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How can I treat bed bugs myself?

Bed bugs are among the most difficult pests to treat. Low-level bed bug infestations can be hard to detect and DIY methods aren't as reliable. These parasitic insects are resistant to many insecticides and over-the-counter products and can require multiple treatments. Additionally, bed bugs resemble other insects so, if not properly identified and treated, they can continue to propagate.

Should you find bed bugs in your home, these do-it-yourself tips may help:

• Run clothing, bedding, and other smaller soft items through a dryer for at least half an hour at the highest setting. Afterward, seal them in plastic bags until the entire home has been treated.
• Heat your home to at least 120°F for 90 minutes to kill bugs and eggs on items that won’t fit in a dryer.
• Purchase do-it-yourself kits that contain mattress encasements and products designed to treat bed bugs.

Self-administered foggers are not an effective form of treatment when used independently as they don’t reach into the areas bed bugs hide. They may also force the bugs to migrate to another area of your home, spreading the infestation. Drying agents called desiccants can be effective, though they may take months to work. Both foggers and desiccants should be used with caution as they may pose health risks to people and pets.

The best way to treat a bed bug problem is to hire a pest control professional who will utilize integrated pest management methods to address the issue.

Can I treat citronella ants myself?

As noted, citronella ants are extremely territorial; they will attack if threatened. Trying to treat a citronella ant mound with granular pesticides with a do-it-yourself method not only may be ineffective, but this also puts you in danger of being attacked. If you spot a citronella ant mound on your property, the best course of action is to contact a pest control professional who is trained to safely identify, treat and eliminate citronella ant colonies.

DIY Flea Treatment

Once you’ve spotted a flea, act quickly! The presence of a live flea means there are likely eggs and pupae nearby. Most do-it-yourself solutions target adult fleas but do not prevent those in earlier stages from developing. To minimize the spread of fleas, follow the preventative steps we've outlined. However, a flea problem can be difficult to control, so your best bet is to hire a professional exterminator.

How To Treat Flies

Many off-the-shelf DIY products are designed to target the variety of fly species. Use these remedies with caution, as they can be harmful to your family and pets if applied incorrectly. Do-it-yourself solutions often only treat adult populations; therefore, you should plan on re-treating as eggs hatch and larvae develop. If you experience a problem with flying insects, a pest control professional can identify the type of fly and treat it appropriately at all stages of its lifecycle.

DIY Mosquito Treatments

Some do-it-yourself treatments may help manage small mosquito populations:

• Apply an over-the-counter insecticide. These will kill mosquitoes on contact, but will not prevent new ones.
• Add bacteria called bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (or Bti) to water where larvae are found. Bti produces proteins that become toxins once ingested by the larvae.
• Place mosquito traps in infested areas. These traps are capable of killing thousands of mosquitoes per day.
• Avoid bug zappers. While these machines kill other types of insects, they have proven to be ineffective for mosquito problems.

Mosquitoes pose a serious health hazard and should be professionally treated if found in large numbers.

DIY methods of rodent control

Do-it-yourself baits and traps may attract rodent intruders. However, if not properly administered, they can also be harmful to people and pets. A pest control professional can evaluate your property to determine how to best prevent and treat pesky rodents.

DIY Silverfish Treatments

Should you identify the presence of silverfish in your home, these do-it-yourself solutions may give you some relief:

• Trap silverfish using a glass jar. Place a starchy food like bread inside the jar to attract the silverfish. Wrap the outside of the jar with masking tape to give the pest traction to climb. Once inside, the silverfish cannot climb back out of the slick glass walls. This approach will remove silverfish, but not their eggs or those insects who don’t climb into the jar.
• Use purchased baits. Baits attract silverfish to a sticky surface which prevents them from moving. Like traps, baits do not treat the cause of a silverfish infestation.
• Apply diatomaceous earth. This desiccant removes moisture, ultimately drying up the silverfish. While not toxic, diatomaceous earth is a lung irritant and should be handled very carefully.
• Use chemical treatments. Powders and sprays containing boric acid, pyrethrins, or pyrethroids are effective at repelling silverfish. However, these compounds should not be used in areas where pets or children are likely to come into contact with them.

Often, destruction done by silverfish is attributed to moths or other insects, allowing the real culprit to continue to reproduce until discovered. A professional pest control service can discern the source of damage and treat appropriately and effectively.

DIY Methods

Insecticide sprays designed for bees, wasps, and hornets can be effective when they make contact with the insect. However, they can also irritate a nest, causing it to become more active. Also, bees are important pollinators that help our crops grow, but they are on the decline worldwide. It is advisable not to kill the bees if possible. Because of the high degree of danger associated with stings, the best way to handle a bee, wasp, or hornet issue is to contact a licensed pest professional who can remove or relocate the nest.

DIY Termite Treatments

Do-it-yourself insecticides and baits are available but can be ineffective if not applied correctly. Their contents can also be harmful to people and pets. The best way to prevent termites is to contact a pest control professional who specializes in termite treatment.

DIY Tick Treatment

Should you find a tick on a person or animal, the most effective way to remove it is by using pointy tweezers. Using the tweezers, grab the tick’s head as close as possible to the host’s skin and pull. This will lessen the potential for harmful germs to be forced into the host. Wash the affected area with soap and water or alcohol and apply an antibiotic cream. If you or your pet develops any unusual symptoms, visit a doctor or veterinarian. A professional tick treatment is a powerful option for tick control.

If you’re looking for some natural home remedies to prevent voles from causing further damage to your garden, here are some of the best DIY methods:

• Garlic: This eco- and family-friendly solution is not only inexpensive, but it also has long-lasting effects. Given the strong odor put off by garlic cloves, voles are deterred from coming near anything giving off its distinct smell. Simply place a clove around the plants most susceptible to vole damage in your yard and they will refrain from coming near any trace of garlic’s odor.
• Wire Mesh: This is a great method for anyone looking for a way to keep voles out for a longer duration of time. Wire mesh can easily be cut to size and placed around the roots of your plants to prevent voles from burrowing into the soil. Once they are unable to feed off the vegetation in your garden, they will go elsewhere in search of more favorable conditions.
• Cayenne Pepper: While great for cooking, this hot and spicy ingredient is highly irritating to voles trying to feed off your garden. Cayenne pepper is an easy and natural way to keep voles away from your plants. Add a few teaspoons of powdered cayenne pepper to a spray bottle filled with water and apply as needed around areas of your yard frequented by voles.