We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
While a professional pest control service may be the most effective way of keeping creepy crawlies out of one’s house, such services often aren’t in the annual household budget. Fortunately, there are subscription-based pest control DIY kits that offer a similar level of protection at a fraction of the cost. Many even use the same chemicals and methods the pros use.
These subscription-based services send customers a pest control DIY kit customized to suit the size of their home or yard and the pests they are battling. These kits also take the guesswork out of pest control by including detailed instructions for how to apply the product. Ahead, shoppers can learn more about what to look for in the best DIY pest control services.
- BEST OVERALL: Sunday Lawn Care
- RUNNER-UP: Pestie
- ALSO CONSIDER: DoMyOwn Pest Box
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best DIY Pest Control Subscription Services
Understanding what types of pests these services target and the chemicals they use to take them out are just two key factors to consider when shopping for a DIY indoor pest control service. Ahead, shoppers can learn more about these and other factors.
Types of Pests Treated
A DIY pest control product isn’t much good if it doesn’t work on the pests that are invading one’s home or yard. When shopping for a DIY pest control service, customers will first want to identify which pests are creating problems in the yard, then identify the service that offers solutions designed to eliminate those invaders. Customers won’t want to assume that just any pest control system will work for their property. For example, if a customer is specifically looking to tackle grubs in the garden, it’s best to look for specific DIY garden pest control products rather than those designed for more general usage.
Likewise, shoppers will want to consider the effects the pesticide may have on beneficial insects, such as honey bees, ladybugs, and earthworms. Keeping these factors in mind, customers can choose a product that best targets their pests while doing minimal collateral damage to other insects.
Active Ingredients and Potential Risks
Many ingredients in DIY pest control sprays from subscription services are the same as those of professionals, meaning customers can trust the products’ efficacy. But even DIY natural pest control products aren’t entirely without risk. With all chemicals, the dose makes the poison, so it’s often better to discuss the risk of a certain pesticide rather than its safety. A product can be extremely safe to humans and pets in the dosages it’s applied on a lawn, but it won’t be safe if it’s ingested.
Toxicity is typically classified into four categories:
- Highly toxic: A few drops of this ingredient ingested could be fatal to a 150-pound adult.
- Moderately toxic: A teaspoon to an ounce of this ingredient ingested could be fatal to a 150-pound adult.
- Slightly toxic: An ounce of this ingredient ingested could be fatal to a 150-pound adult.
- Relatively or practically nontoxic: Over an ounce of this ingredient ingested could be fatal to a 150-pound adult.
All this being said, some customers prefer more “natural” products, and there are certainly precautionary steps that customers can take when evaluating a pest control product’s ingredients. Customers with pets will especially want to keep an eye out for DIY pet-friendly pest control products. Those who live near aquatic environments such as oceans, rivers, and lakes will want to consider how the chemicals they use to treat their home may impact these fragile ecosystems. Runoff from chemicals can seep into the groundwater or local waterways, so it’s essential to follow the company’s directions for applying these products. Products with these risks will typically advise users not to apply the products if rain is expected within 24 hours.
In general, reputable pest control subscription plans will provide detailed instructions on how best to use the products to minimize risk. Below are some popular pest control ingredients and their potential risks.
| Pyrethrin |
|
| Cedar oil |
|
| Lemongrass oil |
|
| Geraniol |
|
| Canola oil |
|
| Cottonseed oil |
|
| Diatomaceous earth |
|
| Citronella oil |
|
| Cinnamon oil |
|
| Clove oil |
|
| Spinosad |
|
| Indoxacarb |
|
| Lambda-cyhalothrin |
|
| Thiamethoxam |
|
| Imidacloprid |
|
| Beta-cyfluthrin |
|
Plan Customization
One of the advantages of a DIY pest control subscription is that the products are tailored to meet the needs of the property. Companies accomplish this by using the customer’s geographic location to determine what pests they are most likely to encounter. The services can then use this information to choose the right active ingredients to include in the pest control products it sends out.
In addition to location, these services also assess the size of the home to determine how much product the customer needs to treat their pest problem. This level of customization sets these services apart from the various DIY pest control products available at local home improvement stores.
Subscription Plans and Cost
DIY pest control subscriptions often price their products at monthly, quarterly, or annual rates. The total price typically depends on the size of the property and the type and quantity of products required to treat it. Opting for a yearly subscription gives customers a discount, but many customers may want to try the product out before committing to a full year.
Our Top Picks
The services below offer some of the most effective and affordable ways to handle pest control with products and ingredients similar to those used by some of the best pest control companies. Whether a customer wants gentler DIY organic pest control or needs a heavy-duty solution to wipe out an infestation, this list contains the best options.
Best Overall
Sunday Lawn Care
Why It Made the Cut: Sunday Lawn Care provides customized pest control products to meet each customer’s specific needs while employing relatively low-risk ingredients.
With its use of low-risk ingredients and ability to customize each shipment to meet the specific needs of its customers, Sunday offers the best all-around option for DIY pest control. When signing up, users complete a quick online questionnaire that allows Sunday to customize their package by location and needs. Once the customer subscribes, Sunday ships the treatments and detailed step-by-step instructions for when and how to apply the pesticides. Customers sign up for an entire year up front and will receive the next package when it’s time to reapply the products.
Since Sunday’s treatments include low-risk active ingredients, such as naturally derived pyrethrin, lemongrass oil, cedar oil, and spinosad, it’s a reliable human-, pet-, and wildlife-friendly pest control. The plans are relatively affordable, so pest control doesn’t break the bank, and customers can purchase individual products without signing up for a subscription.
Specs
- Types of pests treated: Insects
- Active ingredients: Pyrethrin, canola oil, cedar oil, lemongrass oil, spinosad
- Plan customization parameters: By needs and location
- Cost: $82, $115, or $185 per year for Total Home Pest Protection Plan
Pros
- Streamlined yet comprehensive custom pest-plan creation online process
- Custom plans determined by customer’s unique needs and location
- Relatively low-risk active ingredients
- Relatively affordable cost
- Individual products available for purchase
Cons
- Annual commitment required for all plans
Runner-Up
Pestie
Why It Made the Cut: Pestie uses ingredients very similar to what professional pest control services use, making it one of the most effective DIY options.
Pestie offers DIY pest control that’s perhaps the closest in effectiveness to what customers would get from a professional pest control company, but at a fraction of the cost of what those services charge. However, the ingredients used can pose a higher risk of toxicity, so customers will want to closely follow the instructions to ensure safe application.
Since Pestie delivers its product when it’s time to apply it, the customer doesn’t have to find a place to store the pesticide between treatments. Pestie takes the mystery out of where and how to best apply its products by packaging them in a plastic application bag that’s easy to use with detailed step-by-step instructions for each application. Once the product is used up, customers can throw out the application bag, so there’s no need to make extra space in the garage to store leftover product. Pestie also rotates the pesticides the customer receives to control a broad range of pests throughout the year.
Specs
- Types of pests treated: Insects
- Active ingredients: Indoxacarb, lambda-cyhalothrin, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, beta-cyfluthrin
- Plan customization parameters: By location
- Cost: $136 for yearly subscription; $39 for quarterly subscription; $49 for one-time purchase
Pros
- Professional-grade treatment
- Easy-to-use products
- Rotating preventive perimeter treatments
Cons
- Potentially high-risk pesticides used
Why It Made the Cut: DoMyOwn Pest Box uses professional-grade pesticides that are proven to be effective, with costs starting at less than $10 per month.
DoMyOwn Pest Box is a great option for those who want a commercial-strength product to solve their outdoor pest issues. The company tailors its products based on the location and size of the property, so customers can expect to get treatments that work on the most common pests in their geographic location. DoMyOwn Pest Box’s pesticides include such active ingredients as indoxacarb, beta-cyfluthrin, imidacloprid, and lambda-cyhalothrin, which are the same active ingredients the pros use to take out pests. While this makes the products very effective, these chemicals also present a higher risk and require careful application. DoMyOwn Pest Box rotates its treatments with each shipment to target a broad range of pests year-round and ensure pest control and prevention are effective.
Specs
- Types of pests treated: Insects
- Active ingredients: Indoxacarb, beta-cyfluthrin, imidacloprid, lambda-cyhalothrin
- Plan customization parameters: By home size and location
- Cost: $9.98 to $29.98 per month
Pros
- Professional-grade treatment
- Rotating preventive perimeter treatments
Cons
- Potentially high-risk pesticides used
- No indoor products offered
Our Verdict
Sunday Lawn Care offers an effective and affordable DIY pest control service that uses ingredients considered to be generally safe for use around humans, wildlife, and pets. These qualities make it the best all-around option for those looking to handle pest control on their own. Those looking for a service that uses professional-grade chemicals may want to consider Pestie.
How We Chose the Best DIY Pest Control Subscription Services
We considered several factors when choosing the top services for our list. Most people who choose a DIY pest control service do so because they’re seeking an affordable alternative to the many professional services that are out there. With that in mind, we chose services that offer products that are as effective or nearly as effective as professional pest control services.
Our list also includes products with chemicals that are relatively low-risk for humans and animals, but we also vetted potentially higher-risk ingredients that are more effective at controlling pests. Since pest control varies depending on the size and location of one’s home, we chose services that tailor their product to meet the customer based on the pests common to their geographic location and the size of the area they need to treat.
Before You Use One of the Best DIY Pest Control Subscription Services
When deciding whether to subscribe to a DIY pest control service, it’s a good idea to first consider the severity of the problem. Most DIY pest control solutions create an exterior barrier that prevents pests from getting into the home. If pests have already invaded and set up shop, one may need a professional service to evict them. Pests that are particularly hard to eradicate, like termites and bed bugs, may also require a professional pest control service like Orkin or Terminix.
There are also risks to consider. Many of the chemicals that DIY services use in their solutions are comparable in strength to the products professionals use. As such, they have the potential to harm whoever is applying them, as well as any animals or people who may come into contact with these chemicals. Customers who aren’t completely comfortable handling these chemicals on their own will want to consider hiring a professional service.
The Cost of Using One of the Best DIY Pest Control Subscription Services
Perhaps the biggest incentive for customers to subscribe to a DIY pest control service is price. Most exterminators cost between $110 and $260 per visit, and many pests require recurring treatments. At the cost of between $80 and $350 a year, DIY pest control services offer a much more affordable alternative and use many of the same formulas that professional services use to control pests.
While this cost may be significantly higher than what one might spend for pest control products at their local home improvement store, these subscription services are usually much more effective since they are tailored to meet the needs of specific homes. The actual cost of the service depends on several factors, including the home’s location (which determines how susceptible the home is to certain pests) and its size.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best DIY Pest Control Subscription Services
There are many advantages to choosing a pest control subscription service. First and foremost, they offer a cheaper option than professional pest control that’s still effective. Since these products are customized to meet the needs of a specific home and come with detailed application instructions, they’re often more effective than the pest control products found in local stores. Plus, these products usually use the same ingredients the pros use. There are also pest control options that use ingredients that are lower risk for humans and animals. These services also conveniently ship their products directly to customers’ homes regularly, so customers don’t have to think about restocking.
- Cheaper than professional pest control
- More effective than store-bought pest control products
- Include same ingredients the pros use
- Offer products with low-risk ingredients
- Conveniently ship products to the customer’s doorstep
FAQs
Ahead, find answers to some of the most pressing questions about pest control. Then you can learn how to spot the signs of an infestation and find out why handling pest control yourself will save money.
There are many clues you can look for to spot a pest infestation. Droppings in the living area are a telltale sign, as are footprints, unpleasant odors, and damage to property and equipment. More obvious evidence of an infestation includes the discovery of nests.
Yes. In fact, it’s significantly cheaper to do your own pest control. Whereas you’ll spend between $400 to $1,200 a year for quarterly treatments from a pest control service, you’ll pay between $80 and $350 a year for a DIY subscription service.
There are risks to consider when doing pest control yourself. Many pest control products use chemicals that pose risk to humans and wildlife. When using these products, it’s crucial to wear proper protective equipment and closely follow the product’s application instructions.
For preventive pest control, you’ll want to apply treatments about every 3 months. Most DIY pest control services will provide you with specific instructions, and subscription services will regularly send products so they arrive when it’s time to apply them.
The landlord is usually legally responsible for pest control at a property. Tenants can contact the landlord if they discover an infestation rather than attempt to handle it on their own.
The three methods of pest control are hygiene, biological, and mechanical. Hygiene involves making your home less desirable for pests by keeping trash organized and contained, cleaning up food particles, and eliminating clutter that can serve as a haven for pests. Biological methods use natural predators, such as cats, dogs, and nematodes, to control pests. Mechanical methods involve using pesticides and physical traps and barriers to keep pests out.