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Poison will kill small rodents and can seem like the quick and easy way to get rid of them. But—in addition to its inhumane nature—poison has some drawbacks. First of all, if you have small children or pets in the home, setting out poison isn't the best idea, as your pets or children could ingest it. 

Poisoned mice and rodents don't die instantly. Instead, it can take several days for the poison to work its way through their system. In the meantime, there's a chance that a predator, such as a cat, fox, or other mammal, will eat the poisoned rodent and become poisoned themselves.

Some snake repellents are risky to use around people and pets because they use the active ingredient in mothballs, naphthalene. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified naphthalene as a carcinogen that can cause damage to the liver, neurological issues, and cataracts. 

The Colorado State University Extension suggests there’s not enough conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of snake repellents to recommend their use.

The cost to hire a pest control specialist varies depending on the type of infestation. For example, the cost to exterminate spiders averages from $100 to $300. Other pest control costs include:

• Ants: $100–$500

• Bed bugs: $350–$5,000

• Cockroaches: $100–$600

• Fleas: $150–$400

• Rodents: $180–$600

• Wasps: $100–$1,300

• Mosquitos: $70–$500

• Bats: $230–$700

• Beehives: $75–$1,500

• Termites: $230–$2,500

• Snakes: $130–$600

• Armadillos: $50–$500

DIY animal removal is rarely a good idea and is not advised for many reasons. First, these types of animals can carry diseases and, therefore, pose a health risk to you, your family, and your pets if mishandled. Second, depending on your city or municipality, it may be illegal to remove or handle wildlife yourself. 

Sealing your home against these animals yourself is also a bad idea. Trapping an animal under your house will cause odor and insect problems when it passes away.