Three Ways That Cutting Pest Control Service to Save Money Could Cost Property Owners and Managers Big Bucks

In this time of recession, property owners and management professionals, like other business people, are looking for ways to cut costs.  One place to cut costs is service contractors.  One of the first services to be leaned on for price concessions or to be cancelled is pest control.  But property executives should think long and hard before making any cuts in this area.  The decision to attempt the realization of cost savings by reducing or eliminating this vital service could be a huge mistake, with serious consequences for your profitability.  I recommend that you change your thinking in such a way that you view pest control as very reasonably priced insurance, against potentially huge losses.  Why do I say this?  Read on and find out.

In most states, counties, cities and towns across the U.S. pest control is the responsibility of the landlord, period, end of discussion; Even if the tenant is responsible for originally bringing the pest onto the premises or creating the conditions conducive to pest infestation.  The tenant is viewed, by many, whether rightly or wrongly, as the innocent, little guy who is dominated by the big, evil, money-hungry landlord.  Property managers should keep in mind that this isn’t going to change any time soon.  A growing number of government agencies are putting tenant-protection regulations in place which mandate scheduled, inspections of properties, by government agents.  Those agents are looking for violations of rental property statutes where the health and safety of tenants are concerned.  In these times of shrinking tax receipts and revenues, they’re sure to be interested in enhancing their agencies’ cash flow by levying any and all fines that they can, within the law.  In some parts of the country an uncontrolled pest infestation can cost hundreds of dollars per violation, per day!  One source recently told me that in some parts of California such fines can cost a landlord in excess of ,000.00 per day, per infested unit.  In one case a management company was threatened with fines of 00.00 per day!

But fines are not the only concern when it comes to pests.  Creatures such as rodents, cockroaches, bats and feral birds carry and transmit dozens of diseases that can infect humans.  If a tenant is infected by exposure to uncontrolled pests a property owner may be sued for large sums of money.  In our ever-increasingly litigious society there are plenty of plaintiff’s attorneys waiting to take cases and go for large settlements or awards, “on behalf of,” any clients who desire generous compensation.

The last leg of this three-legged stool and possibly the one with the biggest impact over time, is reputation, which affects the marketability of rental units.  Once a property, management company or property owner gets a bad reputation because of serious vermin (and other pest) problems, rehabilitation of that image will be difficult, to put it mildly.  The resulting rise in vacancy rates can be devastating to the bottom line.  I personally know of more than one case where entire buildings had to be vacated and treated from top to bottom to eliminate cockroaches and other pests.  Following that, the properties had to be renamed and remarketed to rehabilitate them into profitable ventures.

To summarize:  Cutting costs by cutting pest control services can have a serious and expensive impact, beyond the original investment in these vital services.  It seems to me that the much wiser approach is to continue retaining the services of a pest professional; A decision that will help guard against expensive, future losses.

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I woke up this morning from the loud rain and I went downstairs and saw a big cockroach on the door. I freaked out (being the only one in the house) I tried to take any type of spray and spray it. But it ran away. Like always, I’m terrified of going downstairs now. I have some money and I’d like to call an exterminator, it’s raining outside though. Will they still come? How much will it cost?
I HATE BUGS!

We are first time home buyers trying figure out all the “hidden” costs we aren’t used to. Can you give me an estimate on monthly charges of pest control for a 1500 sq. foot home, on the interior and exterior? Do we need to have it sprayed on the inside and outside?
Thanks!

And are there other services I should get from a pest control service??? Like including other pests, yearly sprayings, etc.
I know there is no way to know for sure how much it will cost and that it depends on a lot of factors, but I just want a general idea. I live in North Carolina, House is 1200 square feet, and lot is wooded, about 1/3 acre.

I’m not wealthy but I have bed bugs and I cannot stand them livng like this. It has made my life hell and I feel like moving house but I cannot afford to. Do you know any ways I could get a pest control company who charges less?

How much does it cost to start a lawn care and landscaping business dealing with: retaining walls, mulch beds, laying out landscape designs, lawn mowing, and constructions of decks and patios. And also what would be the grand total abouts with the insurance and all the equipment i would need? Thanks!

In your experience, how much should standard pest control spraying to keep bugs out of my house (such as cockroaches) cost me. I am specifically interested in bi-monthly treatments.
I am frustrated, I can’t get the info I want from websites–they all want to come out and do an inspection first. I am closing on the home soon, so I can’t well schedule someone to come out to a home I don’t yet own. And I am trying to estimate some costs for my budgetting…please help!

I just bought a home and plan on moving in about a week. When I dropped by the house today I noticed that there a lot of spiders and some ants through out the house. I want to get the house sprayed before I start moving my stuff in, Can someone give me an idea on how much pest control service costs and what company provides good service. Thanks for your reply

Some people believe that the big difference between residential equipment and commercial lawn care equipment is the price. While that may be true, there is also the issue of quality and durability that makes the extra cost of the commercial lawn care equipment justified. Residential equipment is designed for the regular use by one individual using it a few hours a week, or even a month, but commercial equipment is going to be used several hours per day, earning money for the equipment owners and operators.

Stand-up mowers, zero-radius turn mowers and heavy duty trimmers are the most common types of commercial lawn care equipment seen in the large yards of apartment buildings, retailer and near industrial parks. Typically, a company will hire individuals to use this commercial lawn care equipment, and each one will drive a little different, but the result needs to be the same regardless of who is behind the wheel. Additionally, how the equipment is operated will help determine its life.

Safety devices built onto commercial lawn care equipment is there to protect the operator and cannot be removed. Homeowners can, on the other hand, put their health at risk by removing some of these devices, but allowing others to use their equipment can be hazardous if it is in an unsafe condition.

Companies Rely On Equipment For Job Security

Unlike residential users, people using commercial lawn care equipment are counting on the equipment to work as needed in order to keep any lawn care contracts they have established. If the equipment continually has problems and cannot be used, it will not take long before they start losing contracts, as well as their income. It would be unusual for a commercial company to buy used lawn care equipment, as it can sometimes be an issue of buying someone else’s trouble.

Residential users rarely buy commercial lawn care equipment unless they have a huge area of outdoor living space they are trying to maintain. Spending hours on a lawn is one thing, but spending time repairing less expensive residential equipment used on a much larger area, is another.

The added initial investment of buying commercial lawn care equipment can be considered an investment since the durability should reduce the cost of future repairs and maintenance. Regardless of the type of equipment used, there are certain maintenance procedures that must be used to extend the life of the commercial lawn care equipment beyond what the manufacturer’s warranty covers.