[Mrs. Robinson]

There is some misinformation in some of the posts above. First of all, there are very few "experts" who come to your house to sell you on their pest control contract. Call them salespeople if you like, but for the most part, it is simply a job and you hope that they at least got some basic training. Keep your fingers crossed that they know what they are talking about; most of them are simply on commission and can be pushy.

Here I go again, like a broken record . . . . .

Residents DO NOT need a service contract nor does anyone need routine pest control. If you have a problem, treat the problem when you have one. There is no "safe" pest control chemical. The word chemical should be a clue. These chemicals leech into the ground and subsequently ground water. Why can't the residents understand the damage that is being done???

You also do not need routine "termite protection," i.e. spraying/treatment. You heard me! If you are uneasy about it, have a termite inspection every year-and-a-half to two years or so. There are too many varieties of termites. They can't protect you from all of them and don't let these companies tell you they can. They just want your money.

I moved to Florida in 1983, never had termites and only had a flea issue twice since then (from my dogs) and a periodic ant problem. I took care of it myself and saved tons of money over the years and still had/have peach of mind. If you have one roach a month (and you probably don't and won't unless you live in a pigpen), that is not an infestation or even a problem. These are easily handled by the homeowner.

Don't let these pest control companies or even your friends and neighbors put the fear of God in you, telling you you have to spray regularly. You don't!