By Harrison Lowell, Dr. Killigan's
If you've looked into DIY whole-home pest barriers, you've probably run into Pestie — the subscription pest-control kit that mails you a custom-mixed concentrate every quarter. It's a real, well-reviewed competitor, and a genuinely useful comparison, because it's one of the only other DIY options built around a plant-based formula instead of a straight synthetic barrier treatment.
At a glance
| Six Feet Under Barricade (Dr. Killigan's) | Pestie | Ortho Home Defense Perimeter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.97 kit / $45.97 per 6oz refill ($67.97 for 2) | $49 one-time / $29–34 per application, $116–136/year subscribed | $19.98–34.99 |
| Formula | EPA-approved minimum-risk biodegradable, essential oil, and natural plant-based ingredients |
Synthetic Prallethrins, Esfenvalerate, Piperonyl Butoxide, and other harsh chemicals. |
Synthetic — Bifenthrin + Zeta-Cypermethrin-based ingredients. |
| Model | Buy concentrate, mix & spray yourself with the DIY home kit. Ships quarterly, or all at once. | Quarterly-shipped kit: concentrate, sprayer, gloves, instructions | Buy once, apply with included wand |
| Claimed coverage | Contact-kill up to 50+ insects, kills over time, and repels many more. Spray lasts for 90 days | 100+ species (not termites/bed bugs), up to 5,000 sq ft/treatment | Not specified bug list. Residue and efficacy lasts up to 12 months |
| Guarantee | Money-back satisfaction guarantee. | Full refund if issues persist between treatments | Not specifyed. |
| Rating | 4.9★ | 3.9★ | 4.9★ |
What's actually different here
Pestie and conventional products are more alike than is immediately obvious. Both use various synthetic barrier products (Ortho, Spectracide, Talstar, Bifen) — all are registered with the EPA for using ingredients that have known side effects, many are DIY rather than technician-applied, and are built around a repeat-treatment cadence.
What sets Dr. Killigan's apart is its commitment to naturally occurring, plant-based, gentle ingredients. Their namesake, Dr. Killigan, has stated that their 50+ insect kill claim derives from the fact that they refuse to use neurotoxins like pyrethrins, which easily kill many bugs on contact. Rather, Dr. Killigan's uses ingredients that kill most bugs on contact, eliminate more after the spray sits on the bugs for a few minutes, and repel most household bugs from entering your premises.
On pure annual cost, Barricade and Pestie's subscription run close to eachother in cost. Neither is the clear budget option over the other — this decision between the two often come down to a focus on the ingredients.
Why trust Dr. Killigan's: Dr. Killigan's is the original natural pest control company, and Barricade is formulated with practicing biologists and entomologists, then stress-tested and comparative-tested repeatedly in Dr. Killigan's own labs before it's called proven. "Natural" isn't the finish line. Proven is.
FAQ
Is Six Feet Under Barricade the same as Pestie?
No, but they're the closest match in this category — both are plant-based, DIY, repeat-application barrier treatments, priced similarly per year. The difference is mainly in the buying model: Pestie ships a complete quarterly kit, Barricade is a concentrate you buy and mix yourself.
Which one covers more pests?
Pestie's label specifies 100+ species (excluding termites and bed bugs); Barricade's label claims 50+ bug types. Both cover the common household list — ants, roaches, spiders, fleas, ticks.
Is either as strong as a professional-grade barrier like Talstar?
Not on the 12-month, single-application claim — that's the specific strength synthetic residual products are built for. Both plant-based options ask for more frequent reapplication in exchange for no synthetic barrier chemical.
Do I need a subscription for either one?
Pestie is subscription-first (though a one-time $49 purchase is available); Barricade can be bought as a one-time kit or refill without a subscription commitment.
Bottom line
If a synthetic 12-month barrier is the priority, Talstar or Bifen still own that specific claim. Between the two plant-based DIY options, it's less "which one works" and more "which buying model you'd rather commit to" — a shipped quarterly kit, or a concentrate you buy and mix on your own schedule.
Related reading
- Natural Alternatives to Raid That Actually Work
- Is There a Non-Toxic Wasp Spray That Works as Fast as Raid?
- We Compared Insect Powder to Bug Spray — Here's Which One Actually Lasts Longer
Featured in this article
Shop Dr. Killigan's Essentials
Six Feet Under Barricade: Concentrate - Refills
Six Feet Under: Indoor & Outdoor Insect Killer & Repellant - Fast-Acting (24 oz)
