When it comes to insect and spider repellents, the market is flooded with options. From store-bought solutions and homemade concoctions to local professional pest management services, it's hard to know what will be effective — and within your budget. We don't have a ton of time to be managing indoor infestations, so this year, we explored both Pestie and Zevo to test their effectiveness against an ant infestation and common indoor pests.
Pestie
Pestie is a comprehensive pest control solution designed for ease of use and tailored to your home's specific needs. We tested a one-time application earlier this year to combat a thriving ant population, but you can also subscribe to get four shipments and save 35%.
The service is straightforward:
- Plans start at $55, but decrease in price based on the scope of your subscription.
- Each order is customized based on whether you're trying to treat an active pest problem or prevent future pest issues.
- When you order, Pestie will consider your zip code to assess your climate and other factors that may influence the solution of your repellent. It'll also pull a list of the most common pests in your area, and allow you to rank them to qualify which are most problematic to your household. Our area has a broad spectrum of pests.
- The pro-grade formula is then customized to be effective for the issue(s) you described. It ships in a small bottle or pouch, along with a plastic application bag and a rechargeable sprayer. The package includes a "use by" date because the chemical makeup of the repellent does expire or lose effectiveness over time.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that this product is easy for consumers to mix and apply. The formula and water are added to the application bag as instructed, and the rechargeable sprayer projects a mist of the solution anywhere you need it. To clarify, this isn't a spray bottle, it's even easier to use and the spray nozzle is excellent for hard-to-reach areas. To get to the bottom of an ant infestation, Pestie recommended and sent me a one-time application that I put around the perimeter of our house. I targeted the entire exterior of my home's foundation, including window wells and the lower section of siding. Within 48 hours, we had no more ants in our house (and it was an intense infestation). While many of our friends are hiring expensive crews to blanket their lawns and treat for issues, we've encouraged them to try this DIY alternative.
Product Details
- Works on 100+ pests
- Based on location and pest types
- Battery-powered pump (no compression sprayers needed)
- Free shipping and guaranteed results
- Designed for people, pets and the planet
- Access to expert support
- Proven, professional-grade pesticides and bug deterrents
Zevo
While the outdoor treatment did its job, we've also been using Zevo sprays and flying insect traps to manage insects and spiders inside our home. For years, we've struggled to keep spiders from setting up camp around a main — but lesser-used — entryway. At the beginning of the summer, we wiped down and evicted any of the spiders and webs that were squatting in the windows and around the floorboards, and doused the area with Zevo's Ant, Roach, and Spider insect-killing spray. Not only am I confident that it killed any remaining, tiny spiders upon contact, but one month later, there's still no evidence of new spiders setting up home. I attribute this to the cornmint and rosemary essential oil scent used in the product; both scents are natural deterrents.
Flying insects are another matter. For example, there's a nightlight in our bathroom near the window, and it produces just enough light to lure the smallest insects through our screen window at night. To combat it, I've been testing the flying insect traps with great results, as shown above. The only issue I foresee? How many times I'm going to have to keep changing the sticky sheet within the trap.
