If you are doing your own pest control, you really should get a spray can that will last a long time. When I first started treating for bugs in the pest industry I did not even know what I was missing. I had some customer complaints because of how wide the spray was getting on the inside of the customer’s homes, and the spray left a small white residue. I was just getting started and thought I could make it work with a cheap $10 dollar can. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money for the tools I needed just to get started.
When I saw how the customers were responding to the treatment I then decided I needed a better spray can. I have tried many different spray cans over the years and I found the one in my opinion that works best.
The spray can I recommend for pest control is the 1-gallon B&G spray can. It’s PERFECT for pest maintenance! This spray can has a 4-way tip for pin stream and fan spray capabilities, and most of the pieces are replaceable and customizable. If you have more area to treat and you don’t want to constantly fill your can you may want to consider the 2-gallon B&G spray can. Both of these options are a great way to do pest control in your home accurately.
There are other good options available at Home Depot and Tractor Supply also has a good option, but I hear too many complaints about those spray cans, so I recommend sticking with the B&G spray can.
What to Look for In A Pest Control Spray Can
In my opinion, these are the most important things to look for:
- Having the capability to switch from a pin stream to a fan spray. There are areas where you will want a more broad application to cover a bigger space, and there are times where you will need to get into a crevice or you want to avoid overshooting and having a pin stream option gives you that precision.
- Precision the spray can you get should start and stop spraying exactly where and when you want it to. Not all spray cans have this type of accuracy so I feel it is important when you are using a pesticide, that the equipment you use to spray it has precision.
- You want a reliable can. Nothing is worse than going to spray for the first time in a while and picking up your can and something is wrong with it. Having something that will work every time you go to use it is important.
Not all spray cans are created equal. For example, I have heard many complaints about the Chapin 1-gallon plastic tank sprayer. I also heard from someone who said they had a lawn and garden 1-gallon plastic sprayer wand just snap on them after putting pressure on it for the first time. These products will waste your money if you have to keep going out and buying a new one after only a few applications.
One choice you will need to make is between stainless steel sprayers and plastic. I personally lean toward the stainless steel sprayer if you can afford one, but often they can be very expensive (often over $250!). The benefit of the stainless steel sprayer is a nice, reliable, precise application. Also, the parts will last much longer. On some plastic sprayers depending on weather and where you live the parts can freeze and break or wear out and melt in sunlight.
Another thing to make sure of is that the pump of the spray can you get is made out of brass or stainless steel. Sprayers are so easily broken and that is why you will want to make sure it is made with quality parts.
The last thing you’ll need to know in choosing a spray can is to make sure it has the proper fittings for the application that you are deciding to spray, whether you decide you are going to treat the inside or the outside of your home or both you will want to make sure that the spray can you purchase can work well in those applications. An example of this would be that the precision you need on the inside of your home would be a pin stream fitting, whereas the outside application can be a little broader.
Types of Spray Cans to Consider
- Plastic Sprayer- This is a good cheap option if you are considering getting started with treating your own home, I will say that these cans don’t last very long.
- Hybrid Sprayer- This sprayer has a galvanized reservoir but still has some plastic parts, this is your middle of the road sprayer, and it does last a good amount of time if it is well maintained.
- Stainless Steel Sprayer- This is your top of the line sprayer it has brass fittings and will last forever if taken care of properly. This is the same quality sprayer that pest professionals use.
Tips For Maintaining Your Spray Can
- Make sure to store the can when not in use in a climate controlled environment away from children and pets
- When you aren’t using you spray can make sure to take the pressure off of it so you aren’t putting stress on the washers and other parts while not in use
- There can be build up in the sprayer if your sprayer stops putting out a good stream be sure to clean the filter then try it again
- Only use the sprayer for it’s intended purpose.
- Make sure not to hit anything with the wand especially while under pressure as it could damage or break the wand and cause spray to go everywhere.
- If you store your B&G sprayer in a place where it gets below 32 degrees be sure to drain the chemical out of the wand by opening the top (taking the pressure off) and squeezing the trigger of the wand. It is best to not store your sprayer in an area where there is freezing weather because it can cause the parts to break.
What If I Want Something Cheap
I definitely recommend getting the B&G spray can that I recommended at the start of this article. If you are going to be doing your own pest control for years to come, it’s worth it to have a quality sprayer that will last you many years. However, it is expensive. If you can’t spend that much money, then there’s another great option you can get that will do the job just fine. It won’t have all the same functions but Check it out here on Do my own.com. It essentially gives you almost everything the dedicated spray can has, but you pay much less. It’s just not as convenient is all.
Why Do I Need A Spray Can Anyway
The purpose of a spray can for pest control is the application of a pesticide. You may be surprised at how many people who think it is cheaper to go to a big box store and just purchase a jug of bug spray i.e. ortho home defense, raid and more. The problem with purchasing just any old pesticide is that the application is far less than what is needed to get control over the pests you are trying to eliminate. So like I was saying you will want to purchase the good stuff, and the good stuff comes in a concentrate that needs to be diluted in a spray can. When you buy and use pest control this way, you will save money and have a lot more pesticide for future applications or for other structures on your property (if needed).
Spray cans have a nozzle that will allow you to treat inside and outside the home without having to bend, you will simply walk along the perimeter and the spray nozzle will effectively get the chemical where you want it to go.
Another reason to own a spray can is you are not limited to just single chemical treatments. Some pests need to be treated with a different chemical depending on the result you are trying to get. Also, some pests can build tolerance for some chemicals that are used. So you may need to try more than one chemical if you aren’t getting the desired results.
Conclusion
Whatever spray can you choose, be sure you do get one. It is really worth the investment. Like I mentioned in the introduction I needed to give the customers in my industry the professional and expected experience they deserved and using a $10 plastic can was not going to cut it. Once you get your spray can make sure you store it and maintain it so that it will last you essentially forever. You’ll be so glad to see that you are able to get the same results as the professionals when all is said and done.
