Selecting a Reliable Pest Control Firm for Termite Control

Selecting a pest control service is just as important as selecting other professional services such as a lawyer or doctor. Most pest control firms are reliable and legitimate business organizations respected in their communities. California law requires that all pest control firms be licensed through the Pesticide Regulation Section of the California Department of Agriculture. If you are not familiar with the firm or its reputation, check with the Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau in your locality. Does the company have a good track record? The company should have "General Liability Insurance." Also, "Workmen's Compensation Insurance" is helpful. If the firm offers references of previous work, take time to check them carefully. It is especially important to check reliability of an out-of-town firm.

There is no need to rush into a termite control program even if you suspect or know that your house is infested. Delaying a few weeks or even months makes little difference since termites work slowly and the house will not be ruined or damaged severely in a short period of time.

Pest control firms can identify many pests. When in doubt of infestation, collect several specimens of termites in a watertight vial. Add isopropyl or 70 percent alcohol, and enclose in a crush proof box.

Beware of Firms That:

	Appear at your door uninvited, unannounced or unexpectedly, and show evidence of termite specimens and damage from a neighbor's property as an excuse to inspect your home. Such a person may bring along pieces of wood damaged by termites or termite swarmers in a vial, pretending to find them in your house.
	Claim to have a secret formula or chemical ingredient more potent that any other firm.
	Use scare/alarm tactics and/or pressure to force you to sign a contract on the spot. Some may cater to the elderly or persons living alone. Do not be frightened or unduly alarmed. Do not panic.
	Slander other pest control companies by indicating their products are illegal and would not give control.
	Quote prices over the phone without having performed a thorough inspection of your premises.
	Submit a quotation substantially lower than those of other firms contacted. The cheapest estimate is often not the best deal for the homeowner.
	Claim to "insulate" your premises against termite invasion which could cause your house to collapse and fall down in time.
	Use unlisted telephone numbers and addresses.
	Indicate that excess chemical is left over from another job and a special price can be offered for immediate treatment of your home.
	Claim to be endorsed by a city, state or national pest control associations.
	Fail to address your questions and concerns professionally and to your satisfaction.
	Offer a "discount" or "commission" for leads on other jobs.
	Cannot show proof of licensing by the California Department of Agriculture or liability and property damage insurance.

Property Inspection

Have the company inspect your property. After the inspection, the technician should discuss any problem and submit proposals for treatment. Prices for inspection, treatment estimates and conditions of warranties can vary considerably. It is not unusual to receive bids as much as a $1,000 or more difference in price. Double check if quoted prices seem too high or too low. A proper proposal/work order will include a diagram of the structure indicating the locations of any visible termite damage with utility accesses, porches, wood-to-soil contact, drainage problems, and the treatment recommended for each portion of the house. A thorough inspection will require time to determine types of construction, to enter crawl spaces, inspect basements and attics, and possibly remove sections of paneling or trim (with your permission).

Treatment Procedure

The company should be willing and able to discuss the proposed treatment. A typical one-family home will usually require two technicians several hours to two days to complete a corrective treatment for termites. A shallow trench may be dug along the foundation where soil abuts the house. Termiticide chemical will be applied into the trench and, if required, deeper into the soil by rodding. Cement patios, steps and other pavement abutting the foundation must be drilled to allow treatment of underlying soil. It may be necessary to drill and treat the hollow block foundation walls. Attached garages and homes with slab foundations are usually treated by drilling and injecting chemical through the slab along the inside perimeter of the structure. All treatment holes should be securely plugged. Homes with wells, special foundation drainage systems or in-the-slab heating ducts will require special treatment precautions. A corrective treatment for termites will not eliminate carpenter ant or powderpost beetle infestations.

Contract Terms

Understand the terms of the contract. Ask the pest control specialist to provide a written statement of the work proposed and cost estimate. The specialist should give you time to consider the estimate. It is customary to guarantee termite control work for a specified time. Understand the guarantee offered and if it only vaguely refers to termite control, be suspicious. Determine if a yearly charge will be levied during the guarantee period or whether these charges are included in the initial price. Determine if the firm will notify you when inspections are due. A guarantee is no better than the firm who presents it. Some fraudulent operators may have a showy contract with a guarantee as part of their sales promotion. You will probably be asked to sign a work contract when a firm is engaged. However, understand clearly what obligations are assumed and what benefits are received in return. Ask what is needed to keep the guarantee in force.