Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug pest control firms (PCOs), Bed bug k9s, etc.
Warning: if you hire a PCO on the forums, check their license
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,736
Posted 7 months ago
Fri Apr 10 2009 14:42:33
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There are many knowledgeable and skilled bed bug pros and some of them happen to participate here, and we are very grateful. Although it is against the forum rules to advertise, we know that sometimes you might approach one of these folks, in a private message, and ask about treatment.
Before you think about hiring someone from the Bedbugger Forums to do your pest control, I would strongly suggest you do the following:
Ask their real names,
Ask whether they are licensed pesticide applicators/pesticide technnicians, and get their license number.
Ask what business they work for (or run). It should also be licensed.Laws about who can apply pesticides for hire, to your home, may vary from state to state.
Since a lot of you are in NY state (as am I),
You can click here to see a PDF listing all businesses licensed to apply pesticides. The person you hire should represent a licensed business. You can search, for example, for "Bug Off," "AAA Superior," "Standard," "Boot a pest," and see the name and address of the proprietor.
There is more here about NY state licensing of such businesses. And you can read more here about NY state laws regarding pesticide application.You should click here to see a PDF listing all licensed pesticide applicators and technicians. The person who does your pesticide application should be on this list.
Again, this is for NY-- laws about who can apply pesticides for hire may vary from state to state.
I hope that bed bug pros who operate in other states, provinces, and countries might give us the low-down on where to check such information in their jurisdictions.
I also want to stress that just because someone is licensed, does not mean they are really experienced with bed bugs. Mere presence on the list of licensed applicators or businesses does not mean you've made the best choice.
Also remember that both the business and the pesticide applicator/tech should be licensed in NY state. These are two different things.
I do think it is a very bad idea to hire someone without a current license to treat your home, no matter how knowledgeable they may appear to you.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,736
Posted 7 months ago
Fri Apr 10 2009 15:06:15
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And perhaps I should clarify the reason for this warning -- I am writing this at this time because someone has suggested to me that a PCO who is receiving clients from this website may not be licensed in NY state.
Since I do not know this person's name and cannot verify the information, I cannot post it.
Many of us here are anonymous.
But if someone here is trying to drum up business for themselves, the kind of business requiring a valid state license, and involving them coming to your home and spraying toxic chemicals, make sure you know who they are before you go beyond private messages.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,736
Posted 7 months ago
Fri Apr 10 2009 17:52:01
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.
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Face
junior member
Joined: Apr '09
Posts: 47
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Apr 13 2009 0:32:58
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Nobugs,
You should make this a sticky, it is very useful information. Why pay someone all that money, who is not licensed? For that you can apply the pesticides on your own
< ^ > (•¿•) < ^ >
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Itchy-Scratchy
senior member
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 547
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Apr 13 2009 8:31:38
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Just posting a reply to bump this message back to the top.
Just the thought that a non-licensed PCO would take advantage of a BB sufferer, who is already in a stressful situation and therefore vulnerable, make me very angry!
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,736
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Apr 13 2009 12:00:33
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Thanks, Face. I will be making it a sticky. But when something is new, I tend to let it stay in the main listing of topics for a few days. Why? Because some people never look at the stickies, sadly...
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Face
junior member
Joined: Apr '09
Posts: 47
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Apr 13 2009 16:22:28
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I love stickies!!!!! It is a world of information that is always at the top!!!!
< ^ > (•¿•) < ^ >
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,736
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Apr 13 2009 18:10:18
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Yes, I hear you, Face.
Unfortunately, a lot of readers ignore them. It's a good place to start and the post will be kept there more permanently.
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BettyV4
junior member
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 47
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Apr 13 2009 19:22:41
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Also inquire as to how many actual jobs the PCO has done and can you get referrals from those he treated
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Face
junior member
Joined: Apr '09
Posts: 47
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Apr 13 2009 19:32:29
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Betty,
The only problem i see with that is, a lot of folks do not want complete strangers calling them asking about their battle with bed bugs. A forum is different then speaking to a stranger over the phone. Also the amount of jobs a PCO does is irrelevant. The quantity of jobs does not have to do with have efficient and reliable his work is. I would say the Better Business Bureau should be a great starting point!
< ^ > (•¿•) < ^ >
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,736
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Apr 13 2009 19:52:41
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Betty,
Face is right that the number of jobs does not mean someone is or is not good at getting rid of bed bugs. Experience with killing bed bugs is, but some people have taken on a lot of jobs and apparently not learned much.
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senior member
Joined: May '07
Posts: 426
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Apr 20 2009 19:05:44
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An added advantage is that if the company is currently registered it means the are insured as well, as this is a requirement for business registration. Better Business Bureaus are often membership organizations.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,736
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Apr 20 2009 19:59:55
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Thanks, Winston!
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In the State of Florida, You can go to "safepesticideuse.com" and click on Licensed Pesticide Applicator Search and you can type in the name of the person in question to see if that person is licensed. Hope this Helps...
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Thanks, bedbugfinders!
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Note: the individual who was identified as possibly not being licensed or not having a licensed business is currently banned. Please note that the advice stands: your pest control provider should be licensed as both an applicator AND they should represent a licensed business.
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possiblebugs
newbite
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 8
Posted 2 months ago
Wed Sep 2 2009 1:57:34
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I have a quick question. My building is using a PCO who is a licensed business, and the owner is a licensed applicator, found on the links above. However, the tech who is coming is not on the applicator list, and I am extremely unhappy with him.
How does this work? I see that if they are under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator tech's don't need to be licensed. Should I be worried about this?
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Possiblebugs,
Theoretically, the "direct supervision" aspect means someone licensed should be directly superivising this work. I think this situation is quite common.
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Hello all, as a new member to this site, and as a Pest control operator in NJ, I am amazed all of the activity and comments on this site. What a great online community and resource this site is. We have been reading your comments and concerns as we are always trying to do our job better and with sensitivity to those effected.
[Admin's note: [i]Rest of post deleted. See below and duplicate post here.]
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HI Victory Pest,
You posted an identical post on the blog comments, so I have deleted your post here.
Please do not post the same material twice.
Other than that, feel free to start a new thread, or add to an existing one.
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Oh okay, I am brand new here, and I wasnt sure if I posted correctly. Thanks for the headsup...
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No worries!
On the main page, under "Latest Discussions" you can click "Topics: Add new" to start a new thread on any topic, any time.
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