Household pests are still a serious problem for homeowners across the United States, with the EPA accounting for Americans spending more than $9 billion every year on pest control services. These unwanted intruders cause many homeowners to consider professional pest management options.
The pest control industry has matured significantly over the last 10 years in many ways; professional pest controllers now use eco-friendly and alternative approaches in much higher percentages when tackling your issues in addition to the traditional pesticide treatment methods. When deciding whether to handle pest issues themselves or seek professional assistance, it is important to know the pros and cons of professional pest control in order to keep your home pest free in Orem.
Pros and Cons of Pest Control Service
Let us take a quick look at the pros and cons of pest control services in a table below.
| Pros | Cons |
| Professional expertise in pest identification and treatment | Chemical exposure concerns, especially for households with children or pets |
| Access to commercial-grade products and equipment | Cost—average annual contracts range from $300-$600 depending on location |
| Preventative measures reducing future infestations | Scheduling inconvenience requiring home access for treatments |
| Time-saving compared to DIY approaches | Some treatments require temporary evacuation of premises |
| Customized treatment plans addressing specific pest problems | Potential for overtreatment or unnecessary services |
| Warranty protection for recurring issues | Environmental impact from certain chemical treatments |
| Licensed technicians with safety training | Variability in service quality between companies |
| Reduced health risks from disease-carrying pests | Contract obligations that may be difficult to terminate |
Benefits of Hiring Pest Control Service
-
Evaluation Directly From Experts
Incorrect identification results in ineffective treatment in 60 percent of do-it-yourself attempts. Experts can identify pests with dissimilar treatment methods, even if they look alike.
-
Access to Professional-Grade Solutions
They use commercial-grade products not accessible to consumers. Professional-grade treatments last 3-5 times longer than store-bought treatments. They will often find less-chemical-based solutions that require less frequent application, thus limiting the amount of chemicals in your home.
-
Long-Term Prevention Strategies
Instead of waiting for problems to arise, they create prevention plans. Properties that receive a preventative service from a licensed professional experience an 82% decrease in repeat infestations than properties that only receive reactive treatments. It includes structural recommendations, sealing entry points, and scheduled maintenance treatments.
-
Health Protection Benefits
More than 14 million homes report seeing rodents every year, and these pests spread more than 35 diseases that can spread to humans. Professional pest control greatly lowers exposure to disease vectors such as ticks, mosquitoes, and rodents.
Cons of Hiring Pest Control Service
-
Chemical Exposure Risks
Even modern pest control formulations still contain potentially harmful chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that about 4,000 pesticide-exposure calls to poison control centers each year come from homes. Residual chemicals can remain active for weeks after being applied, likely affecting sensitive individuals.
-
Financial Commitment
Pest control, especially the professional kind, is hardly a small investment. Quarterly visits can cost $100-150 on average. Homeowners spend approximately $400-700 each year on routine pest control services. Just the one-time treatments for bad infestations can add up and can be very expensive; For example, termite treatments usually cost about $1,000-3,000 depending on the size of your home.
-
Scheduling Constraints
The majority of homeowner complaints about pest control services are related to scheduling inconveniences. Few companies offer evening or weekend availability, leaving busy homeowners in a bind.
-
Environmental Considerations
Many pest control practices have negative effects on the environment. Conventional pesticides also impact beneficial insects such as pollinators and natural pest enemies that contribute to the biological control of pests in the field. Poor applications have the potential to contaminate local water sources through runoff from outdoor treatments.
So, the pros and cons above can help you understand how to stay protected and whether calling a professional pest control is the right option.
Comments are closed.