1. Seal entry points around your home including foundation gaps, siding joints, vents, soffit gaps and window screens and doors
2. Remove excess brush and tree limbs from the exterior of your home. Leave at least a 1′ gap between your home and your plants. Do not leave places for rodents and birds to take shelter near your home.
3. Clean up trash and sources of food from the home’s exterior. Keep compost and wood piles far from your home. Take out your trash regularly and keep it covered when stored.
4. Keep your home’s interior clean and don’t leave food out. Remove and crumbs, spills or leftovers from surfaces and on the floors. Keep your dry food in sealed storage containers and off the ground.
5. Identify pests in your environment – Consult our rodent control page for tips on rodents, gopher control, bird control and for all insect pests, view our general pest page here. These pest-specific pages will give you DIY pest control tips for ants, cockroaches, bees and more.
6. Ask us to come out for a free inspection! Let us walk around your property with you to set up a DIY pest control strategy that suits you best.

We highly encourage the DIY pest prevention techniques listed above. Staying vigilant and keeping a clean environment is the best tactic you can take for DIY pest control. However, not all DIY pest control solutions are effective or cheaper in the long run. Here are some common myths about DIY pest control.

1. Over the counter pesticides are just as effective. Depending on the insect or rodent in question, some DIY pest control products simply lack the firepower that a licensed pest control company can use. These stronger chemcials or traps often also require additional application training and safety equipment to apply. Even store bought chemicals should be applied using protection.
2. DIY Traps are Foolproof. Our experienced technicians know how, where and when to set traps. Just like with pesticides traps are more effective than others. Having access to top tier traps and leveraging years of experience to set them effectively can make all the difference in a rodent outbreak.
3. Pest Control is a One Time Fix. There is a reason we offer regular pest control prevention and maintenance – it works! Time, weather and vegitation (weeds) can all impact the efficacy of pest control products. DIY solutions can also lack the staying power that commercial pest control products provide. In San Diego, pest control is an ongoing process. Regular inspections and maintenance can save you from spending big money down the road.
4. DIY Pest Control is Always Cheaper. Doing it yourself may save money up front, but experienced pest control professionals know where and what to look for. If you miss something, or don’t stay on top of pest control, your problem will likely continue. We see DIYers repeat attempts, damage property, and eventually call us for a long-term solution.

We always encourage our clients to stay on top of pest control prevention, but when it comes to DIY pest control extermination, it’s important to be aware of these common myths.