People will often ask us what we consider to be the best do-it-yourself pest control option. And even though we believe the kind of thorough, professional service we offer is always going to be the better choice, there are some DIY home options that are certainly worth your time and money.
In our opinion, the best do-it-yourself pest control option is Ortho Home Defense. Before you rush out and grab a bottle (available for about $15/gallon at most home improvement and hardware stores), however, keep in mind that like all pest control solutions, even Ortho has its pros and cons.
To get a in-depth look at this product, watch the video below.
A Do-It-Yourself Pest Control Option
Effectiveness
Ortho Home Defense is a very good product, but it’s not quite as good as the label would have you believe. While it will definitely help keep pests away, quite simply it will not last for up to 12 months – no commercially available poison will. In truth, you’ll probably get about 30 days of protection, which isn’t bad, but it isn’t 12 months.
Application
If you’re using Ortho, you should also be aware that its effectiveness will be impacted by how much attention you pay to application. For instance, you should stick to spraying on vertical surfaces up to about two feet off the ground and the immediate perimeter in order to create a barrier. If you spray very far out onto the ground or in the mulch surrounding your home or business, rain will dilute the poison or direct sunlight will burn it out, either of which will reduce its effectiveness to about a day or two, at best.
Also keep temperature in mind when applying the poison. Especially here in northern Wisconsin, a warm, sunny day in the spring is often followed by a very cold night, and the chemical in Ortho Home Defense will break down and lose its effectiveness in temperatures below 55 degrees.
The Erdye’s Difference
So why is a professional service better than a do-it-yourself pest control option like Ortho Home Defense? At Erdye’s, we go the extra mile to make sure our pest treatment is as thorough and effective as possible, mainly by:
- Spraying at the right time – We’ll wait to make sure those cold overnight temperatures aren’t going to sabotage your treatment
- Spraying the entire house – We have the experience and know-how to do the job right, covering the entire walls and getting into hard-to-reach areas like under soffits and behind downspouts
Above all, we’ll do more than just spray – we’ll provide a FREE comprehensive inspection to be sure your home or business is fully protected and pest-free. Contact Erdye’s Pest Control today to find out how we can help!
