Pre-move in recs?

Hello Brownstoners!! I’m finally one of you!!! I closed on my house last week and would like to have an exterminator/pest control person come in to prep my space before I move in (hopefully move in will be before Thanksgiving). What I would like is someone to: -do a thorough check for any holes, cracks or gaps -fill/seal said holes, cracks and gaps -bomb, fog, treat the hell out of the place, as deemed necessary Please reply with any recommendations for the right folks to do this for me. Please also give me any tips/horror stories of who NOT to hire, what to make sure happens/doesn’t happen, or anything else you think a first-time homeowner should be aware of in regards to pests. I know many things, but I know I don’t know it all. 🙂 P.S.: I will also then probably hire someone to do post-fogging/bombing cleanup THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

wshlet

in Exterminator 9 years and 8 months ago

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mysso | 9 years and 6 months ago

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Few months ago I was facing big problem because of rats and termites. They completely destroyed my backyard. One of my friend recommend me [Pest Control Rats Roseville](http://californiarodentcontrol.com/). I would say they did remarkable work and now I can live peacefully in my house.

wshlet | 9 years and 8 months ago

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Thanks, xprometheusx. Yes, thank you, redrobin. I won’t do any treatments if I’m advised there are no problems, but I defnitely want as good as possible a check/seal/fill job, especially as winter is fast approaching.

backeast | 9 years and 8 months ago

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I was very happy with Quick Solution Pest Control. I had a major mouse problem in my kitchen and they came and took care of it by sealing up all the holes around the entire house, and placing traps. About a year later, I saw another mouse, that probably came through a hole a contractor had subsequently made. They sealed that up, then sealed up all the gaps in my basement. It was no small job, but, knock on wood, it seems to have worked. They are prompt, kind and professional. BTW, if you are concerned about bedbugs, you may want to get a bedbug-sniffing dog before deciding to go ahead with bombing your house with toxic stuff.

Guest User | 9 years and 8 months ago

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I second Empire Pest Control. He’ll tell you what’s needed — if anything. If he says you don’t need something, believe him and don’t do it. Overkill isn’t necessary as CMU says, but the experts can tell you.

mhquinones | 9 years and 8 months ago

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We originally called them about a week ago because the tenants on the top floors of the building reported sightings of cockroaches. Personally I never saw a live one, only one dead one way before I moved in. But in the interest of keeping the tenants happy and to prevent a possible future problem, we called the exterminators. After the exterminator came, I haven’t heard of any complaints/sightings, and my tenants are quick to notify me of ANYTHING that goes wrong. So for now it seems to be working. I’ll update if anything goes wrong etc., but fingers crossed.

wshlet | 9 years and 8 months ago

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Thank you!! Oooooh!! That sounds like exactly what I would want AND, in the process, I would also probably appease cmu’s concerns of toxicity. 🙂 Acceptance of credit cards is DEFINITELY a big plus!! I will give them a call as well. I take it you were happy with the results, not just their process/professionalism?

mhquinones | 9 years and 8 months ago

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Congratulations on closing! For an exterminator, try Green Earth Pest Control. They were very professional, and seemed to be extremely thorough in going through the building. The tenants who were home at the time were also impressed by them. The price for four floors was also very reasonable and they took credit card (A huge plus with me, as I find it annoying that most people in this city only take check/cash)

wshlet | 9 years and 8 months ago

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cmu – I would be surprised if there isn’t a problem, so I would say there’s a problem AND there’s a bit of first-house overkill. I’ve had the joy of living in a virtually pest-free environment for almost 10 years, save for the occasional mouse in the winter and roaches that appeared when workers disturbed things in the house next door a few years back, so I am hoping to prevent having to deal with any real infestations in a space where I have control over that. If I EVER need the place sprayed/fumed/fogged, wouldn’t pre-moving-in be the best time to do it? I try whenever feasible to go natural/organic, but we’re talking about unwanted vermin…. I would rather bait and bomb, then air out for a few days, and send in a cleaning crew, than deal with the creepy crawlies in my belongings. dibs – Thanks. Most of the floors throughout are in pretty good shape, but I have considered doing something with them before move-in, since I know it’s so much easier without things to move out the way. They are the least of my concerns right now, so I’m leaving them for last after I see what’s left of my budget. Arkady – thanks. I will give them a call. Any other recs from anyone else? Personal experiences?

cmu | 9 years and 8 months ago

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Do you think you have a problem or is this first-house overkill? For heaven’s sake, DO NOT allow any pest people to spray inside the house. Do you know how careless they are and how toxic that stuff is? It’s lasts forever too. It’s utterly unnecessary unless you see rats or something. Cockroaches can be easily trapped using those discreet sticky boxes. Much more important is a thorough professional cleaning (and even professional cleaning fluids are toxic,) which will discourage critters.

daveinbedstuy | 9 years and 8 months ago

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Not generic to your question but get your wood floors refinished before you move in, if they need it.

Arkady | 9 years and 8 months ago

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Empire Pest Control on Court St.