Most of the 'tactical' AR crap is just that. Keep it simple and clean - and put an optic on it that lets you consistently hit at the ranges you expect to engage targets. More than anything, get out and shoot with it - here we have tactical matches every 2 weeks or so, and that is where you can really learn what works best for you, as well as seeing what others run.
My AR is also a multirole gun - it is set up for carbine competition (and incidentally home defense - though my shotgun is my first choice inside the fence) with a 3x ACOG on top and a 1x RDS on an angled mount off to the right. It's set up in 7.62x39, but can be quickly switched to fire 7.62x39 or 5.45x39 - and also the magwell can be swapped to use AR pattern mags. It's plenty accurate enough for pest control like you describe or for hunting, as well.
So - decide what YOU want to do with it!