I work in pest control. Obviously, I want people to hire pest control companies.
But I don’t think anyone should be pressured, frightened, or talked into buying a service they don’t actually need.
Unfortunately, there are some practices in this industry that I don’t particularly like.
One of the biggest is high-pressure door-to-door sales.
Someone knocks on your door, tells you they’re already treating several of your neighbors, points out a spider web or a couple of wasps, and suddenly you’re being told your home has a pest problem that needs to be addressed immediately.
Before you know it, there’s a tablet in front of you and you’re signing up for months—or sometimes longer—of recurring service.
Maybe you really do need pest control.
But you should have enough information to make that decision for yourself.
Door-to-Door Sales Deserve Extra Scrutiny
There’s nothing inherently wrong with someone knocking on a door and offering a legitimate service.
But you should never feel like you have to make a decision while they’re standing on your porch.
Be especially cautious when the conversation relies on urgency or fear:
-“We’re treating your neighbor because there’s a serious problem in this area.”
-“If you don’t treat this now, it’s going to get much worse.”
-“I can only give you this price if you sign up today.”
Those are sales techniques.
They aren’t a pest inspection.
A pest professional should be able to explain what the problem is, why it matters, and why a particular treatment is being recommended.
And you should be able to ask questions.
-Ask Who Is Actually Doing the Work
There’s another question homeowners don’t ask often enough: Who is actually going to service my home?
A polished salesperson isn’t necessarily the person who will ever perform your pest control.
Experience matters.
Pest control isn’t simply knowing which product to spray. A good technician needs to understand pest biology, behavior, building construction, pesticide labels, application techniques, exclusion, sanitation, environmental conditions, and sometimes wildlife behavior as well.
More importantly, they need to know when not to treat.
Sometimes the correct recommendation is a pesticide application.
Sometimes it’s exclusion.
Sometimes it’s sanitation or correcting a moisture problem.
And sometimes the answer is simply:
You don’t need pest control.
I’ve told potential customers that before, and I’ll do it again.
I’d rather lose a service I didn’t need to perform than sell someone a solution to a problem they don’t have.
About Those Contracts…
I don’t particularly like long-term residential pest control contracts.
There are certainly circumstances where agreements make sense, particularly in commercial pest management. But for ordinary residential service, I don’t believe someone should continue paying me simply because paperwork says they have to.
Tahoma Specialty Pest Services generally doesn’t require residential customers to sign long-term service contracts unless there’s a particular reason for an agreement or the customer wants one.
My philosophy is pretty simple:
If I’m doing a good job, I’d rather you stay because you want me there.
If you’re unhappy with the service, circumstances change, or you simply decide you don’t need it anymore, I don’t want a contract to be the only reason you’re still my customer.
A Good Pest Professional Should Be Able to Explain the “Why”
This may be the biggest thing I’d recommend looking for.
Ask questions.
-Why are you treating this area?
-Why are you using this method?
-What pest are we actually dealing with?
-How will this solve the problem?
-Is recurring service necessary?
-What happens if we don’t treat it?
A knowledgeable technician shouldn’t be bothered by those questions.
They should enjoy answering them.
I certainly do.
Pest control is a technical profession. Part of doing it well is helping the customer understand what’s happening on their property and why you’re recommending a particular solution.
You don’t need to become an entomologist.
But you deserve to understand what you’re paying for.
Don’t Choose a Company Based on the Best Salesperson
Choose one based on whether you trust the person who’s going to solve the problem.
Look for someone who listens before recommending a treatment. Someone who’s willing to tell you when something isn’t necessary. Someone who can explain what they’re seeing without trying to frighten you.
And don’t be afraid to get another opinion.
A legitimate pest problem will still be there tomorrow.
You shouldn’t have to make a decision because someone standing on your porch says their special price disappears when they leave.
Good pest control should solve problems—not create obligations.
That’s the standard I believe our industry should be held to.
Tahoma Specialty Pest Services
Spokane & the Inland Northwest
📞 509-978-7830
🌐 tahomapest.com
Tahoma Specialty Pest Services 