If you cannot afford an exterminator which typically costs $150 to $300 for a one-time visit and $1,000 to $3,000 for bed bugs or termites, there are low-cost DIY and community resources that can help you control pests effectively with persistence and integrated methods. Start with free prevention measures including sanitation, which means storing food in sealed containers, cleaning crumbs and grease daily, taking out trash regularly, vacuuming floors and under appliances to remove food sources, and decluttering to reduce hiding places. For exclusion, seal cracks around windows and doors with caulk costing $5 to $10, install door sweeps, and use steel wool to block holes where mice enter, as mice can enter through a hole the size of a dime. For direct control, use low-cost products like gel baits for cockroaches and ants containing fipronil costing $10 to $25 per tube placed in cracks behind appliances, snap traps for rodents costing $5 to $15, food-grade diatomaceous earth costing $10 to $15 per bag lightly dusted in wall voids to dehydrate insects, and for mosquitoes remove all standing water which is free. For bed bugs, wash bedding in hot water and dry on high heat above 120 degrees, vacuum daily, encase mattresses in $30 encasements, and use interceptors. Check for assistance from local health departments, housing authorities, nonprofits, and some pest control companies that offer payment plans or discounts for low-income families. While DIY takes more effort and time, consistent sanitation and exclusion can control many pests without professional service.
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