DIY Pest Control Is Outdated

What Your Residents, Tenants, and Staff Need to Know

April Fools’ Day is all fun and games — until someone tries to treat bed bugs with a can of discount spray. While DIY pest control may seem like a quick fix, it’s a serious issue for property owners and facility managers. It doesn’t solve infestations. In many cases, it makes them worse.

At Bugmarx, we provide commercial pest services across Michigan, including Westland, Canton, West Bloomfield, Novi, Bingham Farms, and Livonia. Our team serves office buildings, apartment communities, senior living facilities, commercial properties, and private residences. One of the most common challenges we face? Residents or staff attempting to self-treat before we’re ever called in.

Here’s why DIY pest control is not just outdated — it's dangerous, ineffective, and a liability.

Over-the-Counter Products Don’t Solve the Problem

Many residents reach for sprays and powders with the best intentions — but those products are designed to sell peace of mind, not provide long-term control.

They’re a smoke signal, not a solution — something that temporarily disrupts pest activity without eliminating the source. With pests like bed bugs, this often causes them to scatter and hide, pushing deeper into walls, furniture, floors, and outlets. What could’ve been a localized issue now becomes a widespread one, requiring more complex bed bug control services.

Misuse Leads to Resistance and Infestation Spread

DIY pest control often means applying the wrong product to the wrong pest. This can lead to:

• Overuse or underuse

• Incorrect pest identification

• Increased pest resistance

  
  

For example, Pharaoh ants can split into multiple colonies when disturbed improperly — spreading throughout units, walls, or floors. This creates a far more complicated situation for ant control and long-term prevention.

One Self-Treatment Can Impact the Whole Building

In multi-unit properties and facilities, pest activity doesn't stay contained. Improper self-treatments often drive pests like spiders, ants, and roaches into neighboring units or shared walls.

This type of disruption commonly occurs in apartment buildings, senior care facilities, and offices — especially in high-density areas like Canton, Livonia, and Westland, MI.

This can result in:

• Silent infestations

• Cross-contamination

• Health complaints from neighboring tenants

• Increased costs for treatment and damage repair

Health Risks and Liability Are Real

DIY pest products can pose serious risks to residents, tenants, and staff — especially in commercial or senior living environments.

Overexposure to pesticides can cause:

• Breathing issues and asthma flare-ups

• Allergic reactions or skin irritation

• Nausea, dizziness, or headaches

• Long-term chemical sensitivity

  
  

If someone experiences a chemical reaction, they should stop use immediately, consult a healthcare provider, and notify management.

When it comes to commercial pest control, using licensed professionals helps you avoid lawsuits and protect your building’s reputation.

DIY Delays = Larger Infestations = Higher Costs

Whether it’s spider control, bed bug control, ant treatment, bee and wasp control, or animal control, DIY efforts almost always lead to delays. During that time, pests multiply, migrate, and entrench themselves deeper into your facility.

By the time a professional is called, treatment is more invasive, more expensive, and more time-consuming — especially in larger communities like Novi, Royal Oak, or West Bloomfield, Michigan.

Final Thoughts

If you manage or own a property — whether it's an apartment building, senior facility, office space, or commercial center — the best move is to discourage self-treatment and lean on expert help.

At Bugmarx, our Michigan pest services are designed to solve problems efficiently and safely, the first time. From commercial pest services to private clients, we’re here to protect your tenants, buildings, and reputation.

Don’t let a quick spray turn into a costly infestation.

Contact your Bugmarx account representative at 734-858-7505 or visit www.bugmarx.com to schedule a free consultation.