My wife and I recently bought our first house and I was thinking I'd do the pest control myself.

So my question is this - what do y'all use for indoor/outdoor pest control? Like I said, I'm a new homeowner so explain it to me like I'm 5. What products, where do you apply, how often do you apply, etc. For the record, we're in Houston and the wife saw a black widow in the garage so she's a little freaked out.

Thanks!

Do a search on here and the Home Improvement board. Lots of threads on this exact topic.

https://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/

First off, invest in a B&G sprayer now. I went through several sprayers before I bit the bullet and spent the money. Now I've been using the B&G for years with no problems.

I spray with Bifen IT or Demon WP mixed according to package directions. I usually purchase from DoMyOwnPestControl

7 years at current house and rarely find a bug in the house. When I do it's usually dead or struggling

+1 demon wp.
$12.99 at tractor supply.

I spray Bifen XTS every couple months around the exterior perimeter of the home. When my wife starts to notice bugs I know it's time to spray again. The scorpion we found a few weeks ago was a good reminder it had been too long...

+2 on the Demon WP. Scorpions hate that stuff. Read the label carefully, as there are two different "levels" when mixing it w/water.

go to a Solutions store....they will fix you up

Caladan said:

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+2 on the Demon WP. Scorpions hate that stuff. Read the label carefully, as there are two different "levels" when mixing it w/water.

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+3

Do y'all mix one packet to the gallon of the Demon or 2? And does one gallon make it the whole house? My house is about 1500sqft that I'll be spraying.

I really liked the Demon WP but I have been using Cy-kick Cs just because its a liquid and mixes better.

No one has explained where to spray. Is everyone assuming OP will actually read the directions on the label?

will.mcg said:

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No one has explained where to spray. Is everyone assuming OP will actually read the directions on the label?

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I would hope so, as that is the most logical thing to do when using a product you aren't familiar with....

I had a Pest Control professional friend tell me to buy Talstar Pro. Stuff has obliterated any and all critters around my house. He said it was the best aside from calling someone with a license.

He said it is safe to spray inside and out and to double what the label says. I sprayed a year ago and am still finding dead stuff all over the place.

He also said it is safe for pets and kids once it dries.

Amazon Link to Talstar Pro

Best thing other than most of the chemicals listed above is the Chapin 24v backpack sprayer. You can apply 4 gallons without any work in no time.

Fipronil... Best fire and preventer ever... Don't believe me?

Fireant.tamu.edu

Also is good for other critters especially termites



For spider and scorpion. Onslaught fast cap.... Used that in AZ. Chemical maintains it's potency despite scorching hot temps. Not a single scorpion, spider, giant centipede, harvester ant in the house

dtkprowler said:

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I had a Pest Control professional friend tell me to buy Talstar Pro. Stuff has obliterated any and all critters around my house. He said it was the best aside from calling someone with a license.

He said it is safe to spray inside and out and to double what the label says. I sprayed a year ago and am still finding dead stuff all over the place.

He also said it is safe for pets and kids once it dries.

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The Bifen IT I referenced earlier is generic Talstar Pro. About 30% less expensive.

I use Bifen It in hose end sprayer. 2 oz per gallon is what the label says for mosquitos. It takes care of fire ants too. I've had no fleas, ticks, roaches or other unwanted pests around. I spray the yard, patio, shrubs, driveways and siding about once a month and soak everything well. You'd be amazed how far 2 ounces goes when diluted the gallon. Most live bugs I see are crawling to their slow death.

will.mcg said:

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No one has explained where to spray. Is everyone assuming OP will actually read the directions on the label?

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I spray at the edge/under the siding or stone, around the windows, and thresholds.

will.mcg said:

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No one has explained where to spray. Is everyone assuming OP will actually read the directions on the label?

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Re-read the OP and great point.

I spray monthly. Have a Calendar reminder set up for this purpose. I rotate every other month between the Bifen IT (Talstar/Bifenthrin) and Demon WP (Cypermethrin). I don't know if that makes a huge difference, but, it makes me feel better. If you look at most products, reviews are usually 4* or higher. Consistency is probably more important than product with synthetic pyrethroids

I spray in sweeping motions on the perimeter of the house and try and cover 3' up and 3' out. When I hit windows and doors I spray around them as well. Again, the quality B&G sprayer makes this much easier.

If I see mud dobbers, wasps nests, etc. around the soffets, I'll spot treat those areas. Corners I spray from ground to roof. Maybe once every 6 months I'll grab a step stool and do a thorough job on the entire perimeter of the soffet.

Talstar months I'll spray baseboards around doors and bathrooms inside the house. I make sure and do this when we're leaving the house for a few hours so it has plenty of time to dry.

For protection I wear nitrile gloves when mixing. When spraying I switch to the longer PVC dishwashing type gloves, a simple face mask, rubber boots, and polycarbonate eyewear (Oakley's). Hose the gloves and boots when done, toss the mask, and wipe the glasses. Change clothes right away after. Overkill or not enough depending on who you ask

Bumping because I am getting my game face on this year.

I am looking at using Talstar P Professional Insecticide and NyGuard IGR. All for outdoor use. Main issue is mosquitos. They ruined our time at the pool in the evenings.

Going to buy a good sprayer but holding off on the gas powered for now. If it becomes too hard manual I may change my mind later.

Anything else I am missing / recommended?

Bumping trying to get a bit of traction so I get get my order in and start spraying hopefully the last week of February....

Also...adding mosquito bits to my "list" to put in our gutter draings that go under and just pop up and cause stagnat water when there is no pressure to push it out...

Cyzmic CS is the generic version of Demand CS is going to last longer than Talstar Professional.

D-Fense SC Insecticide with Deltamethrin has the same active ingredient as the popular Suspend SC Insecticide, but is much less expensive plus very good knockdown power.

Also Scourge by Bayer is a mosquito adulticide uses pyrethroid resmethrin with PBO.

BurnetAggie99 said:

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Cyzmic CS is the generic version of Demand CS is going to last longer than Talstar Professional.

D-Fense SC Insecticide with Deltamethrin has the same active ingredient as the popular Suspend SC Insecticide, but is much less expensive plus very good knockdown power.

Also Scourge by Bayer is a mosquito adulticide uses pyrethroid resmethrin with PBO.

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AHHH....you just shredded my list

I will take a look at what you are suggesting....

planoaggie123 said:

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BurnetAggie99 said:

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Cyzmic CS is the generic version of Demand CS is going to last longer than Talstar Professional.

D-Fense SC Insecticide with Deltamethrin has the same active ingredient as the popular Suspend SC Insecticide, but is much less expensive plus very good knockdown power.

Also Scourge by Bayer is a mosquito adulticide uses pyrethroid resmethrin with PBO.

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AHHH....you just shredded my list

I will take a look at what you are suggesting....

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You still mix NyGuard IGR with a lot of those I mentioned. Just wanted to give what I've used for pests and mosquito control. I also have my commercial TDA pesticide/herbicide license

BurnetAggie99 said:

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planoaggie123 said:

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BurnetAggie99 said:

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Cyzmic CS is the generic version of Demand CS is going to last longer than Talstar Professional.

D-Fense SC Insecticide with Deltamethrin has the same active ingredient as the popular Suspend SC Insecticide, but is much less expensive plus very good knockdown power.

Also Scourge by Bayer is a mosquito adulticide uses pyrethroid resmethrin with PBO.

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AHHH....you just shredded my list

I will take a look at what you are suggesting....

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You still mix NyGuard IGR with a lot of those I mentioned. Just wanted to give what I've used for pests and mosquito control. I also have my commercial TDA pesticide/herbicide license

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Why does it seem like, on "domyown" that Talstar P ($40 per quarter) is cheaper than Cyzmic CS ($89 per quarter)

Is that right? It is more but just a better product?

Would you do like Cyzmic + NyGuard?

Clearly I do not have my commercial license haha

planoaggie123 said:

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BurnetAggie99 said:

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planoaggie123 said:

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BurnetAggie99 said:

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Cyzmic CS is the generic version of Demand CS is going to last longer than Talstar Professional.

D-Fense SC Insecticide with Deltamethrin has the same active ingredient as the popular Suspend SC Insecticide, but is much less expensive plus very good knockdown power.

Also Scourge by Bayer is a mosquito adulticide uses pyrethroid resmethrin with PBO.

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AHHH....you just shredded my list

I will take a look at what you are suggesting....

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You still mix NyGuard IGR with a lot of those I mentioned. Just wanted to give what I've used for pests and mosquito control. I also have my commercial TDA pesticide/herbicide license

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Why does it seem like, on "domyown" that Talstar P ($40 per quarter) is cheaper than Cyzmic CS ($89 per quarter)

Is that right? It is more but just a better product?

Would you do like Cyzmic + NyGuard?

Clearly I do not have my commercial license haha

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Yea Cyzmic CS is stronger and you use less to treat. Plus it's Micro Encapsulated so it's last longer and can withstand harsh environments. Also it's a Cap Vantage insecticide so it gets on the body and hairs of pests and works real good on flying insects. Mix it with NyGuard for extra protection across board

Awesome. Thanks for that. Looks like I will go with Cyzmic + NyGuard.

We had a pretty rough mosquito problem last year so willing to spend a bit extra to be able to enjoy our backyard which is all we want to do in the summer.

Also make sure your water you use to mix the PH is 6 - 7 PH. This key it's often overlooked when mixing insecticide and herbicides. If PH is not neutral effects your chemical. Keep PH strips on hand test your water then add what you need to lower or raise your PH level to 6-7 PH when you mix your chemical.

http://psep.cce.cornell.edu/facts-slides-self/facts/gen-peapp-ph.aspx

Is it too early to get started spraying? I am thinking about starting this weekend....may have dead trees / bushes / grass but want to ensure I also have dead mosquitos....

What is the advantage of mixing NYguard? Am I missing something, or does it target a specific pest the other does not? I read the list and it seems redundant..

Also I second getting the B&G sprayer, don't waste time and money on garden sprayer.

Seems like they are different but maybe i missed something / dont understand chemicals lol.

would be interested if someone can confirm or deny this....

Hoping to get the sprayer out on Saturday/Sunday...

Put out first application this AM and I think I am glad I did...

I just got in from cleaning out pool skimmer basket and in it were four large, dead, mosquitos. I wasn't expecting to see mosquitos that size so soon after the freeze but i guess it can happen...

Hoping it's a sign of my spraying actually working...I keep seeing a lot of dead mosquitos in pool. All are pretty good size. Hopefully not a sign of a busy mosquito season.