Anyone spray for bugs themselves?

[Mom2micayla]

We have an exterminator that comes out every month. I think he's reasonable at $35/m, but all I can think is if I did it myself that I could potentially save a decent amount of $$.

I'm just not sure what to use. My primary concern is roaches (loads of foreclosed houses around here, so they are far to prevalent for my liking!) and black widows. Never had any roaches or black widows in the house and I want to keep it that way. Can it be done with any easily bought bug sprays? Any recommendations?

 

[TexasTom]

I have been using Ortho Home Defense for about two years. I spray inside and outside the house. I still have little spiders but not as much as before.

 

[2bearsmom]

I agree, Ortho Home Defense is the best! We spray spring and fall and we rarely have anything inside the house, an occasional spider in the basement but nothing in the rest of the house. I thought this was the spray that once you spray and it dries (like along the baseboards in the house) it's not toxic....I could be wrong though. I would love for this stuff to work on stink bug beetles as I can not get rid of them to save my life. Not that they do anything but they are so annoying!

 

[hcmommy]

bump

 

[Cheryllynn74]

Yep. We've used the Ortho and another brand too (can't remember which) and both worked great. DH sprays around the outside base of house, top of house, around outside of windows and inside around base boards in certain areas. We have pets, so I am careful about where he sprays inside. We have a few outside pets too though and never had any problem.

 

[LackeyGang]

has anyone heard the best way to keep the pesky ant population down? lol anything to spray that's not toxic and cheap? We have 18month and a shipoo. TIA

 

[windycitymom]

Interesting thread...we have black ants in kitchen and have noticed ants with wings coming up through our bathroom vent. We sprayed Raid and use ant traps, yet they won't go away. I called out Orkin for a quote, and it is approximately $100 every 3 months (but you can call them for free in between). Shall I part with $400 for coverage for one year or try something else???

Does anyone use Orkin (or Terminex)? How does this Ortho Home Defense compare to having someone come out?

 

[sydneysmom]

I have been using Ortho Home Defense for about two years. I spray inside and outside the house. I still have little spiders but not as much as before.

same here....we swear by this stuff. I find dead spiders every now and then....when you first spray, it's like a bug grave yard !!!

 

[Tooth Fairy]

my neighbor and I had ants every spring for years(front door, back door,kitchen and dog food bowl area). she suggested this used once and haven't had any for 2 or 3 springs now. Also used at my mothers home in a very rural area. Great stuff. Don't know if it works on roaches..never had them. Lowes hardware about $13 for a can but haven't even used one can to treat my house and mom's. Used little straw thingi to get in crevices..didn't spray baseboards. Have a dog!

 

[shortbun]

I have a real problem with toxic sprays in or around my home. I am waaaay more afraid of neurological damage to me, my child and my pet than I am ants, spiders or flies.

 

[heatherleigh]

My husband loved to do this in our previous house, and I never liked it. I always found scorpions and other insects despite him spraying. I found them using the exterminator, but not as many.

I hate insects, and I had to be especially careful because of our small children. Scorpions in the desert are potentially fatal to babies, the elderly, or those with immune compromising illnesses.

Forgot to add that the brand we used when we did it ourselves was called "Home Defense". My in-laws still swear by it, and it can be purchased at Home Depot.

 

[dizneechic]

I have been using Ortho Home Defense for about two years. I spray inside and outside the house. I still have little spiders but not as much as before.

Same with us.

 

[LackeyGang]

I have been using Ortho Home Defense for about two years. I spray inside and outside the house. I still have little spiders but not as much as before.

I guess this is what I'll be buying! Thanks.
Btw the little ants with wings I believe are called wood ants...I could be wrong, but that's what I heard on TV HTH

 

[5stljayhawks]

I had these hole boring #*($@&)*%^&! show up this year. Talked with the home depot guy and he recommend Bayer. Not only did it take care of these bees, it works on termites, ants all sorts of criters. I have only sprayed outside, wife has a cat.

Have also use ortho home defs, results are questionalbe, big black ants are back year after year.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

For ants, we spot treat near the activity with a bait gell. It comes in an oversized syringe looking dispenser. Within a few days the colony dies off.
I don't know the brand, but we got it at home depot in the bug killer aisle.