Where pest control goes wrong
Pest control complaints cluster around two problems: treatment that does not solve the problem, and contracts that are hard to cancel. Both often trace back to the same source: a company that treated without understanding the infestation and sold an ongoing contract to compensate for the first visit not working.
The 10 pitfalls
Treating without inspecting first
A spray treatment applied without identifying the pest species, the infestation extent, and the entry points is a guess.
No exclusion work
Killing pests inside without sealing how they get in means they come back.
Signing an annual contract before the first treatment works
An annual service contract is appropriate for ongoing prevention after an infestation is resolved, or for termite protection.
Not reading the guarantee terms
Pest control guarantees are often more limited than they sound.
Ignoring life cycle when evaluating treatment effectiveness
Many insects have egg stages that survive initial treatment.
Choosing based on price alone
The cheapest pest control treatment is often the one with the least preparation, the shortest re-entry time, and the most limited guarantee.
Not asking about chemical safety
Pesticides are regulated for a reason.
Treating a structural pest problem as a chemical problem
Carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and subterranean termites are often symptoms of a moisture or structural problem.
Not getting the cancellation policy in writing
Annual pest control contracts can have cancellation fees, advance notice requirements, and automatic renewal clauses.
Assuming one treatment is enough for complex infestations
Bed bugs, cockroaches, and fleas almost always require multiple treatments.
The bottom line
Insist on an inspection before any treatment. Ask what is being done to seal entry points. Read the guarantee and contract terms before signing. And do not evaluate treatment success until you have allowed time for the full pest life cycle to complete.
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