Exterminator Bill For Previous Owner & DIY

[qdeezie]

So, I recently closed on a house (if you can't tell by the topics of my most recent posts) and while everything has been good, today I came home to see a bill stuck in the door for an extermination service that was performed on the outside of my house that the previous owner had set up to happen every other month.

So, while this does give me a bit of an insight as to what has went on with the property prior to buying it (the property is only two years old, btw).

My question here is what approach should I take with the exterminator? I didn't request this service, so I'm not totally up for paying what they charged, but I am considering offering them at least what half the bill was, so they won't have a total loss. My approach is that I know it costs money for them to do what they do, so I don't want to be totally inconsiderate.

On the same token, I'm open to having a bi-monthly service (after doing some online reading about pest control), but this was unexpected to say the least.

What are your thoughts on this?

Also, I am aware that the stuff professional exterminators use is stronger than what I can purchase as a consumer, but do any of you take the DIY route with regards to monthly or bi-monthly pest control? If so, I'd like to hear what you are doing.

 

[expat]

What are they exterminating?

 

[qdeezie]

It didn't say. It just had the chemicals and a quantity beside the chemicals. I see Wisdom Lawn Granules and Cy-Kick CS.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

I suppose you could tell the exterminator that the previous owner no longer lives there and he performed a service that wasn't requested by you. You'd be fully within your rights to do so.

However, I would be more inclined to contact them and ask for a 50% discount, and then discuss continuing the service. We have our house/garage/shop treated every 3 months during the summer and it's worth every penny (it runs somewhere around $60/treatment). They also set rodent bait stations and keep them filled.

 

[qdeezie]

The bill I got was for $79.

 

[dishdude]

What was the charge? I am in a similar situation, just closed on a house in February and I've been using the exterminator that did the termite inspection and treatment. $50 per exterior treatment and I am still seeing all kind of spiders around...

I should shop around but I've been a bit lazy about it.

$79!!!

 

[qdeezie]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
$79!!!

My exact thoughts.

 

[azjake]

I live in the Phoenix area and used to have an exterminator spray every other month, but I stopped the service and I've now been using Othro Home Defense that I buy at Home Depot ($13 for a gallon) for 10 months with good results. Outside I spray the perimeter of the home and inside near doorways and under cabinets in bathroom and kitchen. A gallon lasts 3-4 months so it's a significant savings over the $50 every two months I was paying.

Ortho advertises that protection can last for up to 12 months, but to be safe outside I spray about every other month and inside about every 6 months. We have scorpions here with the heat and you don't want them inside the home or near entrances outside.

 

[BigD1]

Originally Posted By: qdeezie
Also, I am aware that the stuff professional exterminators use is stronger than what I can purchase as a consumer, but do any of you take the DIY route with regards to monthly or bi-monthly pest control? If so, I'd like to hear what you are doing.


You can do it your self to your own property, and use the same thing or better than what the pest control company used. I think CyKick is considered to be a generic of Bayer's Tempo. http://pestcontrol.domyownpestcontrol.com/search?w=cykick&view=grid

Talstar One is very popular for outside pest control, and it has a very good price. http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/talstar-talstar-one-p-97.html

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: BigD1
Originally Posted By: qdeezie
Also, I am aware that the stuff professional exterminators use is stronger than what I can purchase as a consumer, but do any of you take the DIY route with regards to monthly or bi-monthly pest control? If so, I'd like to hear what you are doing.


You can do it your self to your own property, and use the same thing or better than what the pest control company used. I think CyKick is considered to be a generic of Bayer's Tempo. http://pestcontrol.domyownpestcontrol.com/search?w=cykick&view=grid

Talstar One is very popular for outside pest control, and it has a very good price. http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/talstar-talstar-one-p-97.html


I love the idea! But....a gallon of the Talstar is $57 and I'm sure I would use the entire jug just doing the perimeter of the house.

 

[BigD1]

You got one big house then. One gallon treats 1,000 square feet.

Yield-

1 pint (16 oz.) concentrate yields 16-32 gallons of finished solution.

1 quart (32 oz.) concentrate yields 32-96 gallons of finished solution.

¾ gallon (96 oz.) concentrate yields 96-192 gallons of finished solution.

1 gallon (128 oz.) concentrate yields 128-256 gallons of finished solution or covers 128,000 to 256,000 square feet for broadcast application.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: BigD1
You got one big house then.

Yield-

1 pint (16 oz.) concentrate yields 16-32 gallons of finished solution.

1 quart (32 oz.) concentrate yields 32-96 gallons of finished solution.

¾ gallon (96 oz.) concentrate yields 96-192 gallons of finished solution.

1 gallon (128 oz.) concentrate yields 128-256 gallons of finished solution or covers 128,000 to 256,000 square feet for broadcast application.


Well I guess I should have read a little more.

Might have to look into this and save a little coin. The knowledge on this forum is incredible!

 

[spasm3]

When i saw the title, exterminator bill, I thought of this!

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: dishdude

I love the idea! But....a gallon of the Talstar is $57 and I'm sure I would use the entire jug just doing the perimeter of the house.

man 4 posts while I was reading

So that guy applied 50cents worth of chemical and charged you 80$? I need to go into that business.

 

[gathermewool]

How do you know the service was setup by the PO for every other month?

 

[qdeezie]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
How do you know the service was setup by the PO for every other month?


It says it on the receipt.

 

[mrsilv04]

I'd make them an offer for what you think it is worth.

Then, if they don't like it, tell them to go find the previous owner who requested their services, wherever he is now.... and they can ask him to pay up.

The previous owner is their customer, and he's the one who forgot to cancel their services... not you.


I had a lawn care company do a full blown treatment on my yard one day while I was at work. They did it all... grubs, weed treatment, fertilizer, and left the bill on my storm door. Problem was, they were at the right house number, but on the wrong street (1 block to the north).

When I inquired with the company, and explained that they were on the wrong street. They told me it was on them... and to throw the bill away.

 

[Donald]

Up north our cars may rust but not too many issues with bugs especially with basements and poured foundations.

You might also consider whether you want to work with nasty chemicals or pay someone else to.

 

[dishdude]

I just checked my receipt from the last service, they used Tengard SFR and Cykick CS. I had no idea this was available to consumers...both are sold on domyownpestcontrol.com!

 

[The_Jeff]

Think of it this way, they probably have a route and do your block every third Wednesday or whatever. Whether or not they knew the property changed hands they figured they'd do a service and leave a bill as a calling card for marketing.

I had a friend who used to be a landscaper and they'd just "show up" in late fall when business was dead to do "fall clean ups" (leaves, sticks, and junk) then claim it was "part of the lawnmowing package". Most customers paid. Shady? Yeah.

You're within your rights to not pay it, but you should call 'em and discuss it. (Who knows, you might need it and not want to tick them off as a deadbeat.) I'm not local to your buggy town so I can't judge if you need it that often.