The Dangers of DIY Pest Control

Why DIY Pest Control is Too Risky

The Dangers of DIY Pest Control

We’ve all been there, you spot an unwelcome pest scurrying across your kitchen floor or crawling up your bedroom wall. Your first instinct may be to run to the hardware store, grab the strongest chemical pesticide you can find, and attack the intruder yourself. However, while it may seem like the quickest and cheapest solution, attempting do-it-yourself pest control can cause more harm than good.

1. Improper Pesticide Use

One of the biggest risks with DIY pest control practices is that most homeowners do not properly know how to use pesticides. These are serious chemicals that can be very dangerous if used incorrectly. Here are some of the most common mistakes:

  • Not following label instructions – The product label provides important safety guidelines for information and directions on how much to use, where to apply it, and how often. Going against this can lead to health risks and ineffective solution.
  • Over and improper application – Using too much pesticide can contaminate your home and the environment. It may also increase exposure risks for pets and humans.
  • Applying it too frequently – Similarly, treating too often builds up excessive amounts of toxins inside and outside the home.

2. Chemical Exposure Dangers

Accidentally ingesting or touching certain pesticides can cause mild to severe poisoning symptoms, such as:

  • Headaches, dizziness, nausea
  • Breathing difficulties or respiratory issues
  • Vision problems
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Skin and eye irritation
  • Seizures

Certain ingredients have also been linked to much more severe human health issues like reproductive issues, cancers, immune system damage, endocrine disruption, and even death in some situations. Children and pets are particularly vulnerable.

3. Insufficient Safety Gear

DIYers often do not wear proper protective equipment like gloves, respirators, goggles, and protective clothing when handling pesticides. This greatly raises the risk of chemical absorption through the eyes and skin. It also increases the chances of spilling on yourself.

4. Ineffective Treatments

Most amateur pest control attempts fail to get rid of infestations. The products available at your local hardware store are largely limited to sprays and baits. These are mostly made for mild, small-scale issues. More severe cases often require professional-grade chemicals, specialised equipment like fumigators and dust applicators, and methods like heat treatments and crack and crevice applications.

Without sufficient knowledge and experience with pest control products and procedures, DIY attempts often spread, fail to kill insect eggs and larvae, or make pests disperse to other parts of the home.

5. Pest Misidentification

Before you treat any pest problem, you first need to correctly identify the exact species you want to target. Otherwise, you may use the wrong control methods altogether. Some amateur mistakes include mixing up:

  • Cockroaches and water beetles
  • Termites and ants
  • Fleas and carpet beetles
  • Pantry pests like grain weevils and flour beetles

Getting it wrong can mean costly damage, unnecessary pesticide exposure, and wasted time, money, and health hazards.

6. Pesticide Resistance

Just as bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics with improper or excessive use, insects and rodents can develop genetic resistance when pesticides are misused or overused. This can make your pest infestation much harder to treat in the future.

7. Wasted Time and Money

With an average DIY pest management failure rate of 50-80%, you end up dumping a lot of supplies and effort down the drain. Once you factor in the health risks, property damages, and other backfires, it makes much more sense to spend a little more upfront and let pest control professionals handle it safely and effectively.

Why Call Professional Pest Control Service

As you can see, DIY pest control method may seem like the cheaper and quicker solution at first glance, but it poses many immediate and lasting risks that far outweigh any temporary savings. The smartest option is to avoid taking matters into your own unqualified hands and partner with reputable local pest control experts right from the start instead. Professional service offers you the assurance of ethical, eco-friendly, and effective treatments administered properly by highly trained specialists. So you can nip home invaders in the bud and prevent future infestation while keeping your family, pets, property, time, money, and health protected as well.

Article written by Paul Raymond From Pro Pest Control in Perth.