Pest Management Professional, October 2011
pmp Limitations Expectations Setting realistic expectations for services and over the counter products Dr Gerry Wegner Contributor O ne aspect of good business ethics and communication skills is setting realistic expectations for the products and services pest management professionals PMPs offer customers Too often during the information gathering and buying processes a misunderstanding about how quickly or completely a product or service will achieve control of a pest arises Field associates should explain to customers that most products and services take time to work and even then complete control might not be achieved if there are unresolved structural and environmental issues associated with the residence or commercial building being treated i e leaks and moisture retention large gaps under doors and at utility penetrations overmulching at the foundation trees and shrubs in contact with walls and roofs poor sanitation As buyers of products and services its normal to expect the best of an investment Unfortunately expectations arent always met Disappointment from less than acceptable pest control is even more pronounced when over the counter products are used Often a buyer wont thoroughly read the directions for use As a result the product isnt given a chance to work as designed On the other hand some retail products come with deliberate limitations vague claims and or false advertising The following are examples Ready to use insecticide sprays Despite amusing TV ads picturing cartoon insects running into an invisible barrier and ceremoniously dying within seconds many ready to use sprays that fill the shelves in big box stores offer limited protection to the sites treated by do it yourselfers Most of these products are packaged in showy 88 October 2011 Pest Management Professional mypmp net
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