Does this scenario
sound familiar to you? An infestation of mice has again
reared its ugly head in your facility. Your building is
clean and well managed, but repeated insect and rodent
sightings have upset your tenants.
Although the pest control company you’ve
been using has been attempting to solve the problem for some
time, they’re doing an unacceptable job. What to do?
According to pest control professionals around the country,
this is a no-brainer: You’ve got to choose a new company
that can do the work effectively and efficiently—and you’ve
got to do it fast.
There are several important considerations
about an organization and its employees to keep in mind when
you’re looking for a new pest control company, according to
David Harris-John, corporate vice-president, Smithereen Pest
Solutions, Chicago.
“When a prospective company’s sales rep
and/or technicians calls on you for the first time, look for
a high level of professionalism
in
dress and demeanor in this individual. How this person looks
and acts is a reflection of the company employing him or
her,” he says. “A starched shirt or blouse, pressed slacks
or skirt, and well-polished shoes should be part of that
person’s attire. If the image is sloppy, you may get work
that is sloppy as well.”
According to Ted Snyder, chief entomologist
for Batzner Pest Management, New Berlin, WI, it’s important
to look for a company that is knowledgeable about integrated
pest management (IPM) and provides you with well-organized
information. “IPM,” he explains, “is holistic, and an
environmentally responsible approach. Sanitation, exclusion,
baiting and other non-chemical control measures, are
important aspects of IPM, as are environmentally sensitive
treatments when needed.”
“Is the individual questioning you
thoroughly about your facility and its past pest
experiences,” he asks. “Is that person asking about your
current concerns and expectations
of
pest control services? Are questions being asked about your
current pest control company? Do those questions address
your likes or dislikes about your current service? Is the
sales rep telling you everything about his/her company’s
history, services, and expertise?”
Inspections
To ensure an effective
pest management program, you need a professional, objective
assessment of your building’s pest environment, said Danny
Myers, president Myers Pest and Termite Control, Euless, TX.
“Does the prospective
company offer free inspections? Any reliable company does.
You ought to take advantage of free inspections every four
to six months. Go along and see how long it takes. In
general, a hospital inspection should last about two hours.
A nursing home inspection should take about an hour. A hotel
inspection, depending on its size, should take from one to
three hours.”
Harris-John says the inspectors
talking to you and your facility’s chief engineer should
seek to learn about any current or past problems you
might be having. They should be carefully scrutinizing
the interior and exterior of your building and should
be greatly interested in all areas.
Proposals
Once you’ve allowed your
prospective pest control company to inspect your
facilities, expect them to submit a proposal, says
Harris-John. “It should take them no more than three
days to get back to you with suggestions for treatments
and an idea of the costs. Is their proposal specifically
designed for you or is it simply a form proposal? The
latter is another indication that they may be less than
thorough in conducting their business.”
Reliable companies conduct
extensive training programs for their employees. “They
must keep them abreast of current pest control
technology and changes in the industry,” says Snyder.
Does a prospective company provide
on-site or group seminar training opportunities for your
personnel? “It’s important that you and your employees
know what effective IPM is and how it can be
accomplished,” he says.
A reliable company will have
quality control procedures in place because an internal
policing procedure is necessary to ensure quality
service, according to Jerry Batzner, president of the
company bearing his family name. If their’s is a
professional operation, quality control plays an
important role in their success, Batzner says.
Response Time
“Occasionally, a pest control company
needs to come back to your facility to eliminate pests that
survived the last treatment. Most good companies will
respond to your request to come back within 24 hours. Make
sure that your prospective company is responsive. That’s
another characteristic of a company you want to hire,”
according to Myers.
Are the company’s technicians licensed?
According to Harris-John, there are various categories of
technician licenses in various states. These include General
Unrestricted Use; Insects and Rodents; Birds; Fumigations;
and Termites. Be sure to inquire about this. “Earning that
license means that the technician is well trained,
knowledgeable, and capable of solving your pest problems.”
Your own responsibilities for keeping
your facility pest free are important, too, says Batzner.
“Encourage your janitor or building engineer to respond to
the pest control technician’s requests. Technicians
servicing a facility are going to notice things that need to
be corrected. Make sure these are acknowledged and acted on.
The sounder your facility is the less chance of having
serious pest problems.”
To control pests, Myers suggests
barrier treatments, specifically around grassy and weedy
areas. These help keep occasional invaders, such as ants,
sow bugs, and earwigs away from your facility in warm
weather. These aren’t included in basic services, but you
can negotiate a good price at the beginning of your new
business relationship.
It’s important to be aware of these
factors when you’re selecting a pest control company. Your
investment in time and effort to learn all you can about the
prospective company will help ensure that your facility is
pest free.
❑
Jordan Fox is a
freelance writer from
Milwaukee, WI.
