Pest Control - am I getting ripped off?

Author

am I getting ripped off?

W.D.

2006-01-21, 12:21 pm

I relocated to Atlanta about 1.5 years ago and the small ranch home I bought
was treated for termites at the time ($800). I was given the option
afterwards for a yearly reinspection ($135) and quarterly 'basic treatment'
for common household pests, which involves spraying the perimiter of the
home and the baseboards inside (at $78 per treatment).

The last 'inspection,' done in July, involved a 1-2 minute visual inspection
of the crawlspace with a flashlight (I had to lend him the flashlight!). I
was with him, and he only ventured into the crawspace about 10 feet, which
meant that some parts of it were inspected from a distance of 20-30 feet.

So, for about $450 annually, I get a guy to look in my crawspace for a
couple minutes once a year and tell me everthing 'looks fine,' and quarterly
basic pest treatments, which I'm not even sure are required year round (in
the winter, for example?).

My 'contract' is really an invoice and only specifies the types of pests
that are covered in the basic treatment (e.g. roaches, ants, silverfish,
mice/rats, etc.). Am I getting what I should be getting for the price?

W.D.

ps - the company I'm using is Active Pest Control

valuepest@gmail.com

2006-01-21, 1:21 pm

> The last 'inspection,' done in July, involved a 1-2 minute visual inspection
> of the crawlspace with a flashlight (I had to lend him the flashlight!). I
> was with him, and he only ventured into the crawspace about 10 feet, which
> meant that some parts of it were inspected from a distance of 20-30 feet.
>
Am I getting what I should be getting for the price?
>
> W.D.
>
> ps - the company I'm using is Active Pest Control

W.D., this is just my opinion, but were it me, I would think I was
getting ripped off. Here's why:

No one can provide a quality inspection of a crawlspace by looking from
the entrance. Termite shelter tubes can be small and difficult to see
from a distance, especially given the conditions in a crawlspace.
Depending on the size of the home, it's not unusual for me to spend
from 20 minutes (small) to 45 minutes (larger) just in the crawlspace
alone. The inspector should visually inspect the wooden structural
members, also "probing" them with a screwdriver or other solid
instrument to check the soundness of the wood.Termites can hollow out
wood and it still looks solid and sound, until your probe goes right
through.

As far as pest control service goes, I sell a quarterly pest service,
and feel that it is a very appropriate service frequency. Chemicals
break down in a short period, especially on the exterior, and to
maintain your barrier for the crawling pests a quarterly service is a
good one. Indoors, however, is different. Baseboard spraying every 90
days is, in my opinion, old fashioned and outdated.

At this point, I would call the company and request a full inspection
of the crawlspace, and you accompany them, Ask them to be sure to bring
their own equipment.

W.D.

2006-01-21, 3:21 pm

This information is useful -- thanks. A couple of followup questions, if you
don't mind:

1. You mention that baseboard spraying every 90 days is outdated. What do
you recommend for the interior (if anything)?
2. You said you spend 20 minutes (for a smaller home like mine) in the
crawlspace alone. What other areas of the home should be included as part of
a quality inspection?

Thanks again.

W.D.

<valuepest@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1137863516.626720.40940@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Am I getting what I should be getting for the price?
>
> W.D., this is just my opinion, but were it me, I would think I was
> getting ripped off. Here's why:
>
> No one can provide a quality inspection of a crawlspace by looking from
> the entrance. Termite shelter tubes can be small and difficult to see
> from a distance, especially given the conditions in a crawlspace.
> Depending on the size of the home, it's not unusual for me to spend
> from 20 minutes (small) to 45 minutes (larger) just in the crawlspace
> alone. The inspector should visually inspect the wooden structural
> members, also "probing" them with a screwdriver or other solid
> instrument to check the soundness of the wood.Termites can hollow out
> wood and it still looks solid and sound, until your probe goes right
> through.
>
> As far as pest control service goes, I sell a quarterly pest service,
> and feel that it is a very appropriate service frequency. Chemicals
> break down in a short period, especially on the exterior, and to
> maintain your barrier for the crawling pests a quarterly service is a
> good one. Indoors, however, is different. Baseboard spraying every 90
> days is, in my opinion, old fashioned and outdated.
>
> At this point, I would call the company and request a full inspection
> of the crawlspace, and you accompany them, Ask them to be sure to bring
> their own equipment.
>

valuepest@gmail.com

2006-01-21, 3:21 pm

On the inside of a home, pests rest, breed and hide in cracks and
crevices. Remove switch plates and outlet covers, and treat wall voids.
Treat all cracks and crevices, and seal off what can reasonably be
sealed. Use sticky traps in strategic locations to trap crawling pests.
The kind of pests you deal with will determine the product to use.

As for inspections, just checking the crawlspace leaves the entire
exterior and interior areas, which may show termite evidence,
unchecked. I go through all interior rooms, checking walls, ceilings,
etc. for pinholes, mud spots, swarmers caught in webs, or shed swarmer
wings. I look for evidence of termites behind the paint on sheetrock
walls. Shine a light across the wall, and you can see nearly every
imperfection in that wall. You can also see termite "tracks" as some
call them. In areas where I suspect problems, I use a moisture meter to
check the moisture level behind the floor, wall or ceiling. I walk the
exterior, looking for areas with "conducive conditions" - things that
make a home attractive to termites. I look for damaged wood, mud
shelter tubes, wood-to-ground contact, etc.

The description of the inspection you received is exactly why termite
inspections are the biggest reason termite companies are sued.

Lar

2006-01-21, 3:21 pm

In article <Z7mdnTSM2NnYyE_eRVn-jw@comcast.com>, "W.D." <wdanis at NO
SPAM dot yahoo dot com> says...

I relocated to Atlanta about 1.5 years ago and the small ranch home I bought

was treated for termites at the time ($800). I was given the option

afterwards for a yearly reinspection ($135) and quarterly 'basic treatment'

for common household pests, which involves spraying the perimiter of the

home and the baseboards inside (at $78 per treatment).

You'll see different prices around the country and even by different
companies in the same areas. I'm in the Dallas area and with 2000 sq ft
crawl I average around $950 with $125-$145 renewal. Qtrly pest control
would probably be around $85 a quarter.

The last 'inspection,' done in July, involved a 1-2 minute visual inspection

of the crawlspace with a flashlight (I had to lend him the flashlight!). I

was with him, and he only ventured into the crawspace about 10 feet, which

meant that some parts of it were inspected from a distance of 20-30 feet.
Doesn't sound like a real thorough inspection.

So, for about $450 annually, I get a guy to look in my crawspace for a

couple minutes once a year and tell me everthing 'looks fine,' and quarterly

basic pest treatments, which I'm not even sure are required year round (in

the winter, for example?).

Technically the price you are paying for the termite inspection is to
keep up a warranty to stop extra cost for termite work if they show up.
I'd expect the company would want a better inspection done since they
are accountable for costs if retreats are needed, especially if they
cover damage. The pest control can be more of peace of mind if you are
in Winter though there are plenty of pests that can be a problem in the
home that can need attention in the coldest months. Mice/Rats/meal
moths/german roaches/ants. Here in Dallas we have not had much cold
weather since November and it has been the busiest January I've had in
18 years. When a cold spell comes through a lot of activity will stop,
but if three weeks later it warms up again, insects will get active
again. Most products seem to start breaking down 2 to 2 1/2 months so
what was put down last week will hopefully help in March.

My 'contract' is really an invoice and only specifies the types of pests

that are covered in the basic treatment (e.g. roaches, ants, silverfish,

mice/rats, etc.). Am I getting what I should be getting for the price?

--
Lar

Oh, if only Noah would of been a bit more wise,
he surely would of swatted those two flies.

to email....get rid of the BUGS

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