Discontinue pest treatment?

KTurner · Jun 15, 2015

We have one of the big name pest control companies come out once a quarter. Each time, they spray something around the perimeter of the house and knock down any webs. We're starting to wonder if this is a necessary expense. Is this a reasonable DIY sort of thing or not worth it do DIY? If so, spray routinely or just deal with the pests as they show up? We've had the service since we moved into this house, so I don't know if there's actually pests that are being kept out or not.

BTW, this is in southeast Virginia. A family member lives next door and does not have issues with insects, other than an occasional insect. But their house was built in 1970 and I think they put some strong stuff down when they built it.

Keith

Deere Dude · Jun 15, 2015

With my 25 gallon tank sprayer I spray Bifen IT around the house foundation, shutters, overhangs bushes, inside the garages and any wood structures I have. For a house it would take about $30 worth of concentrate a couple times a year. It is a termicide so it really knocks the bugs out and keeps them out.

newbury · Jun 16, 2015

Spray routinely but know what you are killing. I try to NOT spray harmless spiders, wasps etc. unless they are directly in the way.
I spray the foundation with a termicide routinely.

Note though that having a termite contract may help resale value.

dmccarty · Jun 16, 2015

We have never had a paid service come to the house.

We do get ants from time to time and they seem to be looking for water or running from water. Sometimes they are going for the light in the house.

When I have time and remember, I spray the perimeter of the house with bug killer. This might happen every few years. :laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

riptides · Jun 16, 2015

When we did not have the time to do this ourselves, or we were not on the property, we had a bug service.

The big box stores sell "perimeter" defense sprays that seem to do the job for us.

Now if you have termites (had or nearby), it might be helpful to have a service that comes and inspects every once in a while.

bigtiller · Jun 16, 2015

I spray for crawling type bugs myself. I spray the point where the foundation meets the ground and about 6 inches up on the foundation,,,, and the door thresholds. I do that about once a month during the summer, and more often if we have a lot of rain.

OKnewguy · Jun 16, 2015

I use Do It Yourself Pest Control Products they are great. I get cyber wp, for spiders. It is a wettable powder, mix it up in a pump sprayer and we are good to go for 2-3 months. Doityourself, I believe sells the same stuff as the exterminators. It is so incredibly cheap. I bought a small tub of this stuff and it takes one small scoop to make a gallon and that takes care of one complete spray. I get 3-4 years out of one tub that cost something like $10-$20 back then.
Dave

MossRoad · Jun 16, 2015

KTurner said:
We have one of the big name pest control companies come out once a quarter. Each time, they spray something around the perimeter of the house and knock down any webs. We're starting to wonder if this is a necessary expense. Is this a reasonable DIY sort of thing or not worth it do DIY? If so, spray routinely or just deal with the pests as they show up? We've had the service since we moved into this house, so I don't know if there's actually pests that are being kept out or not.

BTW, this is in southeast Virginia. A family member lives next door and does not have issues with insects, other than an occasional insect. But their house was built in 1970 and I think they put some strong stuff down when they built it.

Keith

Why did you call the pest control company in the first place? Just curious.

KTurner · Jun 16, 2015

MossRoad said:
Why did you call the pest control company in the first place? Just curious.

Good question. I'm not sure. We had the service at our other house, before moving in here about 6 years ago. We transferred the service to this house along with our other utilities when we moved. I can't remember what prompted us to get the service at the other house.

Keith

MossRoad · Jun 16, 2015

Well.... that should get you thinking do you need it at all? Personally, I'd only get it if I had a problem I could not solve myself, like termites. If your house has a good foundation, is nice and dry, the foundation is up out of the ground a foot or so, has no air gaps in the sill or siding, has no signs of problem insects like termites, powder post beetles, etc... why spend the money to have someone treat a possibly non-existing problem? I'd just use something like this
Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer for Indoor and Perimeter 1 - Indoor Insect Control - Ortho
and spray it on the foundation of the house as directed and up under the edge of the siding. I do this once in the spring and once in the fall and the only insects inside our house are the ones that come in on the firewood, or those pesky stink bugs that show up every fall and spring. Spiders don't bother us. We use them as a gauge for other insects. Dead spiders in empty webs means they're starving. That's good.