Bugs (termites, roaches, ants, beetles, etc), rodents (typically rats or mice) and other pests are the bane of most homeowners. In areas that have extreme seasonal shifts in weather or special living conditions, pest infestations problems can be rampant. Folks in these conditions generally have to call in a pest exterminator to come in and help corral the issue and better prevent problems down the line.
Professional Pest Control Prices
So how much exactly does a pest exterminator cost? Getting professional exterminators to come look at your home can be an expensive, but necessary, proposition for many homeowners. The amount you’re going to have to pay is going to vary by a few factors. One such factor is the size of the home. Exterminators typically use chemicals or traps in order to resolve your problems, and thus the more area an exterminator must cover the more your going to need to spend. There will probably be a base line hourly rate built into the cost of service as well. This is of course meant to compensate the individual responsible for conducting the extermination.
The typical monthly or quarterly fee for the most basic forms of pest control will be around $30 to $60, taking care of preventive measures against the usual insect and rodent pests around the outside of the home. For most people this is enough, but for indoor jobs expect to pay up to $100 for a visit as it can take longer. More intense pests, like termites, can easily cost you $1,200 and up for pest exterminators to come and take care of the problem. Of course, termites require more extensive measures and yearly check ups.
Why Hire a Professional Exterminator?
Hiring a professional pest control exterminator has numerous benefits, namely you don't have to deal with the problem yourself. A much better reason to hire someone is for their knowledge. A number of chemicals and products are used for pest control purposes that an unfamiliar, unknowing homeowner may use in excess or the wrong way. This can lead to complications such as becoming sick or an accidental poisoning due to exposure to whatever pest control product you’re using. If you have pets the problem can become even worse as they like to smell, eat, and lick everything in a house. Having certified exterminators come in and deal with the problem will save you from unintended consequences that doing the job yourself can cause.
Not knowing which solution or products you may need to deal with your problem is another issue. Pest control, whether done yourself or by a professional, can be costly. It will be even more so if you have to apply different kinds of treatments and then call the local pest exterminators anyway, because you didn't know which to choose to begin with. Again, hiring exterminators with experience from the get go can save you from having such a situation from occurring.
The Other Option - DIY
Obviously, despite the above warning, many of you will attempt to be exterminators yourselves. This is in fact fine if your pest problems are relatively small and easy to deal with. Otherwise you’re paying an exterminator $30 to $60 an hour for something that could cost you $12 at Wal-Mart to take care of. Below are a number of the basic solutions that may be handy to your situation. For further inquiries about side stepping the need for professional pest control, please look around the site for solutions for various pest problems. You can also check out
www.doyourownpestcontrol.com, another site that recommends DIY pest control and provides potential solutions for a variety of pests.
1) Traps: Usually used for rodent and small creatures (think squirrels or raccoons), traps are a way to capture a critter without actually killing it. You then have the option of releasing it elsewhere or passing it over to pest control exterminators whom will release if elsewhere for you.
2) Sprays: These are typically the kinds of pest control products that you'll find in your local department or home and garden type stores. Common brands of sprays include Raid and Maxforce and many different kinds of generic companies also exist. Best used for preventive measures in order to avoid the need for exterminators, sprays are a great way to keep ground based insects out. Ants particularly are susceptible to these kinds of products.
3) Baits: Most bait is of the poisonous kind and is meant to kill either rodents or bugs. Being poisonous, use these pest control measures carefully when pets or small children are present in the home.
Some pests simply need a professional exterminator’s expertise. Termites and bed bugs are such examples of problems that need help from an experienced pest control exterminator. These bugs can be persistent and takes the care of a professional to truly eliminate completely.
Question/Answer
What are simple things I can do to help keep insects and pests out of my home?
Well, there are a number of simple things that you can do to better control your pest problems and avoid the need for an exterminator. Most times, insects or animals are simply looking for access to water or food. Keeping all counters clean of food and taking care of standing water will generally keep most invaders out. Also, spraying around the outside perimeter of the house with off the shelf sprayers and keeping bug repellent plants around the home are other great pest control methods you can do at home.