Pest control and Termites
 

I have use Superior out of Ocala for 14 years now, I pay 365.00 a year and they come out any time I have a pest problem. They control Ants Roaches, Spider and anything in your house and Subterranean Termites Very good people.

Based on IJUSLYVIT's comments I signed up with Regal this morning for the termite and the household pest control for $364 per year.

Lawn & Bugs -
 

Your post sounds much like our experiences with Once a Year.......some good, some not so good (same fungus problem) and not much communication.
Will be watching for your post RE outcome.

Pest control for both homes and lawns is a big business here in TV. There are some very good companies doing that work as well as a lot of rip-off artists. Before signing a long term contract or paying big bucks up front, check out the company with the Better Business Bureau and both offices of Seniors Vs Crime here in TV - see what kind of record they have. Then get references (well, you are already doing that in this forum, to some extent), talk to several services and get estimates for costs, and then make your decision. Initially try to stay out of long term commitments so you can easily change services if the service is not up to your standards. One other thing, every person and every company in this state that applies pesticides or chemicals of any type to your yard or home has to be licensed by the State of Florida, Department of Agriculture - ask for their license number. You can check it's validity on line at the Dept. of Agriculture web site.

Once a year
 

We have had once a year for 2 years. Our entire lawn is gone!!! Little patches of good here and there. They said it was fungus and they would "out of the goodness of their heart" replace the damaged areas. We were in Maine during the summer and the service we use for watching the house, "Village Watch Dog", informed us what was going on with our lawn. We called "once a Year" repeatedly asking for a supervisor or manager to call us. They never did. When we returned they came while we were out and left a paper saying they would replace the sod. Areas were chalked off. That was over a month ago. We call......office worker says we are on the list....work backed up because of cold weather. Never a return phone call. Called again the other day because we are planning a trip north and want to be here to water after sod is replaced. Won't be here till end of March. My husband is thinking of putting a sign outside since we are on a corner lot that says "Lawn by Once a Year".

"Once a Year" is an enigma. The owner has the business savvy to develop an idea of combining a bunch of much needed services into one package for a very reasonable price. He has provided the customer with the choice of
buying any of the services separately and the price remains reasonable. These are services that most of us in The Villages need and want. I've been a supporter of his business and, in general, am a happy customer. We too have had a problem with our grass dying. We are also told that they will replace the sod. We too were given a date and then had it moved back four weeks. That's not making us happy, but we are reasonable people and know that weather plays a factor. Not a big deal. BUT, I have asked to talk with the owner several times recently and cannot get him to return a call. I've even told the person who answers the phone that I'm a relatively happy customer and would appreciate a call back. After several such requests I've said that I feel that he is being disrespectful to a customer who wishes to continue buying his services. Still nothing. Just for clarification, I buy mowing services, pest indoor and outdoor, termite service, fertilization of lawn, scrubs and palms, weed control, hedge and palm trimming, etc. I guess just about everything except the Sprinkler service. So we aren't talking chump change. What would cause an obviously intelligent man to refuse to talk with any customer? According to the Better Business Bureau, he does not readily respond to their inquiries either. Maybe he's one of those cowardly types who just waits for his problems to go away on their own. I'm beginning to question how he has remained in business for 17 years. Wake up Kenny Smith, people want to use your services. Show them the respect they deserve.

The above quoted post is one of mine from February 21st of 2011. I thought I'd give an update as fair warning to members who may be considering "Once A Year Termite and Pest Control." This is merely my actual experience with this company.

Since I last wrote, as of last Friday I still had not gotten my sod replaced. Every time I called I was told we are three weeks out or you're close to the top of the pile, etc., etc. Keep in mind that my lawn started to die in July of 2010. My neighbors notified me and I notified "Once A Year." By the time I returned to my home in the late Fall, I had no front yard. I was promised that they would replace the sod, initially in three weeks. ... and the saga continues.

On Friday I called and very politely discontinued all services with "Once A Year." At that time I was again told that they had trouble getting sod, yada, yada, yada. On Saturday I contracted with a local landscaping company and my yard was installed three days later. THE BEST IS YET TO COME ...

Today, a vehicle with "Service Smart" pulls up in front of the house and a gentleman comes to the door. It seems that he is contacting former "Once A Year" customers to offer them a better service. He was a nice young man and I said I wish he had been here a couple days earlier as I had already contracted with Massey for Pest Control and their Lawn program. He stated that "Service Smart" also does the hedge trimming and tree service. I asked the price and was told that it would be the same price as what "Once A Year" charged. I told him I was interested and would get back to him in a week or so.

My wife and I were talking and I said I wondered how he knew we had quit "Once A Year." I decided to do a little homework on the computer to get information on "Service Smart." GUESS who owns them! The same person that owns "Once A Year" - Kenneth Smith. He owns "Once A Year," "Service Smart", and a another company with the name of "Service of Champions."

CLICK HERE

THE (almost) PERFECT CON. They keep putting me off on the re-sodding of my yard until I get fed up enough to pay to have it done myself and then he sends a representative of one of his other companies to sell me another contract. Talk about slime. Beware of Kenny Smith. Buyer beware!

Just a slight correction - it is not 'Service of Champions' but rather 'Service Champions of Florida LLC'. According to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, that company was administratively dissolved on 09/24/2010 for failure to file an annual report. Still, the warning is well worth noting.

We have used Once a Year for three years and are pleased. No pests, no lawn problems. They fertilize the palms etc. Sounds like if you use them you need to call them at the first sign of a lawn problem.

We did that. Obviously it didn't help.

Once a Year gone for good
 

We also had Once a Year for a couple of years and it is correct that the lawn replacement guarantee is worthless, the President would not even answer my calls because he knew that they were responsible for not properly treating the sod webworms that destroyed part of our lawn, cost $1200 to get the dead lawn replaced. Massey found the problem and fixed it and now the lawn looks great, you get what you pay for and for paying Once a Year you get nothing.