Is Paying for Professional Pest Control in Salt Lake City Worth It?
By Thorn Team • Oct 8th 2025
Have you ever asked yourself, “Can I just take care of this problem myself?” It’s a fair question—and in many cases, like fixing a loose drawer or patching a wall, the answer is yes. But pests are a different story.
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about pest control, including DIY methods, professional services, and overall costs, so you can make an informed decision on whether they’re worth it for you.
DIY vs. Professional Pest Control
The Benefits, Risks, and When It Makes Sense
DIY Pest Control
DIY pest control is a common first step for many homeowners. This method involves using store-bought materials such as baits, traps, and insecticides, or home remedies like vinegar solutions or essential oils.
Benefits:
- Cost-effective for minor issues: Simple or small infestations, such as a few ants, spiders, or flies, can often be managed with basic, inexpensive materials.
- Immediate action: You can take action the moment you notice pest activity–no waiting for appointments, callbacks, or scheduling delays.
- Sense of control: Tackling small pest problems on your own can feel rewarding and empowering. You might even learn a few things about pest behavior along the way!
Risks:
- Limited effectiveness: Most over-the-counter materials solve surface issues, but not the root cause of infestations. You might eliminate what you see, but pests often return if their nest, colony, or entry point isn’t addressed, leading to a frustrating cycle of re-infestation.
- Misidentification: Without proper identification, it’s easy to target the wrong pest or use the wrong approach entirely. Carpenter ants and pavement ants, for example, look similar, but the areas you treat and the strategies you use are completely different.
- Health and safety concerns: Improper use or overapplication of materials can create unnecessary risks for people, pets, and the environment. Many pest control materials must be measured, mixed, and applied with precision to be both safe and effective.
When DIY Makes Sense
As a professional opinion, we don’t recommend DIY methods in most situations. However, they do have a time and place.
If the issue is small, contained, and easy to identify, DIY pest control can be a reasonable short-term solution. The key is knowing your limits and recognizing that if pest activity persists, spreads, or involves potentially harmful insects, rodents, or animals, it’s time to bring in a professional.
Professional Pest Control
Professional pest control involves partnering with a trained expert to manage your pest problem. A typical service includes inspection, identification, treatment, and prevention. Follow-up visits may vary depending on the effectiveness of the initial service and the company’s specific policies.
Benefits:
- Complete inspection and identification: A reliable pest company will thoroughly inspect your property to find and identify the pest, determine the extent of the infestation, and locate the source or entry points.
- Targeted treatments: The materials and techniques used should be specific to your unique situation. Science-based methods, like those used at Thorn, are selected based on pest biology, habitat, and safety.
- Long-term prevention: Prevention is arguably the most valuable part of professional pest control. An expert can identify conducive conditions, seal potential entry points, and make environmental recommendations to reduce pest activity. Additionally, many companies also offer regular monitoring and ongoing service plans.
Risks:
- Cost considerations: Professional treatments are often a higher investment compared to DIY methods. The initial service and any ongoing maintenance can add up, especially for larger properties or persistent pest issues.
- Scheduling and access: Services typically require appointments and may need entry into specific areas of your home or business. This can be inconvenient for busy schedules or when immediate service isn’t available.
- Unreliable providers: Just like any industry, pest control has companies that cut corners or use outdated methods. Poor-quality service can lead to ineffective treatments, wasted money, and frustration.
When Professional Services Make Sense
Professional pest control makes sense when pest activity is beyond what you can safely or effectively manage yourself. This includes infestations that are widespread, persistent, or involve pests that pose health or safety risks, like wasps, cockroaches, and rodents.
If you’re unsure whether you need professional help, Thorn is happy to discuss your situation. Our team will answer your questions honestly and let you know if it’s something you can manage or if professional treatment would be the best option.
Comparing Costs
What You’re Really Paying For
When comparing DIY and professional pest control, it’s easy to focus on the price tag. A $40 to $75 bottle of material sounds much better than a $100 to $600 price range for a one-time professional visit.*
The real difference comes down to value and what you’re actually getting for the money you spend. A simple way to think about it is:
- DIY = Lower Initial Cost, Long-Term Risks
- Professional Service = Higher Upfront Cost, Long-Term Savings
DIY methods can work as a quick fix for small or isolated problems, but they rarely address the root cause. Repeated treatments, ongoing purchases, and persistent infestations can quickly increase the cost.
Professional pest control is an investment in prevention. By identifying and treating the source of pest activity, professionals provide lasting protection. The result is fewer infestations, less disruption, and lower overall costs in the long run.
*Pricing ranges are averages, not guarantees. Actual costs can vary depending on location, property size, type of pest, and infestation size.
So, Is Professional Pest Control Worth It?
Yes, professional pest control is worth the investment if you’re seeking long-term solutions, but it’s important to work with a team you can trust.
At Thorn, we offer complete pest management services using the best methods, tools, and residential insecticides in Salt Lake City, UT. With over 15 years of experience, industry certifications, and a team of in-house entomologists, we approach every pest issue with biology, data, and prevention in mind.
If you’re dealing with a pest, we’re ready to help you find the smartest, safest, and most effective solution. Contact us today.
About Thorn
Thorn is a Utah local pest management company. We are a QualityPro certified company which is a prestigious accreditation awarded to less than 3% of the pest management companies in the US.
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About Thorn
Thorn is a Utah local pest management company. We are a QualityPro certified company which is a prestigious accreditation awarded to less than 3% of the pest management companies in the US.