawlspaces with stinging pests are more likely to be bitten, stung or scratched. Wasp, spider, snake and scorpion injuries are no fun without the right training and protection.

Let professionals trained in safely entering tight spaces handle these risky pests behind walls. They can remove hazards safely so families don’t have to worry.

10. Health Issues From Pesticide

Earlier we explained how left over pesticides in a home can harm health eventually, especially for:

  • Young kids
  • Pregnant women
  • Elderly
  • People with breathing issues
  • People with weak immune systems

Problems include headaches, flu symptoms, hurting brain and nerves, hormone issues and higher cancer risk later in life.

While carefully using chemicals helps reduce risk, it’s impossible for beginners to fully protect health. Professionals are better equipped to minimise health risks from leftover pesticides lingering inside homes long-term.

The Hazards Of DIY Pest Control

Leave Pest Control to the Experts

After reading this, it should be clear why pest control is best left to experienced professionals, not DIY. Trying dangerous chemical treatments without proper knowledge, training, safety protocols or proven results is irresponsible and usually fails anyway.

Plus you risk creating pesticide resistant “super bugs” or causing long-term human health problems. DIY dangers just aren’t worth it when affordable, licensed pros can solve issues safely using the latest science and training.

Don’t allow pests to keep negatively impacting your home and health. Call a top professional services today for an inspection. Their years of experience and access to special techniques and treatments not available to regular people will eliminate your invasive pest problem quickly and safely!

Pro Tip:

For professional pest control service that prevents future infestation, hire an expert that uses natural pest control products. Ask about integrated pest management services in your area. As this approach combines targeted treatments for current control of pest issues along with prevention services that proactively stop the conditions that enable infestations from establishing. The best long term solution pairs urgent removal of current pests with ongoing services addressing how they initially accessed your home environment.