The Bureau regularly processes complaints which allege that a company found pests during a free inspection, but later inspection by another company disclosed no evidence of pest infestation. The relatively low cost of an inspection may prove to be a good investment. Before signing a contract, consumers should determine whether the company is listed in the telephone directory and whether it has a street address. Some questionable companies may operate with only a truck, telephone answering service and a mail drop. Consumers may also check to see whether the name of the company is on the truck.
Federal law requires commercial exterminators to be certified.
The agency that controls certification in Texas is the Texas Structural Pest Control Board. Both the company and its technicians must be licensed. A license means the technicians have completed special training and the company has liability insurance. Consumers should be wary of companies which use scare tactics in trying to get your business or use high pressure sales tactics such as offering a deal which is only good if signed immediately. Unscrupulous dealers may try to profit by selling cars that have been damaged by flooding.