When it comes to enjoying the outdoors, nothing can take away from the fun like mosquitoes. Even just the threat of them lurking around your home is enough to put a damper on the good times. For that reason, many people turn to DIY mosquito control for their yard. They buy store-bought products that promise to keep the pests away. 

As a homeowner, you’re rightfully concerned about your family’s well being and you want to do what you can to make your property safe. You might assume that professional pest control is costly and may feel there’s no reason you can’t treat for mosquitoes on your own.

But when it comes to pests as dangerous as potentially disease-carrying mosquitoes, you want to be confident that what you’re doing actually works. You shouldn’t waste your money or time when there’s so much at stake.

That’s why we’re exploring DIY mosquito spray vs. professional services in Alexandria, Arlington, or Springfield, VA.

DIY Mosquito Spray vs. Professional Mosquito Control

There are a number of different factors to keep in mind if you’re considering spraying for mosquitoes on your own. Let’s explore some of the biggest points to make sure that you’re covering all of the bases before making this decision.

Product Effectiveness

When it comes to DIY mosquito spray, the effectiveness of store-bought products can vary greatly. There are some that work OK while others really don’t work at all. You’ll have to rely on feedback from others in trying to choose the right product.

However, you can feel confident that nothing is going to be as good as a professional-grade product in which a pest control service needs to be licensed to spray it.

Product Application

A huge variance in the effectiveness of DIY mosquito control vs. professional mosquito control companies has to do with the application. A professional is trained in product handling and application whereas the average homeowner has no such training or background when it comes to using chemicals. 

Even the method of application is a big differentiator. Homeowners typically buy product that attaches to a garden hose or is applied through a store-bought backpack sprayer. But pros use a backpack blower sprayer which will coat all of the surfaces of plant tissues. Mosquitoes are known for hiding out in the cooler, harder-to-reach spots inside of plants, such as under leaves. This method of application will get much better coverage which makes a huge impact.

With no knowledge on where to treat, how to treat, or how often to treat, the effectiveness of a DIY approach is going to be drastically reduced. A professional is going to know exactly where, how, and when to apply product in order for it to work best. They are licensed and trained to know exactly what to do.

Safety Concerns

It’s also worth noting that there is a safety risk here, as well. Products are safe when applied properly. But a homeowner who doesn’t know how to handle or apply chemicals can potentially put themselves and their family at risk. There is also the issue of storing leftover chemicals in a safe way that needs to be addressed with a DIY approach. 

Application Timing

Another important point to consider is how often you’ll be able to treat your property. The effectiveness of mosquito control is increased by the ongoing scheduled applications that are being made. However, if you are trying to do it on your own, and you get busy and miss a few weeks, that effectiveness is going to drop off. 

Maybe you only have the weekends to get out in your yard and work. But what if it rains a few weekends in a row or you have other plans. 

Suddenly, you’ve fallen behind on keeping up with spraying and your family is at risk again. Not only that, but you have to consider whether DIY mosquito control is really the way you want to spend your free weekends. By hiring a pro, you avoid having to use up your time on this task.

Cost

In comparing DIY mosquito spray vs. using a pro, cost is another issue that often comes up. In fact, it’s generally the main (if not only) reason why homeowners even consider spraying their property themselves. 

While you might assume that using a mosquito control company is much more expensive, we find it’s generally cheaper than most people realize—especially when they start to factor in the cost of buying product, having to run back and forth from the store, and also possibly buying a sprayer.

Those DIY mosquito control costs start to add up and you’re not even getting any guarantee that they’re going to work. With lesser effectiveness, you might be buying product more often and spraying more regularly than had you just hired a pro. You have to remember that your time is worth something, too.

A Comprehensive Approach

One of the reasons that mosquito control is sometimes ineffective is when a homeowner (or even a professional) is not taking a comprehensive approach. 

One of the best ways to attack mosquitoes is to eliminate their breeding grounds, which on Northern Virginia properties, is often in clogged gutters. Of course, not all companies offer gutter cleaning so even though they’re treating the property for mosquitoes, they just keep breeding and returning. That can be frustrating. 

But a company that also offers gutter cleaning is taking a comprehensive approach to the problem. The result will be reduced populations and a big difference in the effectiveness of mosquito control. 

Choosing Professional Mosquito Control in Alexandria, Arlington, or Springfield, VA

If you've decided that mosquitoes are just too risky for you to take a DIY mosquito control approach with no guarantee, then you might be seeking professional services. 

While there are a lot of mosquito control companies in the area, you want to be able to feel confident that you’ve made the best choice. After all, it’s your yard and you want to be able to enjoy it to the fullest. You don’t want pests ruining your time.

Fortunately, they don’t have to. 

By investing in professional mosquito control, you can gain the peace of mind that your property is being protected. Instead of having to worry about mosquitoes choosing you and your family for their next meal, you can make your time outside enjoyable.

If you’re ready to stop worrying about the nuisance and dangers of mosquitoes, request a quote, get your customized plan, and sit back and relax as you get the royal treatment.