If you’ve noticed a pest issue in your property, you may think that you can deal with it yourself quickly and easily. For the sake of cost-savings, a DIY option may seem like the best idea in the moment.
However, in reality, these issues are often far less manageable than they first seem.
This is because pests rarely disappear after just one treatment. So, in most cases, your initial attempt is followed by a series of recurring spending and a lot of wasted time. Then, in parallel, the ongoing issue poses a high risk of more extensive and costly property damage, and an altogether unpleasant period knowing that the issue remains.
In this article, Pestco’s team have shared their expert insights into the downsides of a DIY pest control approach, and the hidden associated costs of delaying speaking to a professional.
The real cost of DIY pest control
For most property owners, it’s hard to properly assess how quickly the cost of DIY treatments add up.
Generally speaking, the typical costs can seem very reasonable. With an initial spray or bait costing between £20-£80.
But, if we factor in repeat purchase (when the first attempts fail), this can build up to between £60-200 total (depending on how many repeat treatments are needed).
Equally, if you initially selected the wrong product (or the product you chose was ineffective), then there’s the cost of material waste plus re-purchasing products.
Then, there’s the extensive time investment. You’ll need to research the right products and methods, then conduct multiple applications, and consistently monitor the results over weeks or even months. Before you know it, this can lead to several days of wasted time.
Arguably most importantly, there’s also the high risk of costly mistakes. If errors are made, then you risk costly property damage (due to ineffective treatment). Or, if your DIY approach doesn’t work, and the issue is allowed to persist, then this can lead to rodent wiring damage (£500-2000), woodworm structural issues (£5000+), or the need to replace fabrics and furnishings (£100-£2000+). If your property is part of a business (e.g. an AirB&B), then the presence of bed bugs could lead to major reputation damage, and long-term lost income.
The true cost of professional pest control treatments
In comparison, professional treatment is often far more affordable than you may expect.
In the UK, the typical price for professional pest control treatments ranges from:
- Rodent treatment: £150-£300
- Bed bug treatment: £300-£500
- Woodworm treatment: £200-£600
What’s more, these prices usually include more than a one-off visit. These costs generally cover:
- Full diagnosis
- Commercial-grade treatments
- Entry point inspection
- Pest-proofing advice or sealing
- Follow-up visits (if required)
- Service guarantees
- Compliance documentation
Plus, not only does professional treatment save you a huge amount of time and effort, but they can also save you a lot of money in terms of compliance and certification.
For instance, enlisting a professional can help support insurance protection, and also help you to secure BPCA certification. This can be particularly valuable for landlords and commercial properties.
When can DIY pest control make sense?
However, this isn’t to say that DIY pest control approaches are always the wrong call.
In some instances, they can resolve issues quickly and effectively.
Scenarios where a DIY approach can typically work include:
- A one-off, isolated sighting of a pest
- Very minor issues
- Non-recurring issues
- Preventative measures (in otherwise clean, low-risk properties)
- External pest concerns
When should you call a professional?
We would highly recommend enlisting a professional pest controller if any of the following apply:
- There are multiple sightings of pests
- There are signs of pests breeding
- There are associated health risks (e.g. if the pests are rodents or bed bugs)
- Pests are present in structural areas (e.g. walls or lofts)
- Previous DIY attempts have failed
- The pests are present in a commercial or rented property
- Certification or documentation would be needed
At PestCo, we are one of the UK’s leading pest control specialists.
Trusted by countless properties throughout the UK, we specialise in an efficient, discreet, precise and affordable service. We are also fully insured and accredited.
To find out more about our services, or to enlist the assistance of our dependable team, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
