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Your Two Cents

Bugging Out on the Cheap

By
Clark Howard Web Team
@ September 11, 2009 1:01 PM
Permalink | Comments (3)
I recently read in the Atlanta Journal Constitution that consumers can do their own pest control and they can purchase professional pest control products to do it.

Instantly the amount of money I spend annually on my pest control service lit up in my mind. In today's financially strapped times almost everyone is looking for a way to save a buck. Oil changes are done at home more and more, folks are doing their own home repairs and landscaping...so why not do my own pest control?

I did a Google search on "do my own pest control" and several companies popped right up. I called a couple of the companies (to see what type of advice and customer support they offered). They both suggested the same product, but only the first company walked me through how and when to use the product.

I spent about $35 for the same product my pest control company was using. I have enough product to make about 25 gallons of spray, enough for over 1 year! As an added bonus, the company I used offers FREE SHIPPING on every order, every time!

I would definitely suggest that anyone willing to roll up their sleeves and spend some time working around their home try doing their own pest control. I literally saved over $300. I only needed insecticide products, but I did notice products for just about every imaginable pest situation including rats, mice, squirrels, birds, bedbugs, roaches and many others.

Jill Pierce, Georgia


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What others are saying

  • Is it legal for Florida consumers?
    Haven't verified this but my Pest Control Co. told me I cannot buy the same product they use per Florida statute. They also told me the stuff I can buy over the counter is ineffective against certain problem posts (ghost ants in my case).
  • Read Instructions Carefully!
    I am a formulation development lab technician for a major agrichemical company. The first commenter was wise in instructing us to read the labels carefully. Most reputable brands invest heavily in toxicity research and formulation development; the use rates and application guidelines (as well as the research) are regulated extensively by the EPA and should be headed religiously.

    Be extremely careful in following personal exposure instructions!! The toxicisty and safety cautions on the label or Material Safety Data Sheet are written for a target range of exposure; exceeding them can easily result in health hazards.
  • Be safe!
    This truly is a great way to save dough. However, before using any pest control product READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY and follow the directions to a "T." If not mixed or applied properly they can do much more harm than good. They can make you, your family, and your pets extremely sick or even cause death. If you purchase your own pest control material and have any difficulty whatsoever understanding the instructions for use DON'T USE IT!!
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