Creatures Running Everywhere
Dear Waldmans: I own a storage facility and have an insect problem. I think the
little guys know when I am trying to rent a unit because all of a sudden they show up with
their siblings and parents, too. It's embarrassing, especially when I advertise that my
facility is rodent and pest free. I might even be accused of false advertising. It was
really awful one Saturday morning when I was showing a unit, (just about to put on the ol'
hard sale) to a nice lady and suddenly here comes a huge roach. She screamed and left the
unit. Needless to say I didn't rent the space. I have tried sprays and put out the little
pellets that are guaranteed to kill. Right. I still continue to have creatures that have
made my facility their home. I have to get rid of these things. I hate to spend an
enormous amount of money to a pest company. I am sure they could solve my problem, but I
am a little cheap and trying to handle this on my own.
--Cheap With Creeps in Savannah, Ga.
Dear Cheap With Creeps: It's OK to want to save money. We all have that knack to want to make money, but not spend money on certain items. Just because you have bugs, does not mean it's your fault. Just because you are advertising no pests or rodents, does not mean you will never have one. Most bugs occur from tenants moving in and out. It just happens that some pests like their new home and never leave. Our state-licensed exterminator has willingly given us the information below to help us understand the control of pests. We are not experts in the pest-control business and knew we needed an expert to help with this problem. Many states require a licensed individual to purchase or apply the chemicals listed below. The laws regarding the use of chemicals differ in each state, so check with the state of Georgia to determine the laws on the use and application of the chemicals. You might have to spend the money for a licensed company to help you get rid of these pests. It will be money well spent, especially after you have already lost one tenant to these things. There are many types of chemicals on the market and a few are listed below. There are other chemicals that will be listed under the following three classes, but the three we have become familiar with are:
1. Organo Phosphate (OP's)
a. Diazinion
b. Dursban
c. Catalyst
2. Pyrethoids (Synthetic)
a. Demon
b. Commodore
c. Suspend
d. Tempo
3. Carbamates
a. Fican W
b. Seven Dust
c. Baygon
To begin with, our exterminator places a mouse pouch in each unit. In addition, he has informed us that alternating the classes and adding a chemical steirlent about every 45 days will help alter reproduction of the rodents and pests. Our expert tells us that it is possible for the bugs to become immune if the same class of chemical is used. Your exterminator will determine a plan to suit your facility needs. After checking with an expert, he may give you some other ideas on how to control and eliminate these little creatures. We wish you luck and hope you will never have to encounter another lost renter due to one of these pests.
A father-daughter team, Stanley and Jill Waldman are self-storage owners/operators
and attorneys. In addition, Ms. Waldman holds a master's degree in labor and employment law
from Georgetown University. Together they have co-authored a number of books on
self-storage operations, including Getting Started in the Self-Storage Business,
Self-Storage Business Management Forms, The Policy & Procedure Manual for the
Self-Storage Business, Selling Your Self-Storage Business and The South Carolina
Tools Manual for Self-Storage Operators.Comments and questions may be sent to: Ask The Waldmans, P.O. Box 21416, Charleston, SC 29413; or via their Web site: www.askthewaldmans.com. Editor's Note: Views and opinions on legal matters are those of the authors. Professional counsel should be obtained before any determination or positive action is taken. |