DIY pest control guides
Straightforward, honest guides to dealing with common household pests yourself. When a problem is bigger than a do-it-yourself fix, we'll say so plainly — and show what a professional treatment actually costs.
📊 Data study: which pests Americans handle themselves vs. hire a pro for →
How to Get Rid of Fruit FliesA simple, proven way to get rid of fruit flies: find the source, set a vinegar trap, clean your drains, and stop them coming back. No exterminator needed. How to Get Rid of GnatsGet rid of gnats for good: identify which gnat you have, dry out the soil, trap the adults with yellow sticky traps, and kill the larvae with BTI. Step by step. How to Get Rid of MiceHow to get rid of mice: set snap traps where mice actually run, seal entry points, clean up safely, and skip the gadgets that don’t work. Plus when to call a pro. How to Get Rid of AntsHow to get rid of ants the right way: use bait to kill the whole colony instead of spraying the trail (which makes it worse), seal entry points, and spot carpenter ants. How to Get Rid of RatsHow to get rid of rats: pre-bait and set the right snap traps where rats travel, seal the gaps they use, cut off food and water, and know when it’s past DIY. How to Get Rid of CockroachesHow to get rid of cockroaches for good: use gel bait (not sprays, never foggers), cut off food and water, seal harborages, and know when roaches need a pro. How to Get Rid of MothsHow to get rid of moths: first tell pantry moths from clothes moths, then clear and clean the source, trap the adults with pheromone traps, and protect what they eat. How to Get Rid of Wasps & HornetsHow to get rid of wasps and hornets: treat the nest safely after dark, cut foraging with traps, seal nest sites, and know which nests to leave to a pro. How to Get Rid of MosquitoesHow to get rid of mosquitoes: eliminate the standing water they breed in, treat resting areas, use repellents that actually work, and keep them out of the house. How to Get Rid of TicksHow to get rid of ticks: treat the yard edges where they live, protect yourself with permethrin and repellents, check pets, and remove an attached tick correctly. How to Get Rid of SpidersHow to get rid of spiders: reduce the insects they eat, remove webs and egg sacs, seal entry points, use glue traps in corners, and spot the dangerous species. How to Get Rid of FleasHow to get rid of fleas: treat your pet, then break the life cycle in the home with washing, vacuuming and an IGR treatment, and treat the shady yard hotspots. How to Get Rid of Bed BugsHow to get rid of bed bugs: confirm them, contain with encasements and interceptors, heat-treat what you can, and understand why most infestations need a pro.