At some point in your life you’ll end up dealing with a bug problem. Pests have a purpose in nature, but keeping them out of your home can be a frustrating challenge. There are plenty of professional pest control companies to choose from, but because of budget or a host of other reasons, some people choose to go the do-it-yourself route.
In this guide we compare the best DIY pest control subscription services – what they offer, what they don’t and how much it all costs – to help you make the best choice if you’re considering getting rid of pests on your own.
- What are DIY Pest Control Subscription Services?
- What Are the Benefits of DIY Pest Control Subscription Services
- Things to Consider When Choosing DIY Pest Control
- What Are The Active Ingredients?
- Pest Control Ingredients & Health Risks
- Can I Customize My Plan?
- How Much Will A Subscription Service Cost?
- When to Choose a Professional Pest Control Service
- How We Rate Subscription-Based Pest Control Companies?
 Best Overall |  Best for Natural Products |  Best for Variety of Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guarantee | |||
| Nationwide Availability | |||
| Multiple Plan Options | |||
| Free Shipping | |||
| Contract Required | |||
| Online Customer Chat | |||
| Bed Bug Treatment | |||
| Termite Treatment | |||
| One-Time Treatment Option |
What are DIY Pest Control Subscription Services?
Do-it-yourself pest control subscription services are very different from going into a big box retailer or your local home improvement store and trying to figure out what you need and buying the right spray or traps. DIY subscription-based services are similar to professional pest control services in the protection they offer – but at a discounted price. These products often use the same chemicals and methods you will find with professional services.
For a monthly, quarterly or annual cost, you’ll receive pest control products delivered to your home. What you receive is based on the size of your home and yard and what type of pests you are trying to get rid of. The kits also come with detailed instructions on how to apply the products to take the guesswork out.
4/5
- Available nationwide
- Treatments and products for more than 100 types of bugs
- Offers natural flea and tick treatments for pets
- Kit provides everything needed for general pest control
- Doesn’t offer treatment for bed bugs or termites
- Doesn’t offer lawn care treatment options
Pestie is a solid choice for DIY pest control. The company uses ingredients in its treatments that are similar to what professional pest control companies use. Pestie offers an affordable option for general pest control and the Pestie Smart Pest Plan has three subscription choices to choose from.
Pest plans are customized based on where you live and the type of bugs you’ve seen in your home. Your kit is shipped to you when it’s time for you to apply it, so you never have to worry about storing the chemicals in between treatments. The ingredients used in the spray can pose a higher risk of toxicity, so you’ll want to make sure you follow the detailed instructions Pestie sends you to keep you and your family safe.
PROS:
Pestie doesn’t require a contract and you can cancel your subscription at any time by contacting the company’s customer support team. The company does offer a guarantee. If you aren’t happy with the product, they’ll do whatever it takes to make it right. That can include sending you specialty treatments, personalized treatment plans, or a full refund.
Pestie has one pest control plan with three different subscription options. The Pestie Smart Pest Plan treats more than 100 different pests and you can pay up front for a yearly subscription, pay per quarter or buy a one-time treatment. Cost is based on what you choose.
The pesticide is professional grade and easy to use. Your kit comes with a reusable sprayer, the pesticide, a mixing bag, a set of gloves, and detailed instructions on how to apply it. Pestie recommends you use their pesticide to provide a barrier around the perimeter of your home. But you can also do light spot treatments inside, if needed.
Pestie does not offer services for bed bugs or termites, animal and wildlife control, rodent removal, attic or crawl space inspection and treatment, or lawn care.
Pestie does offer a natural spray for your pets that is a repellent for fleas and ticks. You can sign up for a subscription for the spray or order a one-time treatment bottle.
Pestie doesn’t charge you for shipping and the products will ship either the same or the next business day. You can cancel your subscription at any time without any fees. The company is headquartered in Utah, but products are available for shipping in all 50 states.
4/5
- Available nationwide
- Treatments and products for a wide variety of pests and bugs
- Products are made from naturally-derived ingredients
- Offers lawn care treatment options
- Doesn’t offer treatment for bed bugs or termites
- Guarantee does not include refunds
Sunday pest control provides customized products to meet your specific needs, but you can also buy products a la carte for other pest problems you may be having. The ingredients are naturally-derived, so they’re non-toxic and safe for you, your family and your pets. Sunday uses low-risk, active ingredients like cedar oil, lemongrass and pyrethrin.
Sunday customizes your pest control package based on a quiz you take online. You’ll be asked several questions to help determine what your problem is and the products to treat them. Sunday ships for free, right to your door and comes with detailed instructions on how to apply the products. The company requires an annual contract, and you have to pay for it upfront but the cost for Sunday is a more cost-effective option than professional pest control services. You’ll receive the appropriate treatments when it’s time to reapply throughout the year.
PROS:
Sunday products do come with a guarantee. The company says if you need a replacement, they will ship you one. If you need troubleshooting help for a specific problem, Sunday experts will help you figure it out. If you don’t get the results you’re expecting, Sunday will find a way to help you reach your goal.
Sunday offers a wide variety of pest control options. You can buy them as part of a custom plan to keep bugs out of your home, or buy individual products for specific needs. They offer a small, medium, and large Total Home Pest Protection Plan. The plans include varying amounts of two different products you need for general, routine and preventative pest control. The Bug Doom Home Insect Barrier is for use outside, while the Bug Doom Home Insect Control is for spot treatment inside your house.
Sunday also offers small, medium and large protection plans for mosquito control. Each package comes with varying degrees of products to repel mosquitoes, keeping them away from you and out of your yard. You can also order specific products for ants and ticks.
Sunday’s main service line seems to be its lawn care services. The company offers a full line of treatments for your yard. Products for your lawn are sent to you based on where you live. It starts with a free soil analysis that Sunday uses to develop a customized subscription-based plan with products for what your lawn needs. You’ll receive deliveries to your door throughout the year with specific instructions on when and how to apply it.
4/5
- Available nationwide
- Large variety of products to choose from
- No contract required, can be canceled anytime
- Offers a wide variety of DIY pest control products containing professional grade pesticides
- No indoor treatment options available
- Potential for using high-risk pesticides
- Some products don’t come with everything you need for treatment and application
Of the companies on our list, DoMyOwn has the largest variety of treatment options. DoMyOwn offers an affordable option for general pest control with its Pest Box. The subscription-based plan contains what you need to treat the most common pests that may try to breach the perimeter of your home.
The Pest Box is customized based on where you live and is shipped to you based on the time of year and what is needed for pest control. Shipping is free and the products usually leave the warehouse in 24-48 hours of ordering.
PROS:
DoMyOwn doesn’t have a treatment guarantee. It does have a 90-day, no hassle return policy. If your products haven’t been opened and are in a condition where they can be resold, you can initiate a return – as long as it’s within 90 days of the date of purchase.
DoMyOwn offers a wide variety of products – to the point you may become overwhelmed browsing their website. They do offer a subscription-based service called the Pest Box which offers professional-grade pesticide based on the size of your property. It is meant to be applied to the perimeter of your property to keep ants, centipedes, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, and silverfish out.
The company also offers Pest Control Kits for specific problems that can range from ants to mosquitoes to roaches. They also have a kit to treat bed bugs. You can also purchase granular and liquid insecticide, generic insecticides, insect growth regulators, bug spray aerosols, and insect and bug and thermal foggers.
DoMyOwn has a line of products for animal care, lawn care, garden care, as well as commercial services. And as an extra convenience, many DoMyOwn products are available at big box retailers like Home Depot, Lowes and Walmart.
DoMyOwn offers free shipping in the continental United States and has a 90-day, no hassle return policy. If your products haven’t been opened and are in a condition where they can be resold, you can initiate a return – as long as it’s within 90 days of the date of purchase. You can cancel the services at any time, without incurring any fees.
What Are the Benefits of DIY Pest Control Subscription Services
As we mentioned, DIY kits are, generally, much more cost-effective than professional services. But they also allow you to take care of pest control on your own time. You don’t have to wait for a technician to show up. And you can apply the products at night or on the weekend – whenever works best for you.
The products are professional grade but at a fraction of the cost of using a professional pest control company. While DIY products are effective for routine, preventative maintenance, they generally will not work if you have a large bug problem or an infestation.
What Are The Advantages of DIY Pest Control?
There are advantages to going the do-it-yourself route with pest control. Cost is the most obvious factor, since it may be more budget-friendly than using a professional service. A subscription service also takes the guesswork out of trying to determine what you need to buy at the store.
And since the instructions on how to use the products are detailed, there’s little chance you’ll overspray or not spray enough. There also won’t be any trial and error of trying out products since subscription services are tailored to the region of the country you live in.
What Are The Disadvantages of DIY Pest Control?
The biggest disadvantage of DIY pest control is its treatment limitation. While the best companies in the DIY business treat a long list of bugs – it is only effective as a routine or preventative maintenance choice. If you have an ant problem in the kitchen, a cockroach problem in the pantry, or a steady stream of millipedes getting in through the door or windows – DIY is not the best choice. DIY pest control won’t work if you have an existing infestation, either.
Things to Consider When Choosing DIY Pest Control
If you’re considering going to the do-it-yourself route for pest control, there are several things to consider before settling on this option.
Is It Sustainable?
One of the first things to think about is if you’re willing to commit to taking this on yourself. While it may seem like a small thing to add to your to-do list, it will be the most effective if you are committed to the process.
Pest control, of any type, is most effective when it’s done on a regularly scheduled basis. You may need to put reminders in your phone or on your calendar for the next time you need to treat your home. And be sure your personality type is such that you will stick with it and won’t skip treatments. Skipping times or forgetting will increase your chance of a pest infestation.
It’s also important that you spray everywhere you should, every time you should. If you pick and choose treatment areas based on where you think you are having a problem, you may end up with a bigger pest problem over the long term.
What Type of Pests Do I Have And What Does The Product Treat?
It’s fairly easy to determine if you have ants or spot a cockroach from time to time, but knowing what type of other pests you have in and around your home may prove to be a little more difficult. Be sure and give your home a thorough inspection. Take pictures of any bugs you may see and try your best to research and identify what they are so you’ll know what you’re trying to get rid of.
It’s also important to know what pests you see because the service you choose may not target them – so it could end up being a waste of money.
What Are The Active Ingredients?
You will want to know what the ingredients are in the services you’re looking at to make sure they are safe for you, your family, and your pets. Many of the ingredients in subscription-based DIY Pest control are the same as those used by professional services. But it’s important to consider the toxicity. Toxicity is generally classified into four categories:
Highly Toxic
If a product or ingredient is highly toxic that means a few drops of it could be deadly for a 150-pound adult if ingested.
Moderately Toxic
If a product or ingredient is moderately toxic that means a teaspoon to an ounce of it could be deadly for a 150-pound adult if ingested.
Slightly Toxic
If a product or ingredient is slightly toxic that means an ounce of it could be deadly to a 150-pound adult if ingested.
Relatively or Practically Non-toxic
If a product or ingredient is considered relatively or practically non-toxic that means more than an ounce of it would need to be ingested for it to be deadly to a 150-pound adult.
Pest Control Ingredients & Health Risks
While not comprehensive, here is a list of widely used pest control ingredients in DIY subscriptions and the risks they pose.
Beta-cyfluthrin
Highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates and fish. Toxic to bees. Slightly toxic to earthworms, rabbits and sheep. Poses minimal risk to birds.
Canola Oil
Poses little to no risk for humans, animals and the environment.
Cedar Oil
Poses a minimal risk for humans, animals and the environment.
Cinnamon Oil
Poses a minimal risk for humans, animals and the environment.
Citronella Oil
Poses a minimal risk for humans, animals and the environment.
Clove Oil
Poses a minimal risk for humans, animals and the environment.
Cottonseed Oil
Poses little to no risk for humans, animals and the environment.
Diatomaceous Earth
Poses a minimal risk for humans, animals and the environment.
Geraniol
Poses a minimal risk for humans, animals and the environment.
Imidacloprid
Poses a minimal risk to birds, but is slightly toxic to fish. Is toxic to bees. Has moderate potential to leach into groundwater.
Indoxacarb
Poses a reduced risk to humans and the environment, but is toxic to bees, birds and fish.
Lambda Cyhalothrin
Is toxic to fish and bees.
Lemongrass Oil
Poses a minimal risk for humans, animals and the environment.
Pyrethrin
Poses a minimal risk for humans, animals and the environment and does not enter the groundwater.
Spinosad
Poses a low risk to humans, but is slightly toxic to birds. Slightly to moderately toxic for aquatic invertebrates, fish and oysters. Highly toxic to bees when first applied.
Thiamethoxam
Poses a slight risk to humans, fish and wildlife. Is toxic to bees.
Can I Customize My Plan?
Every pest problem is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Be sure that whatever subscription service you are looking at can be customized to fit your needs. Most subscription services use your zip code to determine what type of pests you may be dealing with and choose active ingredients based on that information
These services will also take the size of your home and property into account to determine how much of their product you need. Trusted or reputable pest control subscription plans will give you detailed instructions on how to use the product to minimize the risk to you and your family. You obviously won’t get that type of detail if you walk into a big box retailer or home improvement store and buy pest control products off the shelf.
How Much Will A Subscription Service Cost?
Most DIY pest control subscription services give you an option of monthly, quarterly or annual rates. Your cost will depend on how big your home and property are and the type and how much of the product you need to treat it. The longer you commit to the subscription, the more of a discount you may receive. Plans can start as low as $22 and go up to $150+.
When to Choose a Professional Pest Control Service
The idea of DIY pest control is appealing to many. The cost-savings are a plus, as is the ability to take care of treating your home on your own time and schedule. However, DIY subscription services will not work for large pest problems or infestations. If you see more than the occasional spider, ant, or cockroach in your home – the DIY method likely isn’t your best option. DIY subscription-based pest control is more for preventative maintenance than for getting rid of a bigger problem.
DIY pest control is also not an option if you have termites or bed bugs. For the most part, a professionally trained technician has to determine if you have either of these types of pests. And if you do, you’ll need professional services to get rid of them.
How We Rate Subscription-Based Pest Control Companies?
Through careful research, we picked our ‘best of’ list based on the type of pest control they offer, the general cost, and whether it competed with professional pest control services. All the products on our list met our criteria.
