Silver Bullet Pest ControlDIY Pest Control vs. Hiring a Pest Control Company: Understanding the Difference
Straight answers from Silver Bullet Pest Control, a licensed exterminator based in Garfield, NJ, serving Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. Call or text 973-510-2585. Hablamos español.
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DIY Pest Control vs. Hiring a Pest Control Company
DIY pest control can work for small, simple problems like a few ants or a single mouse. It usually falls short with established infestations (German roaches, bed bugs, termites), wildlife in the attic, stinging insect nests, or anything that keeps coming back, because store products don't reach where pests live and don't fix how they got in. A professional finds the source, uses the right product in the right place and backs the work with a guarantee. Silver Bullet Pest Control: 973-510-2585.
When DIY is fine and when it isn't
| Problem | DIY OK? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A few ants in summer | Often | Baits and cleanup may be enough |
| One mouse in the garage | Sometimes | If you also seal the gap |
| German roaches | Rarely | They breed fast and hide in walls |
| Bed bugs | No | Store products rarely work; spreads easily |
| Termites | No | Hidden damage; needs professional treatment |
| Squirrels, raccoons, bats | No | Legal rules, exclusion and safety |
| Wasp or hornet nest | Risky | Stings, ladders, allergic reactions |
| Pest keeps coming back | No | The source hasn't been found |
What store products can't do
- Reach the source. Most pests live in walls, voids and under floors where sprays don't go.
- Fix the entry point. Without sealing, new pests keep coming.
- Target the species. The right treatment depends on exactly which pest it is.
- Avoid making it worse. Foggers scatter roaches; spraying bait repels insects from it; disturbing bed bugs spreads them.
What we see on these jobs
The three situations behind most of these calls in North Jersey:
Mice & Rats
- Droppings in cabinets
- Scratching in the walls
- Burrows in the yard
Our mice and rodent service includes 90 days of coverage with unlimited free service calls in that time.
Roaches, Ants & Bed Bugs
- Roaches in the kitchen
- Ant trails after rain
- Bites after sleeping
Indoor insects need the right product in the right place, not a spray on the open floor. Roach treatment carries a 90-day warranty.
Squirrels, Raccoons & Bats
- Noises in the attic
- Chewed rooflines
- Bats at dusk
We remove wildlife and seal the way in. We're licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife.
The real cost comparison
DIY looks cheaper at first, but sprays, traps and foggers bought over and over add up, and an infestation that grows while you try things costs more to treat later. Damage from termites, rodents chewing wires or wildlife in the attic can cost far more than the treatment. A professional service with a warranty means you're not paying twice. Our roach and termite treatments carry a 90-day warranty, our One-Time Mouse Service is 100% guaranteed, and regular service comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
How to decide
Try DIY for small, one-time problems. Call a professional when the pest is inside living spaces, is breeding, could be dangerous (stinging insects, wildlife, rodents), damages the house, or comes back. With over 15 years of experience and NJ Pesticide License 90568B, we're glad to give you an honest opinion, even if the answer is that you don't need us. See residential pest control and pest control FAQ.
Simple ways to prevent it
Look before it spreads
Check under sinks, the basement and the attic a few times a year.
Seal the outside
Close gaps around pipes, vents and doors.
Control moisture
Fix leaks and use a dehumidifier in damp basements.
Text a photo
Not sure what you found? Text it to 973-510-2585.
How Silver Bullet handles it
Call or text a photo
Tell us what you're seeing and where. A photo often lets us identify the pest right away. We answer 24/7 for emergencies.
Inspection
A licensed tech finds the source: where the pest lives, how it gets in and what draws it.
Treatment or removal
We use the right method for the pest, placed where it works and kept away from kids and pets.
Seal and prevent
We close entry points and tell you what to change so the problem doesn't come back.
Get Help From a Licensed Exterminator
Call or text 973-510-2585 for the fastest answer, or tell us what's going on and we'll get back to you quickly.
Calls we get every week
- Mice or rats in the house
- Roaches in the kitchen
- Noises in the attic
- A wasp nest by the door
- Bed bugs after travel
Request Service
🔒 Your info stays private · Hablamos español.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DIY pest control as good as professional?
For small, simple problems it can be. For established infestations, wildlife, termites and bed bugs, professional treatment works far better.
Is it cheaper to do pest control myself?
At first. Repeat purchases and a growing infestation often cost more in the end.
Do store-bought roach bombs work?
Not well. They scatter roaches deeper into walls.
Can I remove a wasp nest myself?
It's risky. Stings, ladders and allergic reactions are real dangers.
Why do pests keep coming back after DIY?
Store products rarely reach the source or seal the entry point.
Do you guarantee your work?
Regular service has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and several treatments carry warranties.
Do you work weekends?
We answer 24/7 and can send a tech at any hour for emergencies.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes. Hablamos español.
Can you identify a bug from a photo?
Usually. Text a clear photo to 973-510-2585.
Are you licensed?
Yes. We hold NJ Pesticide License 90568B.
How long have you been in business?
Over 15 years.
Do you offer a money-back guarantee?
Yes. Ask us how it applies to your service.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes. Hablamos español.
Can you identify a bug from a photo?
Yes. Text it to 973-510-2585.
Do you handle emergencies?
Yes. We answer 24/7 and can send a tech at any hour; arrival depends on your location.
How often should I get pest control?
It depends on the pest and the building. Many homes do fine with treatment when there's a problem; restaurants and multi-family buildings benefit from scheduled service.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes. Call or text 973-510-2585.
Do I need to leave the house during treatment?
Usually not for most services. We'll tell you if anyone should stay out of a room and for how long.
Will you tell me if I don't need a pro?
Yes. Call or text 973-510-2585 for an honest opinion.
Serving North Jersey
Based in Garfield, we serve these towns and the rest of Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
Our service area
Bergen County
973-510-2585- Allendale
- Bergenfield
- Bogota
- Carlstadt
- Cliffside Park
- Closter
- Cresskill
- Demarest
- Dumont
- East Rutherford
- Edgewater
- Elmwood Park
- Emerson
- Englewood
- Englewood Cliffs
- Fair Lawn
- Fairview
- Fort Lee
- Franklin Lakes
- Garfield
- Glen Rock
- Hackensack
- Harrington Park
- Hasbrouck Heights
- Haworth
- Hillsdale
- Ho-Ho-Kus
- Leonia
- Little Ferry
- Lodi
- Lyndhurst
- Mahwah
- Maywood
- Midland Park
- Montvale
- Moonachie
- New Milford
- North Arlington
- Northvale
- Norwood
- Oakland
- Old Tappan
- Oradell
- Palisades Park
- Paramus
- Park Ridge
- Ramsey
- Ridgefield
- Ridgefield Park
- Ridgewood
- River Edge
- River Vale
- Rochelle Park
- Rutherford
- Saddle Brook
- Saddle River
- South Hackensack
- Teaneck
- Tenafly
- Teterboro
- Upper Saddle River
- Waldwick
- Wallington
- Washington Township
- Westwood
- Woodcliff Lake
- Wood-Ridge
- Wyckoff
Passaic County
973-510-2585- Bloomingdale
- Clifton
- Haledon
- Hawthorne
- Little Falls
- North Haledon
- Passaic
- Paterson
- Pompton Lakes
- Prospect Park
- Ringwood
- Totowa
- Wanaque
- Wayne
- West Milford
- Woodland Park
Essex County
973-510-2585- Belleville
- Bloomfield
- Caldwell
- Cedar Grove
- East Orange
- Essex Fells
- Fairfield
- Glen Ridge
- Irvington
- Livingston
- Maplewood
- Millburn
- Montclair
- Newark
- North Caldwell
- Nutley
- Orange
- Roseland
- Short Hills
- South Orange
- Verona
- West Caldwell
- West Orange
Hudson County
973-510-2585Union County
973-510-2585- Berkeley Heights
- Clark
- Cranford
- Elizabeth
- Fanwood
- Garwood
- Hillside
- Kenilworth
- Linden
- Mountainside
- New Providence
- Plainfield
- Rahway
- Roselle
- Roselle Park
- Scotch Plains
- Springfield
- Summit
- Union
- Westfield
Morris County
973-510-2585- Boonton
- Butler
- Cedar Knolls
- Chatham
- Denville
- Dover
- East Hanover
- Florham Park
- Hanover
- Kinnelon
- Lincoln Park
- Madison
- Mendham
- Montville
- Morris Plains
- Morristown
- Mountain Lakes
- Parsippany
- Pequannock
- Randolph
- Riverdale
- Rockaway
- Roxbury
- Whippany
Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B