Decide
Do it yourself or hire a pro
Plenty of pest problems are fine to handle yourself. Others go much better with a licensed company. Here's how to decide.
What Texas law allows #
You can do pest control on your own home without a license, whether you own it or rent it. Texas law says so directly.
There are limits:
- You must follow the product label. That's the law for everyone who uses a pesticide.
- Products labeled "restricted use" or "state-limited use" are only for certified applicators and people working under their direct supervision. They're not for home use.
- Anyone you pay to do pest work needs a license, even a handyman or a neighbor. That includes inspecting, figuring out what the pest is, and giving a price.
Good do-it-yourself jobs #
These often go well on your own, with patience and the right product:
- Ants in the kitchen. Clean up, seal gaps, and use bait instead of spray. See the ant guide.
- Fire ants in the yard. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends a two-step bait method for yards with many mounds. See the ant guide.
- A big roach now and then. Seal doors and gaps, and keep drains full of water. See the roach guide.
- An early German roach problem. Serious cleanup plus bait can do it, if you stick with it.
- A mouse or two. Seal holes and use snap traps. See the rats and mice guide.
- Mosquitoes. Dumping standing water every week and using repellent do the most good. See the mosquito guide.
- Fleas. Work with your vet on pet treatment, and vacuum a lot. See the fleas and ticks guide.
- Occasional scorpions. Sealing and yard cleanup are the main tools. See the scorpion guide.
Times to call a licensed company #
- Termites. Treatment takes special drilling and pressure equipment. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension doesn't recommend doing it yourself. See the termite guide.
- Bed bugs in more than one room, or in an apartment. Pros have tools like whole-room heat treatment. See the bed bug guide.
- German roaches that won't quit after a month of steady cleaning and baiting.
- Rodents in walls, the attic, or air ducts, or a problem you can't find the entry points for.
- Drywood termites that need fumigation. This takes a special license category.
- Tawny crazy ants, or carpenter ants nesting indoors.
- Wasps or bees in walls, or large nests close to doors and walkways.
- When you'd rather not handle pesticides yourself, for any reason.
A middle path #
You don't have to pick one or the other.
- Get the pest identified. Your county Extension office can help. See how to get a bug identified.
- Do the free and cheap steps. Seal gaps, fix leaks, and cut back on food, water, and clutter. These help with almost every pest, and they make any treatment work better.
- Hire for the hard part. Some people pay for a one-time treatment and handle prevention themselves.
Before you try it yourself #
Do it yourself or hire a proPest Control Helper
Before you start
Read Using pesticides with care before you start.
If you rent #
Renters have more options than many people think.
Tell your landlord in writing. Describe the problem and where you've seen it. Keep a copy, plus photos and dates. If your lease is in writing and says notice must be in writing, Texas law requires written notice. Put it in writing either way.
Know the basic rule. Texas Property Code section 92.052 covers repairs. A landlord must make a diligent effort to repair a condition that materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant. For the duty to kick in, you must give notice to the place where you normally pay rent, and you must be current on rent. The landlord doesn't have to fix problems caused by the tenant, people in the household, or guests, unless it's normal wear and tear. Texas legal aid guides list roaches and rats as examples of problems a landlord may have to fix. Whether a particular pest problem counts depends on the facts.
Give a reasonable time. Texas law presumes seven days is a reasonable time to make a repair in many cases. Sending your notice by certified mail or another tracked service matters for some remedies. TexasLawHelp.org's Right to Repairs as a Tenant explains the steps.
Don't withhold rent. Texas legal aid guides warn that holding back rent can get you evicted. Follow the steps in the law instead.
Apartment owners must use licensed help. In Texas, the owner of an apartment building can only get pest control from a licensed provider or a licensed employee.
Be careful treating on your own. Pests like German roaches and bed bugs move between units, so treating only your apartment may not work. Foggers (bug bombs) are a poor choice here. They often don't reach the cracks where roaches and bed bugs hide, and the spray can catch fire near a pilot light or other flame.
When you're ready to hire #
Read How to find a licensed company, check the license, and see what pest control costs.
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