STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — After a weather disaster, pests — including insects, rodents, and snakes — may be more prevalent than usual; they could pose health risks. The Staten Island Board of Realtors (SIBOR) knows that the task of ridding your home of pests can be daunting; sometimes it is in your best interest to hire a professional.

Hiring a Pest Control Professional

If you are thinking about hiring a pest control professional:

  • Be wary of exterminators who show up uninvited and offer a free inspection. They may use scare tactics to pressure you into authorizing immediate and costly treatments.
  • Deal with a qualified and licensed pest management company. Call your state pest control regulatory agency for information about the status of pest management companies. In most states, the regulatory agency is the State Department of Agriculture. You also can check out companies with your state Attorney General, local consumer protection agency, or an internet search engine.
  • Ask friends and neighbors to recommend pest control companies they have used successfully and how satisfied they were with the service. You can do this online through a community bulletin board or neighborhood listserv.
  • Get bids from several companies. Ask about their training, and their approach to controlling pests.
  • Be wary of choosing a company based on price alone. Quality is the most important factor.
  • Before you sign a contract, get details on the extent of the infestation, the proposed work plan, and the number of visits required and anticipated to solve the problem. A reputable company will inspect your property before quoting you a price or beginning any pesticide application. The company also should give you a written inspection report, and a plan for preparing for treatment and preventing further infestation.
  • Find out if the pest control company has liability insurance to cover any damage that occurs to your home or furnishings during treatment.
  • If you get a written “guarantee,” look for what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep it in force and what is required for continuing control, prevention and management.

About The Staten Island Board of REALTORS® (SIBOR)

The Staten Island Board of REALTORS® (SIBOR) is the largest not-for-profit trade association in Staten Island, N.Y.

SIBOR exists to enhance the ability and opportunity of its members to conduct their business successfully and ethically; and to promote the preservation of the public’s right to own, transfer and use real property.

Comprised of over 1,600 members, SIBOR serves real estate agents, brokers and affiliated professionals throughout the borough and surrounding areas.

SIBOR is the provider of the Staten Island Multiple Listing Service Inc. (SIMLS), which works as a clearinghouse through which more than 250 local real estate firms exchange information on properties they have listed for sale. Together, its members participate in over 3,000 real estate transactions every year.

All SIBOR members belong to the New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

SIBOR may be reached at 718-979-0007 and viewed online at http://siborrealtors.com. SIBOR may also be visited on Facebook at “Staten Island Board of Realtors,” on Twitter via @SIBOR, and on YouTube at the Staten Island Board of Realtors and RelevantPR channels.

Media Contact: Barton Horowitz

Relevant Public Relations, LLC

Headquarters: 718‑682‑1509

Mobile: 917‑715‑8761

Email: Bhorowitz@RelevantPR.com