But by applying your own pesticides you can save up to 75 percent versus hiring the professionals. And even more cost effective, if you get proactive now, it will save you even more money in the long run.
The first day of spring brought rain to the area and in just a few days.
"There will be this tremendous boom of mosquitos," said Keith McCoy with Solutions Self Chem.
McCoy says it's time to start treating for mosquitos, fleas, bees and wasps. At his store, you can purchase the chemicals and supplies to do it yourself.
So to show you just how easy it is to do your own pest control, the ABC13 pest control team is going to go to work
First up: mosquitos. You will want to use a chemical like cyzmic. You can spray this on plants, lawns and shrubs; just stay away from vegetable plants. The price of cyzmic is $46.99, but the concentrate makes 16 gallons.
"You are going to get anywhere from 20 to 50 to 60 applications out of that product," McCoy said.
You can use a pump spray to spray in the shrubs, in the mulch and on the lawn. Spray along the house and perimeter of the property too. The cost to apply one treatment by the pros is $75 to $150 depending on the size of your lawn. The do-it-yourself chemical treatment costs $3.
Next up: treating for fleas. As the weather warms up they tend to be a problem, especially if you have pets.
McCoy told us, "Once they start to hatch, then they are looking to feed on whether it be your dog, your cat, raccoons, whatever is in the area."
So use a product like Fenva Star Eco Cap for $34.99. On the outside spray by the doors, lawn and against the house. Inside the home cover the entire floor, baseboards and corners. Wait for the product to dry before stepping on the floor.
The pros charge $100 to $200 to treat the inside and the outside of the home. The do-it-yourself chemical treatment costs $5.
And finally if bees and wasps are your problem.
"As your flowering plants begin to bloom certainly that creates more activity with bees," said McCoy.
Defense Dust sells for $22.99 for a pound. Put some product into the pump. Then as long as the area is safe to get to, pump out the dust into weep holes and crevices in your home. Expect to save 75 percent of what the pros charge to treat bees and wasps.
Safety is always an issue when you are working with chemicals. Wear pants, a long-sleeve shirt, gloves and a mask to prevent accidents. There is an upfront investment of about $35 on pumps and sprayers. Protect your investment by giving them three to four rinses when you are done.
As for ants, they are always going to be an issue but you can also treat it with a chemical and expect a temporary fix.
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