If you travel you could be at risk. For unwittingly bringing home stowaway bed bugs, that is. Or maybe you’re noticing some other creepy-crawlers taking over the interior of your home like field mice looking for a cozy place to wait out winter.
Your first reaction most likely is to call in the professionals right away. Your BBB recommends taking a deep breath and taking a few extra minutes to select a reputable business. Obtain at least three estimates and seek answers to the following:
• Is your company licensed? Local regulations vary so check with your BBB or local health agency.
• What are the qualifications of your technicians?
• Will you provide a written inspection report, with an itemization of charges if a pest treatment is recommended?
• Do you guarantee your work? If not, be skeptical. Know in advance what steps you need to take to keep the service agreement in force.
• Do you have references from local customers?
• Do you belong to a professional pest control industry association?
• Do you have insurance? Ask the salesperson to show proof on paper that the company carries general liability insurance, including insurance for property damage. You may also want to ask if it carries workers’ compensation insurance.
Each company should thoroughly inspect your home prior to submitting a proposal for treatment and a cost estimate. Ask the following:
• May I see the pest that you have identified as the source of my problem?
• Why is the insect or pest in my house?
• What damage will the pest cause? May I see any damage that is already under way?
• Do I have an infestation?
• Will your program eliminate this pest? For how long?
• What pesticides will you use and why?
• Are there non-pesticide remedies that will control my pest problem?
• If you treat my home with pesticide, do I have to leave and for how long?
• What toxic side effects should I be aware of? Your safety concerns (allergies, age of household members, pets) should be noted in the contract and reflected in the choice of pesticide that is used.
• Is the price you quoted an estimate or the actual cost of what I will be charged? Get the price and list of services to be provided in writing.
• Will we require subsequent treatments? What are the costs for those?
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LinkedIn. For more consumer information or to check out the BBBlog, visit
wynco.bbb.org or call 970-484-1348 or 800-564-0371.
About the BBB
The Better Business Bureau, founded in 1912, is a champion for ethics and trust in the marketplace. Only businesses that meet the high BBB standards are invited to become BBB Accredited Businesses. Today, 128 BBBs across the United States and Canada rate more than 3 million local and national businesses and charities with scores ranging from A to F. Only a BBB Accredited Business may elect to participate in BBBOnLine, one of the most trusted and recognized Internet seal programs in the world.
The BBB serving northern Colorado and Wyoming is trending toward 1 million instances of service to consumers and businesses in 2009. These services include reliability reports on local companies and charities, access to companies that can be trusted by industry, help with dispute resolution, and trustworthy information on consumer and business topics.
Barbara Read, VP Communications Director, 970-488-2035, bread@wynco.bbb.org