By Rod Davis CEO BBB Serving Southeast Florida and the Caribbean
Have you ever come home from a long day at work on one of our hot and humid days and you just want to jump into your pool to relax and there it is – one of nature’s creatures decided to leave a gift in the pool. Every day we read about the explosion of iguanas as they move into our neighborhood, they leave droppings, eat some of our favorite plants and burrow in our yards. In addition to being gross, the droppings of iguanas can carry salmonella.
So what is a homeowner to do? Homeowners may capture the iguanas, but it is against the law to take them elsewhere to release them. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (www.MyFWC.com) encourages removal of green iguanas from private properties by landowners. Since captured iguanas cannot be relocated and released, if you want to legally remove them from your property, the only solution is euthanasia consistent with regulations against animal cruelty. Some legal options include decapitation, blunt force or euthanasia. Homeowners that trap iguanas on their property may be able to obtain euthanasia services from local exotic veterinarians, humane societies or animal control offices.
If you are not capable of safely removing iguanas from your property, or you don’t want to deal with killing the animal, you may want to seek assistance from a professional trapper. You can find trappers to assist you at www.bbb.org/sefl.
While iguanas are more visible than other pests, here in Southeast Florida we have other bugs and critters to alarm any homeowner. Termites love our hot and humid weather and rodents appreciate the easy access to food in our kitchens. Keeping a clean house, limiting cracks and points of entry into the home and keeping pet food in airtight containers can help deter pests, but no system is foolproof and partnering with a good pest management company can help you avoid unwanted guests in your home. Since you will be inviting the company into your home, it is important to find the right fit.
Research
Evaluate the pest control company by reading customer reviews and checking their business profile page on www.bbb.org/sefl. Find a business that is in line with your goals (e.g. uses green or less toxic products, provides sustainable solutions and helps you create a plan to limit future problems). If you have pets or children, ask the business what options exist to make sure products are as safe as possible. What steps will you have to follow when treatments are done before access to the home is safe for pets and children.
Get Multiple Estimates
It’s best to get at least three estimates from three different companies comparing apples to apples. If you don’t want to call each business one by one, try BBB Request-A-Quote (https://seflorida.app.bbb.org/connect) You can directly request a quote from accredited pest control companies in your service area.
Understand the Contract
Before signing on the dotted line, make sure you know exactly what is written in the contract. Be sure to fully understand what sprays will be used, where the spray will be applied, the extent of the infestation, and the work necessary to solve the problem. Also, make sure you understand what the company will do if pests continue to come back after treatment, what the warranty entails, and if they have liability insurance to protect from any damage to your home or furnishings during treatment. Make sure everything promised verbally is written in the contract. Pest control services will add another cost to your budget, but they can help prevent bigger expenses resulting from termite damage and provide peace of mind that your home is more secure from pests and the diseases they carry.
Beware High Pressure Sales Tactics/ Shady Practices
Beware of companies that offer bargains that sound too good to be true, or will tell you they’ll spray your home for free so you can try them out, then make you sign a contract that actually is a one-year agreement. Also, beware of companies who are spraying your neighbor’s house, then immediately come to your house telling you all the bugs they had will make their way into your yard and house and you must spray now.
