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General Pest Control

Can I Do Pest Control Myself in Southern Maryland and Northern Virginia?

By Planet Friendly Pest Control·3 min read

DIY pest control is a hot and controversial topic. Like so many tasks, there's a particular section of homeowners who think that they can do anything a licensed professional can do. And the truth is, there are cases where all you need is a trip to the store and the right protective gear.

At the same time, the best DIY-ers always know when to call in the big guns and get expert help.

Are you wondering if you can get rid of bugs on your own, or if its time to call professional pest control? Here's a quick guide to help you make the decision.

01

When is DIY Pest Control a Good Idea?

DIY pest control works fine when you have a small pest problem. Many of today's store-bought products are capable of taking care of small nests of minor, hyper-local infestations. The instructions are on the label, and there's plenty of guidance given by credible sources on the internet. Plus, the store-bought products only require easily-accessible personal protection equipment (PPE), which you will likely either have already or can easily buy at the store.

So, if you have one mouseor you spot a few ants, then a DIY solution could be just the ticket.

However, things become trickier if you have a full blow infestation or when you deal with particular breeds of pests. In these cases, you will likely spend less time, less money, and take less risk when you hire pest control services.

02

What Are the Benefits of Professional Pest Control?

There are real benefits associated with hiring professional pest control that go beyond convenience or the "gross" factor.

The most significant benefit is the expertise and expert equipment they offer. It may seem simple enough to buy a product at the store, but you may find you need additional and highly specific equipment, like a particular model of sprayer or spreader. Professionals also know how to measure the treatment area, which allows them to use enough product to be effective, without causing damage.

Another benefit of going the professional route is the ability to choose a service that has in-depth knowledge of green or planet-friendly products. For example, you may find products on the shelves that claim to be organic, but the active ingredients aren't very useful - or worse, they cause harm. Professional services can choose planet-friendly methods that meet the demands of the job without taking additional risk.

And of course, professional services are best equipped to deal with complex tasks or large infestations in ways that a DIY product can't cope with. So, choosing a professional pest control service the first time around saves you time, money, and cuts down on the number of days you need to live with pests.

03

Get to Know Your Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland Pest Control Professionals

You don't need to call pest control for one mouse or the occasional spider. Very often, you can take care of those problems on your own - with the right equipment. However, when you're dealing with infestations or tricky breeds of pests, it's usually smart to call the pros right away.

Are you looking for an environmentally-friendly way to evict pests from your home or yard? Get in touch to learn how we help clients achieve a bug-free house.

Pest Control

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Planet Friendly Pest Control

Eco-conscious pest control for homes with pets across Southern Maryland & Northern Virginia — serving local homeowners since 2010.....

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  • Josh F.

    Google review · Sep 2026

    Alex was great! Very professional and explained the whole process before doing any work. We had a wasp nest in our wall, getting in through a seam between our brick and siding. I thought it would be a costly problem, but it was taken care of in about 15 minutes.

  • Amy B.

    Google review · Sep 2026

    I am very pleased with the work of Planet Friendly Pest Control. I had a large wasp nest in the garage and they came out to treat it the same day! The process was clear and professional. I was told the price when I called and they didn't try to upsell me on a monthly or quarterly contract. As mentioned above, they came out the same day I called and they texted me when they were on their way. They treated the nest and then came back a week later to confirm it was taken care of and removed the nest. It's now been a couple of weeks since the initial visit and no sign of new wasps! I would not hesitate to use them again.

  • Nicholas V.

    Google review · Sep 2026

    Excellent service and full explanation of service

  • Jfk

    Google review · Sep 2026

    Great service. Wasps eradicated the next day.

  • Cheryl P.

    Google review · Aug 2026

    Tech was very nice, explained what the chemical is designed to do.

  • Patrick H.

    Google review · Jul 2026

    I want to sincerely thank Planet Friendly Pest Control and its owner, Gene Wright, for their immediate response and action to deal with a hive of Bald Face Hornets who, unbeknownst to me, had taken home in a fair size shrub at the back of my house. As I attempted to trim the shrub, I was swarmed by Hornets and stung 8 or 9 times before I could get to safety. I left my tractor and tools in a hurry and was afraid to retrieve them until the bee issue was addressed. Again, PFPC responded quickly and allowed me to get my tools and continue my recovery from the bee stings. I considered the price to be very fair for the treatment of the issue at hand and the sharing of knowledge to avoid further such mishaps. I will only call PFPC when in need of pest control.

  • Jason M.

    Google review · Jul 2026

    Gene was honest and thorough.

  • Betty E.

    Google review · Jul 2026

    Roger came out and killed hornets in large nest on our house. It was taken care of the day after I called for service.

  • Joyce

    Google review · Jul 2026

    Joshua was Friendly and efficient.

  • Ken C.

    Google review · Jun 2026

    Planet Friendly has been doing our pest control for several years now. They are reliable, and perform a great service for us. We are notified by email when the appointment is confirmed. They are always professional and knowledgeable.

  • Nikole R.

    Google review · Jun 2026

    Really appreciate Roger coming out to the house to not only treat for common insects that like to make their way into the house (regularly scheduled maintenance), but also exterminate a hornet nest we found on our deck this last week. Great service, arrives on schedule (and sends a text with arrival time when he’s on his way), and most importantly - no critters coming inside my house - or hornets potentially stinging us. Recommend Planet Friendly Pest Control to anyone looking for an exterminator.

  • Kathleen M.

    Google review · Jun 2026

    Great service. No bugs in the house! They quietly and quickly get the job done, no hastle.

  • San D.

    Google review · Jun 2026

    Roger was very kind and professional. He did an excellent job attending to areas of the exterior of our home that required extra attention.

  • Patti W.

    Google review · Jun 2026

    Gene Wright came highly recommended by multiple neighbors. He came out the same day I called and showed great knowledge about our mouse problem! Gene was responsible, knowledgeable and a delight to deal with. We highly recommend Planet Friendly Pest Control.

  • Denise A.

    Google review · Apr 2026

    This is my third year using Planet Friendly to control ants in my home. I have yet to see an ant. What a relief. This is a real necessity where I live. Thank you.

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