11/4/2016 Don't Get Stung by These Pest Control Scams | Angies List

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Here are four of the most common pest control scams

and how to spot them.

Pest control (https://www.angieslist.com/household-pest-control/) is

sometimes a necessity.

Serious bed bug or termite infestations aren't something you should tackle on

your own with retail products because they treat only the symptom (visible

pests) rather than the cause (hive or nest). To remove pests in your

home completely, professional help is often the best choice, but unfortunately

the market is filled with pest control scams.

Here are four of the most popular rip-off schemes and how to spot them.

Related Article

March 3, 2016

By Doug Bonderud,Angie's ListContributor

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(https://www.angieslist.com/articles/bed-bug-infestation-risks-pesticides-and-insecticides.htm)

Bed Bug Infestation: Risks from Pesticides andInsecticides (/articles/bed-bug-infestation-risks-pesticides-and-insecticides.htm)

Getting rid of a bed bug infestation can become costly, but

it doesn't have to pose a risk to your health.

The "licensed" company scam

This one is tough to spot at first glance. You call a company — a reputable

one, at that — and they send out a licensed technician. Every state has its own

laws concerning pest control, but most require companies to certify any

employee who sprays pesticide in a home.

You take a look at the employee's license

(https://www.angieslist.com/articles/angie%E2%80%99s-list-license-

check.htm), agree to the estimate and everything seems legit. When your

appointment time rolls around, a different technician shows up and goes to

work. Since he has a company truck and uniform, you don't worry about it,

until your pests don't disappear.

Here's what you need to know: In some states, companies can have a single,

licensed professional who "trains" other employees on the job. Scam artists

have their single trained employee sit at the shop, available to "consult"

workers in the field, who might not know how to proper handle chemicals.

Always ask to see a license from anyone using pesticides in your home.

The free inspection scam

These scammers show up unannounced and offer a free pest inspection.

What starts out innocently enough turns into a minor emergency when the

pest control "pro" finds evidence of termites, ants or bed bugs. In some cases,

pest control scammers deposit the corpses of a few dead bugs on your floor

while walking around and then "discover" them.

Never hire someone who's just come to your door, and never take their word

for a pest infestation. Always get a second opinion.

The permanent contract scam

This is one of the most insidious pest control scams. It starts out well enough,

with you contacting a pest control pro who provides a solid estimate, shows

up on time and completes the job. But when he's done spraying, he tells you a

single application won't eliminate all of your pests, and you need to sign a

year-long contract to ensure complete eradication. What's more, he tells you if

there's still evidence of bugs at the end of the year, the contract renews

automatically.

While most states have laws against these type of self-renew contracts, it's

easy to feel pressured into signing something long-term, especially if it means

better pest control. The truth is, however, that you should need only a single

pesticide application to control most infestations. If there's a reason a second

round is required, your pest control expert should be able to explain why and

should never pressure you into signing anything.

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Name *

email@youremail.com *

Subject

(https://www.angieslist.com/articles/5-reasons-hire-pest-control-company.htm)

5 Reasons to Hire a Pest Control Company(/articles/5-reasons-hire-pest-control-company.htm)

How much does it cost to hire an exterminator to eliminate

pests?

The bed bug box scam

Bed bugs (https://www.angieslist.com/pest-control/bedbugs.htm)are a hot

topic because they're on the upswing in many major cities. This pest control

scam takes advantage of your fear when you discover you have bed bugs and

want to get rid of them immediately.

The pest pro tells you he's going to "heat kill" the bugs, which comes from a

University of Virginia study showing that bed bugs and their eggs die when

exposed to extreme heat. 140 degrees Fahrenheit or more maintained over

several hours will kill all bed bug nests in your home. A pest control scammer,

however, tells you he can accomplish this by raising your home to this

temperature using portable heaters.

The problem? That he won't be able to keep your entire house this hot for

long enough, and the bugs will simply migrate to cooler areas, such as the

basement. When your contractor leaves, the bugs will come back, and you'll

put in another call for service.

Hiring a pro

If you need to hire a professional pest control expert

(https://www.angieslist.com/pest-control/hiring-an-exterminator.htm), always

ask to see that person's license, check Angie' List

(https://my.angieslist.com/Angieslist/join/pages/newaccount.aspx)for company

reviews and never sign a contract for ongoing work. Real pros stand on their

reputation and service, not high-pressure scare and deception tactics.

Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted on

March 19, 2013.

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