You've spotted something crawling across your kitchen floor or heard scratching in the walls at night. The big question: should you grab a can of spray and handle it yourself, or is it time to call in a professional exterminator?
The answer isn't always obvious. Some pest problems are genuinely easy to solve on your own, while others can spiral into expensive nightmares if you don't get professional help quickly. This guide breaks down the decision for every common pest type so you can save money where it makes sense — and protect your home when it really matters.
The General Rule: When DIY Makes Sense vs. When to Call a Pro
Before we dive into specific pests, here's a simple framework. DIY pest control works best when you're dealing with a small, isolated problem that you caught early. Call a professional when the infestation is established, the pest poses structural or health risks, or your DIY attempts haven't worked after 1–2 weeks.
Think of it like plumbing: you can fix a dripping faucet, but you wouldn't try to replace your main sewer line. Pest control works the same way.
Ants: Usually DIY, Sometimes Pro
When to DIY
A few ants trailing through your kitchen during spring? That's almost always a DIY situation. Store-bought ant baits (gel or station-style) work well for common species like odorous house ants and pavement ants. Place baits along the trail — don't spray the ants, because you want workers to carry the bait back to the colony.
When to Call a Pro
Call a professional if you're seeing carpenter ants — large black ants that can cause structural damage similar to termites. Also call if ant trails keep reappearing after 2 weeks of baiting, or if you're finding ants in multiple rooms simultaneously, which suggests multiple colonies or entry points.
Learn more about professional ant control →
Termites: Always Call a Professional
This one is non-negotiable. Termites cause over $5 billion in property damage annually in the U.S., and the damage is almost never covered by homeowner's insurance. There is no effective DIY termite treatment — the products available to consumers simply cannot reach where termites live and breed.
Signs You Might Have Termites
- Mud tubes running along your foundation
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
- Discarded wings near windows or doors (swarmer season)
- Bubbling or buckling paint on wood surfaces
- Tiny piles of frass (drywood termite droppings)
If you see any of these signs, don't wait. Every day of delay means more damage. Professional treatment typically involves liquid termiticides, bait systems, or both, and costs $500–$3,000 depending on the severity and your home's size.
Get a free termite inspection →
Bed Bugs: Always Call a Professional
Bed bugs are another pest where DIY is almost always a waste of time and money. These insects are notoriously resistant to over-the-counter pesticides, they hide in places you can't easily treat (inside walls, behind outlet covers, deep in furniture), and missing even a few eggs means the infestation comes roaring back.
Why DIY Fails for Bed Bugs
Consumer-grade bed bug sprays might kill the bugs you can see, but bed bugs lay 1–5 eggs per day and those eggs are resistant to most pesticides. Professional heat treatment raises the temperature of your entire room to 120°F+, killing all life stages in a single treatment. Chemical treatments from pros use professional-grade products applied in a systematic, multi-visit protocol.
Find bed bug treatment professionals near you →
Rodents (Mice & Rats): DIY for Mice, Pro for Rats
Mice — Often DIY-Friendly
A single mouse or a small mouse problem can often be handled with snap traps. Place them perpendicular to walls where you've seen droppings, baited with peanut butter. Use at least 6–12 traps — most people use too few. Seal entry points with steel wool and caulk.
Rats — Call a Professional
Rats are a different beast entirely. They're smarter, more cautious, and more dangerous. Rats can gnaw through concrete and metal, they carry serious diseases, and a rat problem almost always indicates entry points that require professional exclusion work. A pro will trap, remove, seal entry points, and set up monitoring.
Also call a pro if your mouse problem persists beyond 2 weeks of trapping, or if you're hearing sounds in walls or attic spaces — that suggests a larger population.
Get professional rodent removal help →
Cockroaches: Depends on the Species
When to DIY
An occasional large cockroach (like an American cockroach or "water bug") that wanders in from outside is normal in many regions. Seal gaps around doors and pipes, use gel bait in cracks, and keep things clean. This is a manageable DIY situation.
When to Call a Pro
If you're seeing German cockroaches — small, light brown, usually in kitchens and bathrooms — call a professional immediately. German roaches breed incredibly fast (a single female can produce 300+ offspring in her lifetime) and they're resistant to many consumer products. A professional will use gel baits, growth regulators, and targeted treatments that are far more effective than anything you can buy at the store.
Find cockroach extermination services →
Mosquitoes: DIY Prevention, Pro for Serious Problems
When to DIY
Mosquito prevention is largely DIY: eliminate standing water (bird baths, clogged gutters, plant saucers), use personal repellent, and install or repair window screens. These steps alone can reduce mosquito populations by 70–80%.
When to Call a Pro
If you live near standing water you can't control (ponds, wetlands, neighbor's property) or if mosquitoes are making your yard unusable despite your efforts, professional barrier treatments can make a dramatic difference. Monthly or bi-monthly spray treatments during mosquito season typically cost $75–$150 per visit.
Explore professional mosquito treatment →
Wildlife (Raccoons, Squirrels, Bats): Always Call a Professional
Wildlife removal requires specialized knowledge, equipment, and often permits. Many wildlife species are protected by law, meaning improper removal can result in fines. Beyond legality, wild animals can carry rabies, histoplasmosis, and other serious diseases.
If you have animals in your attic, crawl space, or chimney, a wildlife removal professional will humanely trap and relocate the animals, seal entry points, and clean up contaminated areas.
Get professional wildlife removal →
Spiders & General Pests: Usually DIY
Most spiders, earwigs, silverfish, and occasional invaders are manageable with basic maintenance: sealing cracks, reducing moisture, keeping clutter down, and using store-bought perimeter sprays. A professional general pest control plan ($100–$300 per quarter) makes sense if you want ongoing prevention without thinking about it, or if you're in a high-pest area.
The Bottom Line: A Quick Reference
| Pest | DIY? | Call a Pro? |
|---|---|---|
| Ants (common) | ✅ Yes | If baiting fails after 2 weeks |
| Carpenter ants | ❌ No | ✅ Always |
| Termites | ❌ No | ✅ Always |
| Bed bugs | ❌ No | ✅ Always |
| Mice (small problem) | ✅ Yes | If trapping fails after 2 weeks |
| Rats | ❌ No | ✅ Always |
| German cockroaches | ❌ No | ✅ Always |
| Other cockroaches | ✅ Usually | If ongoing issue |
| Mosquitoes | ✅ Prevention | For barrier treatments |
| Wildlife | ❌ No | ✅ Always |
| Spiders / general | ✅ Yes | For ongoing prevention plans |
How to Find a Good Exterminator
When you do need a professional, here's what to look for:
- Licensed and insured — always verify this
- Free inspections — reputable companies will inspect before quoting
- Written estimates — get the scope of work in writing
- Guarantees — most good companies offer satisfaction guarantees
- Multiple quotes — get 2–3 quotes to compare pricing and approaches
Get free quotes from licensed pest control professionals near you →