Mildecide and Insecticide

[Richard R.]

Has anyone ever had their customers ask if you could use insecticides and mildewcide in your chemicals and or water tank.
I know there are probably stiff regulations in using this, but has anyone ever heard of this.
If so, could you elaborate on it.
I actually think it is a good idea, especially for the homes that have tons of spider webs, but I don't know all the regulations and different over the counter types of insecticides available for this technique.
I know there is a product called mildex that painters put into their paints. I've seen it at Home Depot.

Thanks

Richard R

 

[john orr]

Richard,

In Virginia, a homeowner can spray their home with virtual impunity...but if you are being paid to do it, you had better have a Pest Control License.

 

[Richard R.]

John,
It's funny you say that. That's almost exactly what I told this customer.
Thanks for your response.
I guess I was right after all.

Richard R

 

[Bill B]

I also wouldn't do it for someone else. Last year I used an X Jet with a bucket of insecticide to get to the upper reaches of some trees to kill catttepillers on my property. Worked well.

 

[charlie]

It is a violation of the law by not following the label on the can of insecticide you are using. As for mixing chemicals I wouldn't advise it. It could hurt you. If you what to remove spiders from the eaves use a broom. Or better yet work with a pest control company around you. You clean the house they do the pest control.


Charlie

 

[Richard R.]

Charlie,
I don't think that a broom is going to take care of this problem.
This lady has a couple of problems. One is the hundreds of grand daddy long legs that cover the dwelling and the other is the many webs that hang down around the house out of the trees.
Some of the homes here in this area have spider webs so bad that they are hanging out of the trees and attach themselves to your hair, face and about every part of you clothing as you walk around the house. In other words, you spend more time trying to get the webs out of your mouth and face than you do washing the house. The sad thing is that you can't see these webs until you run into them.
After washing the house, the webs and long legs seem to return in a few days in more abundance.
I do agree that the home owner probably needs to call an exterminator to take care of the problem before washing the house.

I wasn't trying to make extra money as I'm afraid some thought I was. I was just kind of curious about what people thought of dropping a few tea spoons of some type of "Over the Counter" insecticide in the rinse or soap and if they thought it would help the customer.
I wouldn't have any problem delivering the insecticide this way if it was at my own home, so I was just getting feed back on what others thought about it when their customers ask for it.

I appreciate everyones feed back.

Thank You
Richard R

 

[FROSTY]

DO NOT APPLY AS MUCH AS A TEASPOON OF INCECTICIDE OR PESTICIDE ON ANY CUSTOMERS PROPERTY!
If it is your own house to treat, no problem. They sell that stuff in HD.
If you attempt any sort of pest control/weed control/insect control, you will be in violation of not only most State Ordinances, but Federal ones as well, ie., EPA, DEP. Heavy duty requirements. I looked into pesticide licensing before settling on this business for some supplemental summer income to accentuate my winter Home Heating Oil business.
YOU NEED A SPECIAL PESTICIDE LICENSE, AND FAILURE TO HAVE ONE YOU WILL BE RISKING ARREST, FINES, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, PUTTING YOUR BUSINESS LICENSE ON THE LINE. Also, something to think about, do you think your insurance man would cover any such claim involving problems of such nature. I don't.

 

[Richard R.]

I know what you guys are saying, but aren't we over reacting a little?
I have done yard work for years and have spread different types of fertilizers for people and spread "store bought" insecticides on ant beds and other things like this for my customers. Isn't that about the same thing as long as I'm not buying the insecticide and asking money for the service.
I have been a police officer for 22 years and I just can't imagine putting a lawn man in jail or write him a citation for putting out a little ant or spider killer for a little elderly lady.
This sounds a bit ridiculous.
Is it just me, or did everyone misunderstand my question.
Maybe I worded it wrong.

I wasn't planning on diversifying into the extermination business.

Take Care
Richard R

 

[outlaw]

Richard,
I did just that last year, I was cleaning acustomers eves and soffet just with a broom, mostly just cobwebs, and he asked me if I could go ahead and spray insectaside as I cleaned with some stuff he bought from HD, I explained that i didnt think I could legally offer it as a paid service, but that I would go ahead and do it as a favour, and as it turned out I got a nice little TIP.
Gav

 

[Richard R.]

Thanks Gav,
That's what I was talking about.
I believe there are a few more elements that have to be present before it constitutes an illegal action in Texas, although, I can only guess what other states statues say about it.
The way the law is written in many cases, certain things, like what we're talking about, would be a defense to prosecution.
We are all grown men, hopefully mature enough to know what constitutes most criminal actions.
There is probably no doubt what the exterminators would have to say about this, but it still boils down to one thing. If you don't help the neighbor while your there, he will most likely do it himself before he calls one of those guys anyway.
I totally understand what the other guys are saying, but what you did is nothing more than a favor that would or could be administered by a neighbor kid or John Doe/Jane Doe down the street.
Law Enforcement officer and agents have a lot more things to do besides run around putting people like you and I in jail for helping a little old man or little old woman who asks you to spray the bag or bottle of insecticide they have left over from last year.
From what I can see, all the other guys are correct about the
overall spectrum, but I think I may not have been clear when I asked the question.

Thanks Again everyone.

Take Care
Richard R.

 

[charlie]

Mixing insecides with other chemical can reduce the effectivness of the chemical you are applying. As a Licensed Pest Control Operator for 16 years I seen people try to use store bought chemicals and haven't had very good luck. If you want to do alot of houses team up with a pest control service tell them that you will clean the house before they apply the chemical. The Customer will be very happy with the results. Personally I don't think over reacting is the word I wouldn't of used. More like concerned.


Charlie

 

[Mike Hughes]

I'd do like he said........team up. Wash the house one day before the exterminator comes in. You don't want to wash after he sprays..........It would dillute or wash away the chemicals he sprayed.

I hope you're getting more money for these spider infested houses............no way I wouldnt if I had to walk around with spider webs in my face the whole time.

Good luck.

 

[outlaw]

The problem I see with that is, around here at least, is most people have a service contract with extermination companys and they come out quarterly and thats how they manage to give their guarantee and I dont think most homeowner are up for having their houses washed quarterly, I could be wrong, but I would imagine you would have to drop your prices dramatically, the extermination companys are pretty cheap on a quarterly basis.
Gav

 

[Richard R.]

I probably don't get the request but a few times a season, maybe 5 or 6.
I was just wondering if others got the same request and how they handled it.

Charlie, how hard is it to get a license.
Do you have to go to classes and if so, how long do you have to go?


Thanks guys,

Richard R

 

[charlie]

I don't kno on hard it is to get a license in Texas call the EPA and ask them on how to get a license. Next get pest control insurance.


Charlie

 

[Richard R.]

Charlie,
I take it then your not from Texas.
What state are you from and how hard is it to get license there?

Is the insurance pretty high?

Richard R

 

[charlie]

Richard

I am from Wi. Just had to take a test. Insurance cost for me is $700.00 Million dollar coverage.


charlie

 

[Richard R.]

Thanks Charlie,

I wish it was that easy here. I'm afraid it won't be though.

The coverage is not much different than what I have to pay for the power wash Ins.

Maybe I will look into it after all.

Thanks Again
Richard R