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 A homeowner can often control household pests through a combination of preventive measures, including proper sanitation and
over-the-counter pesticides. However, some pest infestations may be extensive or a particular pest may be difficult to control,
requiring the services of a pest control operator (PCO). Selecting a PCO should be like choosing any other service:
look at value for the dollar spent. When you are using pesticides, cost should not be the only factor that determines which
PCO you use. It is important to ensure that the PCO chosen is competent because both health and property can be damaged through
the misuse of pesticides. Before contracting with a PCO, consider the following:
Take Your Time
When most people discover a pest problem, they want the pest eliminated immediately. However, most pest problems can wait
a few days so you have time to select a competent, reasonably-priced PCO. It is wise to obtain estimates from at least two
PCOs.
Purchase Pest Control Services from a Competent Firm
To help in the selection of a pest control service, ask the following questions:
"How many years have you been in business at your present location?"
Contact such organizations as the Better
Business Bureau or the Texas Attorney General's Office to determine if complaints have been filed against the PCO and
determine the status of the complaints.
"Would you provide me with a list of references?"
Contact several references to find out if they are satisfied
with the service provided by the PCO.
"Will the person performing the services be a certified technician?"
Each business must employ at least one
state-certified technician to use or oversee the use of pesticides.
"Would you provide me with a copy of your pest control license, insurance certificate and copies of labels for all pesticides
that will be used?"
Businesses are required to be state-licensed and maintain insurance coverage at all times. Pesticide
labels will indicate how the product should be applied and the precautions to be taken.
Beware of Firms or Individuals that . . .
- Want to do pest control as part of a package deal -- such as, general home repair, tree trimming -- or will give you a
special price if treatment is done immediately.
- Do not have a listed or working telephone number.
- Arrive unexpectedly and show you insects they have found in your neighbor's house as evidence of a neighborhood pest problem.
- Quote a termite price over the phone. Termite control jobs can require several hundred gallons of dilute insecticide the
state of Texas requires that all termite jobs be inspected before giving a quote.
- Claim to have a special "secret" formula. Secret formulas are illegal. All products used for structural pest control must
be registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and theTexas Department of Agriculture.
- Try to panic you into immediately signing a contract by suggesting your house is structurally unsound.
- Target the elderly or infirm people who are living alone.
- Claim to have excess material left from a previous job and offer a reduced price for immediate treatment.
- Claim to be endorsed by the Texas Department of Public Health or another government agency.
Know the Terms of Service Contracts
 Some PCOs offer service contracts in which structures are routinely treated for a particular pest. These contracts may be
necessary in some situations, such as a warehouse constantly receiving cartons that may contain cockroaches. In general, routine
applications of pesticides are not a good idea unless there is a constant infestation by a pest and nonchemical methods have
failed to control the pest. Service contracts for the homeowner should include periodic inspections, but pesticides should
not be applied unless the pests are actually present.
It is customary for termite control work to be guaranteed from one to five years. Make sure you know exactly what the guarantee
covers and determine if there is a yearly inspection charge. | 
