Pest control- currently using Orkin, can I do it myself?

[Peter Milic]

Hi BP community, my name is Peter Milic, this is actually my first ever activity on the site, even though I've been listening to the podcast for a while now. I'm currently using Orkin pest control, I've had ants in my 3plex last year, called them to help and been using them since. They come once every two months, spray something in each unit and charge $110. I was wondering what do other landlords do, can I do this myself and what should I use? Thank you

[Frank Chin]

For that amount of money, I would continue using them. In fact, if they have an annual service contract, that's even better.

To start with, the most important thing is to mitigate your liability. In the case of residential properties, tenants can complain to the local housing authority about the pest problem, say you did nothing about, and all you can say is "but I was there spraying, laid traps, but these nasty things keep coming in".

Now, if you use a professional pest control company, licensed and insured, you can say, I trust and rely on these people, if something goes wrong, you and the tenants can go after them. And if you have an annual contract, and the pest problem remains, you can call them to return.

Now, I once rented several single guys, total slobs. A roach problem developed. I had a pest control company come in. The problem persisted. But because I had a pest control company, it's not my word against the tenant they were slobs, I have the word of 3rd party experts saying they were slobs. If I sprayed the place, they complain to the housing authorities, I got no proof.

In fact, there's one thing I am careful off, I own small properties where tenants install window ACs sticking out of windows. If one of them fall out, injures or kills someone, there'll be a lawsuit. There are companies that come and professionally install them, and insure you if something happens. Once I have a tenant installing one thru the living room window right over the front entrance. So I told him I'll have it professionally installed. He says, what's wrong, it looks straight. I told him, looks like it might fall out any minute, are you going to insure me? I'll get someone, pay him less than $200.00 it's done right, and he'll insure me if something goes wrong.