Insect Spray Scam "Yellow Letter" / Reasonable Prices / Is it necessary? (Green Island: sales, new house)

[RGugs87]

I am 1st time homeowner and after moving into my new house, I started recieving these letters written on yelow looseleaf paper stating that this person was trying to reach me because they would be in town doing treatments next week.

I called the numbers and got the insect spray company who claimed they were working with the previous homeowner. I went through with 1 spray with these guys and then I wind up recieving another letter late last week. It winds up being another company using the same sales strategy.

This company admitted that they werent doing business with the previous owner and helped me understand the service a bit more as well as where I went wrong with the other company. I find out that the other company most likely lied about doing business with the previous owners, overcharged by a significant amount and provided unnecessary services (providing an active spray at the end of sept instead of a dormant spray).

Has anyone else run into this scheme before? Also, are these insect services even necessary and if so, what is a reasonable price for a 50x100 lot size?

You live and you learn I guess but if any insight you can all provide would be great.

[suzook]

its a scam. they never worked for the previous owner.

[vlorak]

yes, we got a few last year when we moved in. thankfully i didn't call anyone back until we realized we had ticks in our yard so then i called and allowed two of them go on and on about how they worked with the previous owner and that would be wise for us to continue to do so to keep the yard healthy and bla bla and then i asked when was the last treatment (got something like a month ago) and asked them then how come we still have ticks. one click, and one with lots of excuses as to how they never actually worked with the previous owner but that they have costumers in our neighborhood.
didn't hire any of them
so stay away. get recommendations first from neighbors. see who they use.

[ooom416354]

wow i just got that today! insane. what company was it that contacted you. it was on a yellow piece of paper mailed with no return address.

what a scam!!!!

[RGugs87]

Earthcare was the super scammer and Long Island Tree & Lawn was the other company that called yesterday.

I'll call both tomorrow since they definitely strike me as the types of companies that will just perform work without even asking and send a bill afterwards.

In any case, is it truly necessary to have them do the "dormant" spray that kills the eggs?

[KENNY GUIDO]

Why would they spray for bugs when it is the fall? bugs are dying or hibernating now. no need for spray, not until springtime at least.

[lialleycat]

I don't spray for bugs, I feed the birds through the winter instead. Then I stop feeding gradually in the spring as the bugs start coming out. Never had a huge insect problem. I have neighbors that spray and they always seem to have issues with the bugs. Then again, I like most insects and I leave spider webs alone when I can and do what I can to attract beneficial insects, includng moving the 'ugly and nasty looking' praying mantis from one neighbors yard to mine. I think she's cool and she seems to be staying around.

The problem with spraying is that you make kill the good and the bad insects, and then the birds get sick to they avoid your place. It upsets the balance and creates a situation where the bugs will come back worse. If there's a certain bug you're having an issue with, then deal with that particular issue. I did have an issue with ants a few years ago, but sprinkling DE around my foundation seemed to take care of it at minimal cost. Haven't done anything since and there's no problems.

The only 'bug' worth checking for is termites - but that should have been done when you did your inspections of the house prior to purchase.

[thebobs]

Originally Posted by KENNY GUIDO

Why would they spray for bugs when it is the fall? bugs are dying or hibernating now. no need for spray, not until springtime at least.

You'd be surprised at how many people don't realize this, which means more money for them. I'm willing to bet a lot of these scam artists spray with water and nothing more.

[oceanjunkie]

I agree with Lialleycat! Avoid chemicals when possible and let nature do it's thing. I think another issue is all the synthetic lawn fertilizer that people use also kills off beneficial bugs/birds.

[superfly10]

Got two calls today, one from "Long Island Tree" and the other from "Green Island Tree" both claiming they worked for the previous owner. Here's the best part, when I said "hey, that's what the other guy said" the Green Island guy said, "anybody who tells you that is lying to you, trying to break the ice" and then proceeded to admit that he hadn't "sprayed" for the previous owner... but had "dealt" with them... as in spoke to them about the possibility of spraying." Hysterical. One tipoff, the numbers they called from are usually blocked for caller ID. I bet it's one boiler room selling services for all these companies, working off the same list.