DIY vs. Professional Mosquito and Tick Control: An Honest Comparison
As a North Shore homeowner, you've probably considered tackling mosquito and tick control yourself. With products readily available at hardware stores and online, it's tempting to save money and do it yourself.
But does DIY really work? And when does it make sense to call in professionals? Here's an honest look at both approaches.
The DIY Approach: What Works (and What Doesn't)
Mosquito Control DIY Options:
Citronella candles and torches - These provide temporary relief in a very small area (about 3-4 feet). Great for a patio table, but won't protect your whole yard.
Bug zappers - Actually attract more mosquitoes to your yard and mostly kill beneficial insects, not mosquitoes. Not recommended.
Mosquito dunks/bits (BTI) - These work well for standing water (bird baths, gutters, ponds). They prevent mosquito larvae from developing. Cost: $10-15 per pack. This is a good DIY option!
Tick Control DIY Options:
Yard maintenance - Keeping grass mowed regularly, removing leaf litter, and creating barriers between lawn and woods definitely helps reduce ticks. This is highly recommended!
Tick tubes - These are cardboard tubes filled with permethrin-treated cotton that mice use for nesting, killing ticks that feed on the mice. Moderately effective.
Granular tick products - Spread on lawn like fertilizer. Provides some reduction but doesn't reach all the areas where ticks live and breed.
The Professional Approach: What You're Really Paying For
When you hire a professional mosquito and tick control company, you're getting more than just access to commercial-grade products:
Expertise: Professionals know where mosquitoes breed and ticks hide. They target these specific areas rather than just spraying your whole yard.
Equipment: Professional-grade sprayers provide better coverage and penetration into vegetation where pests live.
Consistency: Regular scheduled treatments throughout the season provide continuous protection, not just temporary relief.
Time savings: The average DIY mosquito treatment takes 2-3 hours every few weeks. That's 30-40 hours per season you could spend enjoying your yard instead.
Better products: Professional organic products are often more effective than consumer-grade options and provide longer-lasting results.
When DIY Makes Sense
DIY mosquito and tick control might work for you if:
You have a very small yard (under 2,000 sq ft)
You're committed to staying on top of treatments every 2-3 weeks
Your pest pressure is relatively low
You enjoy yard projects and have the time
Budget is extremely tight
The most effective DIY approach combines multiple methods: habitat modification (cutting grass, removing standing water), mosquito dunks for water features, and regular yard sprays during peak season.
When to Call the Professionals
Professional treatment makes more sense if:
You have children or pets who use the yard frequently
Your property borders woods or wetlands
You've tried DIY with disappointing results
You don't have time for regular treatments
You want organic options (professional organic products work better than consumer versions)
You're concerned about Lyme disease or mosquito-borne illnesses
The Bottom Line
Neither approach is "right" or "wrong" – it depends on your specific situation, budget, and priorities.
However, if you value your time, want consistent results throughout the season, and care about protecting your family from tick-borne diseases, professional treatment is usually worth the investment.
At Bee Friendly, we've worked with plenty of families who tried DIY first. The most common thing we hear? "I wish I'd called you sooner."
Curious about organic mosquito and tick control for your North Shore property? Contact Bee Friendly for a free quote.
Bee Friendly Organic Mosquito and Tick Control serves the North Shore Massachusetts area with environmentally-conscious pest control solutions that protect your family and the ecosystem.