Deans or Masseys for lawn fertilizing and pest control?

[Velvet]

Massey has been fertilizing my flower beds and grass since the house was built 2007. One short palm tree has died this year and several small bushes of flowers are dead. Empty Nest carefully sets the irrigation to conditions every week. I don’t know what to think. Deans seems to give me different prices for the same (termite) service and now I feel confused.

If you have used these companies, please advise me.

[Bogie Shooter]

I fired Massey and hired KB Lawn four years ago.

[retiredguy123]

I have had Massey for lawn fertilizing, pest control, and termites for 4 years. I think they are a good, reliable company. I would have hired Dean's, but their policy to require a credit card on file for them to charge at will is a deal breaker for me, and they are totally inflexible on that policy. The builder used to hire KB to install the new house sprinkler systems, but they fired them. My one experience with KB to demonstrate my new sprinkler system under warranty was a complete disaster. The guy they sent was about as rude as anyone could be. So, I won't do any business with them.

[Villageswimmer]

We fired Deans for lawncare because they did a horrible job. We kept them for pest control because they did a fabulous job getting rid of ghost ants, which required six trips. YMMV.

[JoMar]

Won't use either of them....there are other good providers, GreenSmith is one, Orkin is another.

[valuemkt]

Below 44 i hired Falcon. Above 44 Landsculpture

[bandsdavis]

Have had Deans for 5+ years. Very happy with thier service and their customer service is excellent and very responsive.

[skyking]

I've used both Dean's and Massey. Neither did a good job. I put down granular fertilizer myself and the lawn looks great.

[BernieJr]

Superior Services
1-800-PestControl
Ask for Mitch
Been in The Villages 25 years!

[big guy]

Massey has been fertilizing my flower beds and grass since the house was built 2007. One short palm tree has died this year and several small bushes of flowers are dead. Empty Nest carefully sets the irrigation to conditions every week. I don’t know what to think. Deans seems to give me different prices for the same (termite) service and now I feel confused.

If you have used these companies, please advise me.

Massey and Dean's are 2 of the best, not always perfect but they try. Massey's always attend extension programs concerning turfgrass. Dean's comes into the urban horticulturalist's office with questions and samples. No others do that.

We use Massey and have for 10 years. They are reasonable people. If I have a problem, I call a supervisor. He or she comes out, takes a look and we discuss a resolution.

[sdeikenberry]

Don't care for Massey. When we first moved here Massey came around and was pushy about getting our business because they serviced the previous owner. I decided to go with Florida Pest and have been happy with them for seven years now. However, we have no grass...stones...so they only care for pests and plants.

[lorilorilori]

Just say NO to Massey. Great salesman. Lousy if you have a problem.

[Annie66]

We use Superior Services of Central Florida for the past 3 years . Very happy with them.

[Lyn Wagner]

We use Bates. Very happy.

[GaryKoca]

I prefer Massey because they spray for termites inside the house, which Deans does not do. I have another company do the grass cutting and bush/tree trimming, and picking weeks, however. Local guy who does a better job.

[Sabella]

I had Massey for 6 years last year I fired them and hired Deans. Last 2 years with Massey bushes died, lawn looked horrible, supervisors came - waste of my time. Deans so far is good, technicians experienced, customer service great. Price wise they are all overpriced. Same as overpriced lawn cutters who you pay for months of not cutting your lawn in winter. Deans Termite coverage is fairly priced you don’t pay outright for it. They add a small amount to upcoming bills. We retire -live on fixed income and the prices we pay for services here to maintain our homes are all overpriced ( especially Comcast). 1-800-pest company gave me an estimate and wanted prepay for the year.

[JimJohnson]

Massey has been fertilizing my flower beds and grass since the house was built 2007. One short palm tree has died this year and several small bushes of flowers are dead. Empty Nest carefully sets the irrigation to conditions every week. I don’t know what to think. Deans seems to give me different prices for the same (termite) service and now I feel confused.

If you have used these companies, please advise me.

We are very happy with superior services. The are a branch of 1-800PEST CONTROL. Have used them for 10 years.

[noslices1]

Whoever you decide on, avoid TruGreen like the plague. Has them for less than a year, and TWICE the person who serviced my lawn drove up and sat in his truck for about five minutes, filled out an invoice, stuck it in my door and then left. NO SERVICE PERFORMED! First time I called their office and they apologized and sent somebody else right away and did the service. Second time I just told them to forget it and they were fired.

[Earlride]

I eliminated Dean's also due to their payment policy. I am currently using Massey with mixed results so far.


I have had Massey for lawn fertilizing, pest control, and termites for 4 years. I think they are a good, reliable company. I would have hired Dean's, but their policy to require a credit card on file for them to charge at will is a deal breaker for me, and they are totally inflexible on that policy. The builder used to hire KB to install the new house sprinkler systems, but they fired them. My one experience with KB to demonstrate my new sprinkler system under warranty was a complete disaster. The guy they sent was about as rude as anyone could be. So, I won't do any business with them.

[Lsepanske@aol.com]

I fired Dean's last month caught on camera saying they sprayed our bushes and billed me for their services.
They did not deny the charges when provided proof and refunded our money. Would not recommend Dean's Services.

[theruizs]

We tried them both for lawn care and they start out ok but the trail off in quality of the work. They just want to do a cookie cutter style lawn care and not really customize it well for your yard. We have kept Massey for annual termite treatments but went to TrueGreen for the rest except lawn care. We use Trish Barnett and her people for lawn & shrubs trimming, they are awesome. Mostly a family operation. I like it because they actually talk to me each time and we work out anything that needs done or doesn’t, etc. each time. Trish Barnett 352-434-1132.

[dougjb]

Massey is one of the worst companies I have ever done business with. They are great at billing. They are less than useless in explaining what they do and when they do it. Moreover, if one has a problem with their lawn maintenance, it seems to result in and "Oh promise me situation". I hired Massey to tend my lawn. When I examined the lawn, I found it to be very weedy and just awful. After numerous complaints, they sent someone out who supervised the lawn improvement. Naturally, these things do not happen overnight. But, when I told them that I would pay them when I saw some results, they got rude and said that the bad lawns the Villages installs takes several years to bring up to par. Unbelieveable that they could not even give me a soft timetable as to when I could start seeing some results. When I contacted Dean's, they would only do business if I kept a credit card on file. Whew! So, I went with another company. Viola! Within three months, the lawn looks much much better.

[Jonel]

Use Deans past 4 years. Very satisfied

[Jima64]

I prefer Massey because they spray for termites inside the house, which Deans does not do. I have another company do the grass cutting and bush/tree trimming, and picking weeks, however. Local guy who does a better job.

i would love to know how they spray inside for termites. In the state of florida it is illegal to spray for termites unless you have active infestation or proof of activity on the nenewals each year.

[Jima64]

Massey and Dean's are 2 of the best, not always perfect but they try. Massey's always attend extension programs concerning turfgrass. Dean's comes into the urban horticulturalist's office with questions and samples. No others do that.

We use Massey and have for 10 years. They are reasonable people. If I have a problem, I call a supervisor. He or she comes out, takes a look and we discuss a resolution.

they are required by the state to have employees attend and get so many credits each year. They do not do it voluntarily but are required by the state agriculture dept.

[dlspiess]

My neighbor did his own lawn and it looked great. He sold and the new owner went with Deans and now the spreading junipers are half dead and the lawn is brown. Not to mention whatever they are using has now stained my siding. The claim it's the water but never had this until they took over. Check the sprinklers and not even close to the stained area. I prefer a smaller company. I feel big companies are taking advantage of us.

[Sunflower33]

I have used them all and finally settled with deans. They do a good job of keeping my lawn in shape. I don’t use anyone for bushes and trees as I fertilize myself. I have falcon for my termite bond tomorrow

[meridian5850]

As far as lawncare, all of these companies are able to green up a lawn well; even I can do that and did last year. But, the good companies are the ones that can treat a problem when it crops up, which I was not always able to do. Fertigator greened up my lawn after we moved into our new home, and then pretty much ignored me when I had problems. Fired them. TruGreen talked me into using them and they greened it up and then ignored me when I had problems, so fired them. Now using Massey because my neighbors used them. They came out and assessed the lawn, and were the first to suggest amending the soil with organic material and the lawn has never looked better since doing that. Got brown patch in an area and they came right out and it was gone pretty quick. Got some dollarweed, called and now gone. So far, so good.

[jebartle]

We use Heron, they recommended every other month. 352-458-9512. We are very pleased with service

[Lsepanske@aol.com]

Fired Dean's Services last month for not spraying my bushes.... caught on camera and billing me for their services. When provided proof they refunded my money.
Do not recommend Dean's Services as my bushes were covered with spiders and
dying as well for not being fertilized. Grass fertilization services questionable.
Very dis-honest and untrustworthy company. This is the biggest scams
with landscape service companies with chemical grass, pest control applied applications to households.

[jswirs]

I've used both Dean's and Massey. Neither did a good job. I put down granular fertilizer myself and the lawn looks great.
I use Scott's weed and feed, 2X /yr., Every 30 days ant treatment...no problems, very little cost.

[RMarkland]

I wonder if this is correct? It seems for it to work the termites have already made it into your home, and through the walls into the interior of the home. Most likely the best way is to have the exterior barrier installed (chemical barrier). This should stop them prior to any damage being done to the interior. Have used Superior on two homes and happy with the service, and prices. Worth checking into. They do the lawns, shrubs, and pest control should you want all three. (I recommend all three)

[Atamasco]

I prefer Massey because they spray for termites inside the house, which Deans does not do. I have another company do the grass cutting and bush/tree trimming, and picking weeks, however. Local guy who does a better job.

Who is the local guy?

[Atamasco]

I use Scott's weed and feed, 2X /yr., Every 30 days ant treatment...no problems, very little cost.

What type of grass?

[karostay]

Flip a coin

[OhioBuckeye]

I've used both Dean's and Massey. Neither did a good job. I put down granular fertilizer myself and the lawn looks great.

BINGO, you hit the nail on the head. I personally swear by SCOTT’S. Most of the yards in TV are pretty small & probably don’t take over an hr. to maintain. If you go to Scottsfertilizer.com & tell them what kind of grass you have & where you live, they’ll set up a plan on how to do your yard. My yard looked like a golf green & got a lots of compliments on it. If you can’t spend a half hr. to one hr. on your lawn, of course the lawn services are going look at your yard & see that it’s not maintained so yes they’re going to stop & tell you that they can make your lawn look new again & Yes they see easy money. If you’re not happy with your lawn service, what are out to try & do it yourself, it can’t look any worse! Of course everybody here making comments is going to tell you to use who they have & they’re the best.

[JoMar]

Massey and Dean's are 2 of the best, not always perfect but they try. Massey's always attend extension programs concerning turfgrass. Dean's comes into the urban horticulturalist's office with questions and samples. No others do that.

We use Massey and have for 10 years. They are reasonable people. If I have a problem, I call a supervisor. He or she comes out, takes a look and we discuss a resolution.

Which is why we fired Deans. The only way to get anything done was to get a supervisor to come out. Unless you call they don't inspect their work and then you need to adjust your schedule to meet with the supervisor then they will reschedule. Too much monitoring, too many revisits.....have been with Greensmiths for the last two years, no longer have those issues.

[retiredguy123]

I wonder if this is correct? It seems for it to work the termites have already made it into your home, and through the walls into the interior of the home. Most likely the best way is to have the exterior barrier installed (chemical barrier). This should stop them prior to any damage being done to the interior. Have used Superior on two homes and happy with the service, and prices. Worth checking into. They do the lawns, shrubs, and pest control should you want all three. (I recommend all three)
You are talking about two different types of termites. The most damaging type are subterranean termites, which is the type that the builder treats the new houses for to prevent infestation. They poison the soil under and around the house foundation, which usually will prevent termites from moving in for about 7 to 10 years, before needing an additional treatment. Spraying in or around the house aboveground will do nothing to kill or prevent subterranean termites. They live in the soil under your house and travel up and down through earth tunnels that they construct. You must poison the soil to kill them.

There is another type of termite that will fly into your house and live in the attic. But, unlike subterranean termites, you are more likely to see these termites before they do substantial damage.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Massey has been fertilizing my flower beds and grass since the house was built 2007. One short palm tree has died this year and several small bushes of flowers are dead. Empty Nest carefully sets the irrigation to conditions every week. I don’t know what to think. Deans seems to give me different prices for the same (termite) service and now I feel confused.

If you have used these companies, please advise me.

Neither, use Falcon Pest Control. Call Mark Lusby at 321-689-8298.

[dmkimmes]

Have been very happy with Falcon.

[Lark7]

We used Deans for five years but then fired them when their service quality diminished. Then, we hired Heron and are very pleased with their quality of service.

[024engine]

I use Heron. I am satisfied.

[harby]

I have Bates for three years...they always reply us immediately whenever we see roaches or pest around our house. The lawn care looks good. :icon_wink:

[cmeinel@verizon.net]

They will let you prepay for the year by check that’s what indid

[prntxpresn]

Use Superior 352-840-5995. They do lawn fertilizer etc., bugs, sprinkler system & YOU CAN TRANSFER termite contract. I've used them over 3 yrs & they have the best reputation/reviews.

[PrivateDutyNurseMaryAnn]

Hi there,

I have lived here all my life. I use Deans for the outside. They do a great job. Comes out once a year for termite protection and has a bond to go with it, so they back their work up. They are less expensive also.
For inside my home, I make an environmentally and pet friendly mix and spray it around my house, cabinets, windows and anywhere I do not want bugs coming into my home. It is safe and repels all sorts of bugs and ants. Half white vinegar and concentrated lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. I use this when I mop my floors also, going up to my baseboards. It works great. Won't hurt the fur babies or two legged grandbabies. Non toxic and safe. When it dries there is also no scent .

[JoMar]

They will let you prepay for the year by check that’s what indid

Suggest you never pre-pay for services for anything. Many have been burned here by doing that. Our service sends an invoice on the first of the month, I pay it (Paypal) on the 28th of the month AFTER the service has been rendered.

[wdst1]

Which company?

[retiredguy123]

Suggest you never pre-pay for services for anything. Many have been burned here by doing that. Our service sends an invoice on the first of the month, I pay it (Paypal) on the 28th of the month AFTER the service has been rendered.
Agree. I pay Massey online after they perform a specific service. They offer a 5 percent discount to pay a year in advance, but I don't think the discount is worth it.

[ithos]

I have had Deans for four years and never have seen an insect anywhere in my house. I chose Deans over Massey since at the time they covered three types of termites versus only two for Massey. I believe that they both have guarantees.

Their Lawn service is okay nothing spectacular. Not very good about weeds in the garden. They are getting better about keeping the sprinkler heads cleared. I hear they will respond quickly to any complaints.

[Shetzy]

Extremely happy with Falcon. Give improvement since I started with them well over a year ago.

[MEbner2805]

What was the problem with Deans?? I see them here doing my property thoroughly and they took extra care of getting the burns on my lawn the tree guy left from his pressure washer, and my hedges are in better condition now with Nomore bugs eating the leaves all up, and their bug spraying was done right! Nobody could screw that stuff up!!! It’s just spraying the lawn and Bushes and edge of the house and they do it fine!!! Never any problem and my lawn was great since I hired them! Cheaper than masseys contract too! I don’t see how anyone complains about this easy work?? 🤷*♀️ It’s simple! All my neighbors use Deans.

But you DO have to water the lawn the night they spray fertilizer as that will kill your grass if you fail to do your part! Can’t blame the company! They leave a sign on the lawn alerting us they sprayed!

[jswirs]

What type of grass?
Good question. I've been here for 8 months and I was told our grass is some type of weed, that looks like grass. It is very thick and cushy when you walk on it. Looks great though!

[Bruce03]

Thank you for that information, Jim. It's good to know that such continued training is required. I had Massey for two years and they did OK, but their billing was incomprehensible ("...applied 32 oz. XYZ …") and when I started having lawn problems I would just be told that they "...applied 19 oz. of ABC...". Their billing was terrific though and would leave an invoice or statement of work (incomprehensible, of course) each time and my weed and chigger problems would continue. Requests for supervisor to come out were unresponsive until I canceled. Wow! Did they ever come alive then! Also, I agree with the other writer about the overpricing for such services.

[cathiehines]

Who do you use for trimming, weeding, etc.?