primitive can't believe what the pest exterminator just did

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11583643

Oh my.

Maraya1969 (11,045 posts)    Wed Mar 11, 2015, 05:59 PM

I cannot believe what this pest eliminator just did!
 
I had the air conditioner ducts cleaned last week and the guy told me that he thought there were rats in my attic. First I called the people who spray for fleas around my house and he said that they were there also and gave me a quote of $650 to get them out.

So I went on Angie's List and got a coupon for $175 for an inspection and filling up 5 holes, (around plumbing etc. where they are supposed to get in). I was thinking about trapping them humanely by myself.

So that guy shows up today and tells me that there are no rats and I am very happy about that. And then he pulls out an estimate for PREVENTION that totals over $800 and he takes the $175 off so it is down to $625.

I could not believe my eyes. So I started asking him about these "holes" he was going to close up to prevent things from getting into my house.

One was the little smoke stack thingy that is supposed to create the vacuum to make your toilet flush. He said he saw chew marks and they could get in that way. I thought about it and this house was built in 1985 and wouldn't they have gotten in by now if they were going too? So I x'd that out.

Then, because the $175 I paid was supposed to cover filling in 5 holes at ground level I figured out that the cost for those holes would be $35 each because he said the inspection was free. But in his quote to me he was charging $45 for those holes.

Anyway I am ending up paying just the $175 I have already paid when I thought I would need help with actual rats.

I can't believe how people try and rip you off! I've heard about this with AC people but never had the chance with these types. And it upsets me thinking about all the people, who this is a real hardship for, that do not know better and just accept what people tell them.

snappyturtle (14,377 posts)    Wed Mar 11, 2015, 06:09 PM

1. There's a lot of that today...everybody out to get every last buck they can.*
 
Seems like dealing with anything today is a battle. Then these sorted types act like they're doing us a favor! The hubris! Sorry this happened to you.

*which includes, one assumes, primitives in a mad dash to jump aboard the disability gravy train.

Phentex (10,451 posts)    Thu Mar 12, 2015, 09:00 AM

5. Sad but true...
 
I try to get a few estimates and talk to neighbors to see if I can get a feel for what something should actually cost. It can vary widely. And I am all for someone getting paid well to do a good job as I am not looking to cut corners. But sometimes the range in estimates is just mind blowing.

Warpy (81,616 posts)    Wed Mar 11, 2015, 06:13 PM

2. Get an electronic rat trap for your attic space
 
(it's relatively humane, zaps them instantly, they don't have time to get out a squeak) and bait it with peanut butter. Go back in a week to find out if it's been tripped. Empty the rat and call a pest control service back to close up the holes.

You'd be surprised at how little a rat needs to get entry into your house. Mice need even less than that, they can squash themselves practically flat.

packman (2,521 posts)    Wed Mar 11, 2015, 07:34 PM

3. Sad to say -
 
if you got a rat problem, you need to find the cause, the source of that problem. Trash next door, vegetation overgrowth, garbage, etc. Are they after a food source or water source in your house? DO NOT fall for that closing up holes BS. As stated in previous post, that is an almost impossible task. Even if you do find (and you should look for them and close them up yourself) them, the rat will chew another opening to get to where and what it wants. Take away the cause first. Trapping is the way to go. Poisons is another alternative, but has its problems so use caution. 

Hassin Bin Sober (12,352 posts)    Thu Mar 12, 2015, 01:50 AM

4. Poison them, I say. The sooner the better - before they breed.
 
We had them in our building in the basement. The poor owners on the first floor could hear them in their bedroom ceiling.

My neighbor called Orkin. They put the building on a 12 month contract for, iirc, $150 bucks a month.

One week went buy. Two weeks went by. Three weeks went buy. Still have rats. The poor woman in the basement is ready to move in to a hotel.

I call Orkin to have them send out the manager to see wtf is going on. We open all the bait boxes to see if anything has been eaten. Nope. Not a nibble on the big chunks of blue poison. I ask why he doesn't use the blue pellets. He says they don't like them.

He says give it a couple weeks and we'll check back. Then he leaves.

**** that. I go to the local hardware store and grab a couple boxes of poison. We have dogs in the building so I place them under the downstairs units' hot tub decks so there is no chance a dog can get them.

Rest in piece, Rat!

A couple, years later I remodeled the basement bath in that unit. I recognize the box that poor rat is clutching. I know it's gross. But better one or two rats shrivel up than have a colony take up residence: 

after which a photograph of a couple of mummified mice

[GOBUCKS]

I've never heard of hiring someone to catch rats. It's too easy, and even fun, unless you're overrun like Big Mo.

Even at Big Mo's place, swarming with rats, a few weeks with traps and poison and you'd be in control.

Exterminators are for termites, or skunks, or something you can't take care of yourself.

Rats, mice, bugs...haven't these DUmbasses ever heard of Home Depot?

[I_B_Perky]

Oh puhlease!!!!  Can't your lazy ass go down to the hardware store and buy some rat traps?  $10-20 tops.

And you want me to believe I should vote to put people like you in charge of the country?  I hope the rats eat your legs off one nite while you are passed out.

[Bad Dog]

This is why we need more govt. programs to help them with pest control, car repairs, raising their kids etc. etc. 

[Carl]

What a bunch of helpless imbeciles.

[Big Dog]

packman (2,521 posts)    Wed Mar 11, 2015, 07:34 PM

3. Sad to say -
 
if you got a rat problem, you need to find the cause, the source of that problem. Trash next door, vegetation overgrowth, garbage, etc.

The Cook County Chicken Witch's next door neighbor, clearly.

I hear rats love old Suburbans converted to chicken slums.

[GOBUCKS]

One was the little smoke stack thingy that is supposed to create the vacuum to make your toilet flush.

Yeah, this DUmmy is a veteran do-it-yourselfer.