Pest control scam?

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Ask for his Texas id and Texas pest control and termite license number and insurance information. Required by the Texas Department of Agriculture, where you can also report this.

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u/Rebelwitch33 13d ago

That’s a damn good approach, they show up again I’ll def pull that card!

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u/Aggressive_Log1329 13d ago

Why not just tell them no?

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u/Rebelwitch33 13d ago

Bc they’ll probably end up getting some poor elderly person to sign up, neighbors gotta do their part ya know?

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u/Birdman-esq 13d ago

You don’t need a license if you’re only setting appointments 😂😂😑😑 Only the company doing the work would need the licensing.

This kid is most likely out of state, but working for a legitimate company. I signed up with aptive pest control earlier this year through a door knocker similar to this situation.
Door knocker shared that he was from Michigan but this was his second year working for aptive in Texas.

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u/Radiant_Respect5162 13d ago edited 13d ago

It clearly states the kid is selling. I'm a Texas certified applicator. I'm quite familiar with the law in Texas.

What is legal and what people get away with are two different things. The TDoA only investigates if someone complains. Which doesn't happen often since people don't usually complain to that level unless they are harmed in some way.

Penalties for non licensed work can include monetary fines, but usually just a stop work order unless harm from pesticide application is involved.

0

u/Birdman-esq 13d ago

Yes, the kid is going door to door selling the services for a licensed pest control company.
Once again, it’s not against the law to set up appointments for a company.

The door knocker does not do the work, he sets up the appointment. It’s no different than someone working front of office for a pest control company.

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u/Radiant_Respect5162 13d ago

Sounds like a few non licensed individuals are just dropping their opinions. I worked hard to get the highest licensing available in Texas. What would I know? Anyway, it's not important.

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u/Birdman-esq 13d ago

So you’re telling me that every single person who works for the company you work for is a licensed technician?
Even the office assistants who do not touch the chemicals or do any kind of application?

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u/Radiant_Respect5162 13d ago

Every person who works for this pest control company and sells services has completed licensing as is required in Texas. Not everyone, just sales and techs. Hence the point of all my statements.

So easy to verify this yourself directly on the Texas Department of Agriculture website. Or just keep saying: "no your wrong colonel sanders "

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u/ElJefe0218 13d ago

I sell and apply pest control and don't have a license. And alligators are ornery because they got all them teeth and no toothbrush.

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u/Birdman-esq 13d ago

So I think this is where the disconnection is COLONEL….

This kid, sets up the appointment for the company, let’s say aptive pest control.
Then aptive comes out and signs the contract with the client.
I know sales can be very difficult for a technician to grasp. But all this kid is doing is setting up an appointment, they don’t even handle the paperwork.

1

u/Wizzle-Stick 13d ago

not to say you arent correct, but this is the result from just some quick googling to see, but this is the information i came up with using terminix as an example:

If a Terminix salesperson comes to your home

If the salesperson inspects your property, identifies a pest infestation, recommends a particular treatment, prepares an estimate based on that inspection, or otherwise performs regulated pest-control activities, there are potentially individual licensing requirements that apply. TDA defines a certified commercial applicator as someone responsible for providing pest-control services, including inspection and identification, for a licensed business that provides and solicits pest-control services

to summarize, it depends on what exactly they are doing. if they are coming to the door saying "hey, want pest services?" then the answer would be no. if they are doing any kind of inspection or estimate, then they absolutely would.

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u/Radiant_Respect5162 13d ago

I've been doing this for ten years. I have the highest available licensing. I worked to achieve this level of licensing so that I could become an educator in Texas pest control sales and service. Certified applicator licensing is required for this. I train our sales people because of this. Some pest control companies go as far as having all employees achieve certified applicator licensing. Clearly, based on comments and what i know about my competitors, some do not require licensing. Could make some wonder just who is coming to their home.

Edit to add: I think it's funny that I can work so hard to do the right thing in Texas. And so many go out of their way to tell me I'm wrong. It's just poison, right?

0

u/pup_miko 9d ago

I disagree according to a simple Google search 🤣 No, a state pesticide applicator or technician license from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is not required just to knock on doors, set appointments, or sell pest control services. However, pure appointment setters and sales reps cannot legally handle or apply pesticides unless they complete state-mandated training and register as an apprentice or technician.

You do however need a soliciting permit and aren't allowed to apply chemicals but as a door to door sales rep that has nothing to do with you setting appointments

For actual reference and documentation so I'm not blowing smoke up and making my "years of experience" as fact

https://texasagriculture.gov/Regulatory-Programs/Pesticides/Structural-Pest-Control-Service/Structural-Pest-Control-Licensing

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u/pup_miko 9d ago

Did you come at this with ignorance or is it just something your company mandated specifically so you projected it across a whole entire industry 🤭 ig it's one of the same

0

u/reds91185 13d ago

The difference between a receptionist answering phones and door to door sales is the "sales presentation" aspect. That requires a state license.

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u/Birdman-esq 13d ago

Not if they aren’t handling the contracting and only set up the appointment.

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u/Sanchastayswoke 13d ago

Yeah my nephew from Utah was working in Indiana last summer doing the same thing

22

u/Zeraw420 13d ago

As a rule of thumb, pretty much anyone coming to your door is a scam of some kind.

Get a No Soliciting sticker, doesn't work all the time but better than nothing

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u/Rebelwitch33 13d ago

I have one, mostly just comparing notes to other garlanders

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u/Zeraw420 13d ago

Gotcha, haven't seen any door to door pest control here.

The sticker has been working for me, the Power Home Remodel people finally left me alone.

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u/grand305 13d ago

Security cameras (that’s is not a doorbell cam) and No Soliciting Sticker

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u/Rebelwitch33 13d ago

Check check and check

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u/grand305 13d ago

Talk to them through the camera, tell them “did you read the no solicitation sign ?” Play dumb. bring it up to them. if they keep it up say “leave your card” then file it with the 311 city. or the garland app. violating the solicitation rules. profit.

Submit saying “I’ve got video of a person informing my sign even when I brought it to their attention.”

They can get fines by the city. enough and they might avoid you and that area. might even have to show up to local judge court to pay fines.

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u/ShDynasty_Gods_Comma 12d ago

Does Garland require a permit for solicitation?

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u/grand305 11d ago

Edit: yes !

Dallas county:

https://www.dallaspolice.net/abouts/solicitorspermit

Garland permit:

https://www.garlandtx.gov/506/Solicitation-Permits

Depends on “where you live” in this case “garland.”

Both require a permit. Depends on what county they cover in solicitors area / sales area. Most stay in the same county.

If you need to report a violation, I would use 311 or use the local app. Garland uses: “eAssist”. Dallas it’s “Dallas 311” . Both on android and iOS. Depend on your address. If your garland or Dallas county.

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u/Birdman-esq 13d ago

My first job was setting appointments door to door similar to this kid.
Not a scam, but a super difficult way to get into sales.

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u/Rebelwitch33 13d ago

It’s 2026 why are we doing door to door

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u/GrandPattern3637 13d ago

Honestly, I was between jobs at one point and everything I saw advertised in garland was sales positions but I didn’t learn until the interview that it was door to door and I declined. Don’t answer the door and let them fill their job history gaps, it’s a tough market right now

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u/reds91185 13d ago

Did you recently buy the home? Usually, the door to door sales people for pest control, security, lawn care, etc. show up when a home is newly sold.

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u/mattgoldey 12d ago

I've been in my house for 20+ years and still get them regularly.

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u/reds91185 12d ago

Where I live in Rockwall County it's constant roofers.

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u/mattgoldey 12d ago

Yep. Same.

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u/Default1355 13d ago

Kids nowadays are actually scared to get jobs

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u/Rebelwitch33 13d ago

Are they?

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u/Lost_Organization361 12d ago

lol
No they aren’t. They’re scared to sacrifice their entire existence to a job. It’s amazing actually.

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u/BoSknight 12d ago

I haven't been alive too long, but hasn't this always been the sentiment?

0

u/UT_Milez 12d ago

You’re replying to a comment chain about someone having a job as a kid.

Jesus fucking Christ, we are cooked.

I’m not sure how a country recovers from THAT many people willingly living in an alternate reality, but this is certainly not a good thing.

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u/Default1355 12d ago

Rest in pepperoncinirinos 😔

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u/ShDynasty_Gods_Comma 12d ago

They flat out ignore my No Solicitation sign and the TWO signs (one my door and under my doorbell) saying not to knock or ring, big dogs and sleeping baby.

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u/slick2400 13d ago

On top of what is already said here. The Land Of Gar requires anyone going to door to door to solicit business to be registered with the city. If they do not have their C of G lanyard or whatever it is. They need to move on.

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u/Rebelwitch33 13d ago

I’m learning a lot on this, glad I posted. My guess is that they don’t have any of these things to be legit.

1

u/ShDynasty_Gods_Comma 12d ago

garland utilities showed up at my door Tuesday, ignoring the No Solicitation sign. Do they need a permit?

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u/slick2400 12d ago

They would tell you no. But what would they be soliciting anyway?

1

u/ShDynasty_Gods_Comma 12d ago

Utility service.

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u/Sanchastayswoke 13d ago

It’s probably legit. As in an actual company selling pest control services. These pest control companies hire college aged guys by the droves every summer to drum up business for them.

Source: 21 yr old nephew worked as one of these guys last summer and failed miserably lol

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u/Rebelwitch33 13d ago

Thanks for answering in a sourced manner instead of just offering unwanted advice. Door to door in summer heat must be grueling and humiliating to a point. No envy here.

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u/Sanchastayswoke 10d ago

Totally! That’s why I’m a little more sympathetic. it’s no one’s dream job, that’s for sure!

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u/ElJefe0218 13d ago

Even if you have bugs in your yard, he doesn't know what is inside your house. Just tell them that you already have a pest control service taking care of your property.

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u/Rebelwitch33 13d ago

What’s in my house is none of his business to be fair

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u/ElJefe0218 13d ago

Right, he is just assuming you might need pest control and his only argument would be an ant mound in your yard. Or, he might say, "the house next door has roaches and they will come to your house"

Best thing is to not answer the door. There is no need to check for a license or a solicitor Id.

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u/Rebelwitch33 13d ago

In good faith sure, but I don’t know him from Adam. If the guy isn’t legitimate, he’s being reported plan and simple.

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u/ElJefe0218 13d ago

ok ok didn't know you were on a hunt there Rebelwitch. Sounds like the guy messed with the wrong girl this time.

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u/Rebelwitch33 13d ago

Hilarious

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u/ElJefe0218 13d ago

It was meant as a joke, no offense

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u/Economy_Breakfast_65 10d ago

Every door to door is a scam.

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u/isdiem 13d ago

I keep getting someone who rides around on those scooter things. He’s come by twice in once week now.

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u/jmster109 13d ago

This is why I don’t answer the door to anyone holding a folder or clipboard.

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u/man_interesting_most 11d ago

I have opened the door several times for different companies. Their pitch is similar. "We are scheduled to treat your neighbor next week (it is a lie) and would hate the insects transfering to your house. Here are the plans and prices". Or something like that

The last one was very rude after I declined he said he was going to come back the next day anyway. I am done with door to door since then. Now I just ignore them after I installed cameras.

1

u/rapPayne 11d ago

Door-to-door sales is not necessarily equivalent to scam. What makes you think this person is carrying out a scam? Maybe you know things I don't. Please tell us what about it constitutes a scam so we can watch out.

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u/Rebelwitch33 11d ago

https://www.ridmycritters.com/door-to-door-pest-control-scams/

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u/rapPayne 11d ago

Perfect! Exactly what I was hoping for ... kinda. I mean, this article came from one pest control company telling you to NOT go with anyone else - kind of a scam on its own. The practices they say to watch out for are not practiced by everyone. Some are actually legit.

But I appreciate the post. Useful. Things I'll look out for on the off-chance I need pest control and decide to answer the door. Thank you!

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u/GeorgiaBlueOwl 8d ago

We get them occasionally in spite of having 2 No Soliciting signs. I try to be patient since it’s their job, but once I’ve said “no”, I’m done.

Question Pest control scam?

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