[March Back Talk]

Where Are the Inspections?

I read with interest PCT’s January cover article, Housing Horrors. In March 2006, with the elimination of wood-destroying insect inspections, I had to close my office and let my staff go. With the number of real estate agents and mortgage representatives (500 plus) who relied on my service, I averaged 120 inspections per month. Within months of the so-called change in FHA policy, the calls almost completely stopped. For two years I have worked diligently to stress the importance of wood-destroying insect inspections to these agents. Because carpenter ants and powderpost beetles are prevalent in our area (with an occasional termite issue), a WDI inspection should still be required.

Darrell Seelinger
Owner
Oakland Pest Control
Macomb, Mich.

Editor’s response: PCT checked in with the National Pest Management Association’s Technical Services Vice President Greg Baumann and here’s what he had to say about Seelinger’s comments: The HUD Mortgagee Letter 2005-ML-48 reiterated that inspections should continue to be done where they were customarily done. There was no policy change and inspections should be done as always. Keeping in mind that HUD guarantees less than 5 percent of loans nationwide, the real issue has been Realtors and lenders misreading the policy and using their interpretation as justification to eliminate inspections and thus any snags in the deal. As the January PCT article mentioned, the misinterpretation, the subprime fiasco and a stagnant economy led to a reduction in inspections. Seelinger is right in that HUD still expects inspections; however, as Seelinger found out, enforcement is spotty. If HUD loans should require inspections in your area but have ceased, contact HUD in Washington, D.C.

Leadership Thank You

Just a short note of thanks for the fabulous job by the PCT staff at the PCT/Syngenta Professional Products Crown Leadership awards in October in Orlando. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I can’t say enough nice things about PCT and the job you’ve done. For the past 20 years I’ve had the pleasure of watching PCT emerge into the industry’s finest magazine. Thanks again for a memorable evening.

Dan Suiter
Associate Professor
University of Georgia
Griffin, Ga.

More Bed Bug Research Needed

Bed bugs are the pest right now and for good reason. As have most pest management professionals, I have been hearing, reading and attending a seemingly endless supply of bed bug commentary. I must say there are a few points that seem to be left out and which I would like to highlight.

First, many of us believe (and have suspected since bed bug populations exploded) that the currently available materials in popularly used dosage rates are feeble against bed bugs. Granted we are all stuck with what EPA has approved or will approve. But where is the independent research, or manufacturer’s research, that may indicate what products at what rates are most lethal to bed bugs in a lab? Lab work is a good source of information for us in the field. Perhaps a current product is exceptional at an increased rate for bed bugs. All we have right now are whispers and frustration.

Transportation/importation is something I never hear mentioned regarding the spread of bed bugs. Bed bugs, like cockroaches, need to be transported into a building to infest it. I have read many university studies that eliminate bed bugs in some units but never in other units. The researchers never mention the fact of transportation/importation. I think the transport/import issue needs to be discussed as well as accounted for in treatments. We address this issue in some way with our roach services and need to do so with bed bugs.

Ben Franklin wrote more than two centuries ago about when he traveled he brought with him four cups. He would place these cups, one under each of the bedposts of his bed for the night, and pour in some oil. Ben had found out that if the room was infested with bed bugs then he would sleep unbitten because the bed bugs would be trapped in the oil in the cups. The people who currently are obtaining the best results against bed bugs are being extremely thorough in treating every room in an infested building. I think the preoccupation with “treating” mattresses is wasted energy. We need to treat every crack, crevice, remove all electric covers, treat baseboards, pull up and treat wall-to-wall carpet, wall joints, etc.

David B. Castro
Merlin’s Pest Control
Dover, N.J.

Thank You

Recently, I have been reflecting on the 25-plus-year career that I had being a part of our family business. Almost without exception, those were all great years — years where I was able to start new, and nurture old, relationships with the industry that has served our family business well for almost 75 years. Some of those personal relationships started way back in 1934 and continue from generation to generation. I was blessed to have had the opportunity to come into the business and spend so much quality time with my father, Mark. I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything.

Our business was built on a tradition of reliability and quality that is hard to beat. The pest control industry was founded by small businesses and, for the most part, today is made up primarily of small businesses. What made it so easy for my father, grandfather and me to do well in our business is that we truly enjoy the company of other small business owners and entrepreneurs.
I wanted to say thank you to the entire pest control industry and PCT magazine for allowing the Weisburger family to be part of your business and, in many cases, your personal lives.

Michael Weisburger
Former President
B. & D.A. Weisburger
White Plains, N.Y.