Ants... and the Exterminator

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Every year since we've moved into our house, ants have come visiting each spring.

I've tried various traps, sprays, poisons, mixtures, etc.

Nothing seems to work. They drive my wife bonkers.

Last year we said if they come back, we'll hire an exterminator.

This year at first sign, we called. Got a quote and said yep do it up.

The quote was $250 +tax.

For $500 we can get on their full year coverage plan with covers ants, termites, spiders, wasps, mice, rats, everything but bed bugs and raccoons plan.

Since ants are our only problem I said just get the ant spray.

My wife made an appointment for last Thursday, and was td to say out of the house for 5 hours. She asked if being pregnant would be an issue. The girl says stay out for 7 hours.

Wednesday rolls around and the guy calls asking where we are. Note the appointment is for Thursday. My wife tells him that and he says ok and is back on Thursday.

Thursday my father in law meets the guy at the house, he sprays, and is done by 10am.

We get back to the house at 8pm as we went out for supper and didn't stop by the house after work. All part of the plan to give the spray as much time as possible.

So today the bill comes. $395 and tax.

We still have the option to upgrade to the year long package.

When my wife called to question the price the girl said "oh you had carpenter ants then".

Does that make a difference as to spraying for ants? I'd have thought it'd be the same spray regardless of black, carpenter or fire ants.

I have no issue paying for services rendered, but I also do not like a bait and switch.

I don't know enough about exterminators to know if this is shady or legit.

The more I think of it, the more I feel like saying "The price was $250, that's what we agreed upon". But I also feel like the girl answering the phone is an idiot and it's a local business that we used. Not like a chain or anything. Local guy.

This is half venting, half wondering AITA

[OptimalTates]

When something is over 50% of the quote and they don't indicate it at all until the bill, you're getting scammed. There's no question about it. Either they lied about the quote or lying about the bill. Name and shame and leave reviews, fight the bill.

[fundmark19]

We just did buzz boss that is 109 a month and they spray for everything. Did 1 treatment and 98% of ants dissapeared and we had a ton of ants. Still the odd carpenter ant making its way into the house so we had them come back and do a second spray (100% satisfaction) we do still get 1 ant in every other day but it has only been a week so far.

There might be something to needing extra for carpenter but if they keep making their way into the house after another week I am just going to ask for another spray.

[fundmark19]

Just to update since the rain ants seem to be coming back again so I am getting another treatment to get rid of these jerks.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Not sure what they (Buzz Boss) used, but it was a blue/teal granular ant food/killer and it worked great.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

Not sure what they (Buzz Boss) used, but it was a blue/teal granular ant food/killer and it worked great.

I didn't notice any colour after any of the treatments so far. Is it pretty noticeable blue? I will take a closer look when they come this time.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

Not sure what they (Buzz Boss) used, but it was a blue/teal granular ant food/killer and it worked great.

Sprayed or spread manually...

After the recent rains I have noticed my front lawn is full of nests.

Would like to find a way to attack them all instead of a nest at a time.

I'm sure there is a network under the sod...like a small network of colonies...

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

I didn't notice any colour after any of the treatments so far. Is it pretty noticeable blue? I will take a closer look when they come this time.

It was. Kitty litter granular sized. Just spread about in the "hot" spots.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Sprayed or spread manually...

After the recent rains I have noticed my front lawn is full of nests.

Would like to find a way to attack them all instead of a nest at a time.

I'm sure there is a network under the sod...like a small network of colonies...

Just tossed about like they were feeding chickens. Focused on the anty areas obviously.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

Just tossed about like they were feeding chickens. Focused on the anty areas obviously.

Good to know. The yard ants have defenitley been dying off but I am still having some breach into my house and I can't figure out where/why even with extra treatments. I put some bait traps to hope they will kill them off.