The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) is conducting its annual livestock scale inspection program which began August 6, 2007 and will continue until all requested scales are inspected.  State law requires that all commercial weighing and measuring devices are tested at lease once a year.  Inspectors from the Standards and Consumer Services Division work diligently to fulfill the over 1200 inspection requests throughout New Mexico.

"This program ensures fairness for both the buyer and seller and uniformity in the marketplace," says Joe Gomez, Division Director for Standards and Consumer Services.

Selecting a Pest Control Service

A homeowner can often control household pests through a combination of preventive measures, including proper sanitation and over-the-counter pesticides. However, some pest infestations may be extensive or a particular pest may be difficult to control, requiring the services of a pest control operator (PCO). Selecting a PCO should be like choosing any other service: look at value for the dollar spent. When you are using pesticides, cost should not be the only factor that determines which PCO you use. It is important to ensure that the PCO chosen is competent because both health and property can be damaged through the misuse of pesticides. Before contracting with a PCO, consider the following:

Take Your Time

When most people discover a pest problem, they want the pest eliminated immediately. However, most pest problems can wait a few days so you have time to select a competent, reasonably-priced PCO. It is wise to obtain estimates from at least two PCOs; many will provide free estimates.

Purchase Pest Control Services from a Competent Firm

To help in the selection of a pest control service, ask the following questions:

"How many years have you been in business at your present location?"
Contact such organizations as the Better Business Bureau or the Illinois Attorney General's Office to determine if complaints have been filed against the PCO and determine the status of the complaints.

"Would you provide me with a list of references?"
Contact several references to find out if they are satisfied with the service provided by the PCO.

"Will the person performing the services be a certified technician?"
Each business must employ at least one state-certified technician to use or oversee the use of pesticides.

"Does your company hold a membership in a professional pest control association?"
These organizations promote continuing education and training in the pest control industry.

"Would you provide me with a copy of your pest control license, insurance certificate and copies of labels for all pesticides that will be used?"
Businesses are required to be state-licensed and maintain insurance coverage at all times. Pesticide labels will indicate how the product should be applied and the precautions to be taken.

Beware of Firms or Individuals that . . .

• Want to do pest control as part of a package deal -- such as, general home repair, tree trimming -- or will give you a special price if treatment is done immediately.
• Do not have a listed or working telephone number.
• Arrive unexpectedly and show you insects they have found in your neighbor's house as evidence of a neighborhood pest problem.
• Sell services door-to-door. Illinois law requires that a pest control contract contain a three- day right-to-cancel clause.
• Quote a per gallon price. Termite control jobs can require several hundred gallons of dilute insecticide.
• Claim to have a special "secret" formula. Secret formulas are illegal. All products used for structural pest control must be registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
• Try to panic you into immediately signing a contract by suggesting your house is structurally unsound.
• Target the elderly or infirm people who are living alone.
• Claim to have excess material left from a previous job and offer a reduced price for immediate treatment.
• Claim to be endorsed by the Illinois Department of Public Health or another government agency.

Know the Terms of Service Contracts

Some PCOs offer service contracts in which structures are routinely treated for a particular pest. These contracts may be necessary in some situations, such as a warehouse constantly receiving cartons that may contain cockroaches. In general, routine applications of pesticides are not a good idea unless there is a constant infestation by a pest and nonchemical methods have failed to control the pest. Service contracts for the homeowner should include periodic inspections, but pesticides should not be applied unless the pests are actually present.

It is customary for termite control work to be guaranteed from one to five years. Make sure you know exactly what the guarantee covers and determine if there is a yearly inspection charge. In addition, find out if the PCO is responsible for structural damage if the treatment fails to control the termite infestation. Remember, the guarantee is only as reliable as the company that offers it.

Cooperation with the PCO

If the PCO asks you to do certain things before, during or after the pesticide application, cooperate and follow instructions. If the PCO asks you to remove personal items from the floor or empty kitchen cabinets, make sure you have this done before they arrive. Do not allow children or pets into areas treated with pesticide sprays until the spray has dried. Aquariums should be removed from the treatment site or covered with heavy plastic and air pump turned off. If the PCO suggests nonchemical methods of pest control in addition to the pesticides, be sure to follow the instructions. Good cooperation between the homeowner and the PCO will help eliminate pests and reduce the use of pesticides.

For more information, contact the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health, 525 W. Jefferson Street, Springfield, IL 62761, 217-782-5830, TYY (hearing impaired use only) 800-547-0466.