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
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Posted 4 years 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
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Posted 4 years 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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Face
junior member
Joined: Apr '09
Posts: 47offline
Posted 4 years 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: 483offline
Posted 4 years 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
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Posted 4 years 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
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Joined: Apr '09
Posts: 47offline
Posted 4 years 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
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Posted 4 years 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
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Joined: Nov '08
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Posted 4 years 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: 47offline
Posted 4 years 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
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Posted 4 years 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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old timer
Joined: May '07
Posts: 978offline
Posted 4 years 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: 13,693offline
Posted 4 years ago
Mon Apr 20 2009 19:59:55
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Thanks, Winston!
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newbite
Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 20offline
Posted 4 years ago
Tue Apr 21 2009 23:53:29
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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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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Apr 22 2009 0:21:35
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Thanks, bedbugfinders!
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,693offline
Posted 3 years ago
Thu May 21 2009 1:04:17
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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: 8offline
Posted 3 years 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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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,693offline
Posted 3 years ago
Wed Sep 2 2009 12:00:26
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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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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Oct 14 2009 1:51:02
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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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newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 2offline
Posted 3 years ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 12:10:10
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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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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,693offline
Posted 3 years ago
Sat Oct 17 2009 3:30:49
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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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nycbb2010
newbite
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 3offline
Posted 3 years ago
Mon Feb 22 2010 12:16:50
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My building hired a PCO to treat the bb in my apartment I dont think his methods are working I have been bitten after second treatment, he uses a pesticide-toxic, he didnt inspect before he sprayed the first and I haven seen a bb but I got few a few times since then. I am not paying but I am not happy what should I do?
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,693offline
Posted 3 years ago
Mon Feb 22 2010 21:00:04
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nycbb2010,
It is not unusual to need multiple treatments -- they need to keep coming every two weeks or so until all bed bugs are gone. Have neighbors been inspected or treated?
Unfortunately, if you are in a rental situation and the landlord arranges treatment,
However, I would not give up yet. Needing 3 (or maybe even more) treatments is not unusual. I would definitely talk to the landlord about whether neighbors (above/below/all sides) may have bed bugs which are unknown to those tenants or to the landlord. If they do, you may keep having a problem indefinitely until it is dealt with in neighboring units.
If you want to discuss this further, please start a new thread -- more people are likely to see it than if you continue under this thread on checking PCO licenses. Thanks!
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junior member
Joined: Mar '10
Posts: 52offline
Posted 3 years ago
Tue Mar 2 2010 0:44:42
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possiblebugs - 6 months ago »
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?That is a huge problem in our industry. Companies do not dedicate the time and effort to train their techs effectively. Its a really sad state of affairs. My apologies to you
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old timer
Joined: May '07
Posts: 978offline
Posted 3 years ago
Thu Mar 18 2010 10:54:42
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While there are some problems out there as well as misinformation it can also be said that some of the finest bed bug control folks can be found as well.
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