Pest Control and Bug Exterminator Blog

As pest control professionals, we already know that the do-it-yourself “bombs” or “foggers” that target bedbugs by filling entire rooms with aerosol insecticide are ineffective. Although these products are indeed cheap, retailing at hardware stores for around $10, you’re likely to get what you pay for. We also know that the liquid solutions and all natural oils are equally ineffective in treating bedbugs. Now the Federal Trade Commission is taking action against some of the companies marketing them.

The Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them.

They have charged the marketing companies RMB Group and Cedarcide, as well as the individuals behind them, with deceptive advertising for claiming that their products can eliminate and prevent future bedbug infestations. The Cedarcide defendants are also charged with making deceiving claims that the federal government endorses and is affiliated with their products.

RMB Group Charges

Rest Easy, marketed by RMB Group, is a liquid solution containing all natural ingredients like peppermint, cinnamon, lemongrass, and clove. It can be bought at retailers like: Walgreens, Big Lots, and Bed Bath & Beyond. The FTC complaint charges that the RMB Group defendants make unsupported claims that Rest Easy kills and repels bedbugs, and that a consumer can create a barrier against them by spraying the product around a bed.

The FTC has fined the makers of Rest Easy almost $265,000, and has banned the company from making claims that its product kills or repels bedbugs, and creates a barrier against them. The FTC has further banned them from making any claims about the performance of their products unless they have been backed by proficient scientific evidence.

Cedarcide Charges

Best Yet, marketed by Cedarcide Industries, is a cedar oil-based liquid that claims it will treat and prevent bedbug infestations. Their product is sold nation-wide, including commercially. A bottle costs around $30, but they also offer a hotel bedbug eradication kit for $3,400.

• The FTC has charged Cedarcide with making the following false claims:
• That Best Yet will prevent bedbug infestations, and that it’s more effective than synthetic pesticides
• That scientific studies confirm Best Yet is effective at stopping and preventing bed bug infestations, and that it is more effective than synthetic pesticides at doing so
• The Environmental Protection Agency has warned consumers to avoid all synthetic pesticides for treating bed bug infestations
• Best Yet was invented for the U.S. Army at the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and that the USDA has acknowledged the product as the number one choice of bio-based pesticides.

What This Means for Pest Control Companies

The actions by the Federal Trade Commission are clearly good news for both the consumer and for pest control operators. During this recent bedbug epidemic, consumers have been looking for the lowest cost solutions to their bedbug infestations. They have been turning to these ineffective products as a solution, instead of calling a local pest control professional to get the job done.

These FTC actions go a long way in educating consumers about ineffective pest control products, but we need to continue educating the consumer as well–Professional exterminators are your most effective option when it comes to effective eliminating bedbugs in your home.

Your thoughts?

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In light of the recent FTC law that will attempt to cure the blog-o-sphere from the potential false and/or misleading reviews, one blogger makes an excellent point:

If you deliver enough value BEFORE asking for the sale, you should be able to sell plenty of stuff forever.

- Frank Kern http://masscontrolsite.com/blog/?p=59

What Frank is getting at is that if you provide a quality service or a quality product then you shouldn’t need to worry about using underhanded or sneaking marketing tactics.  Companies that build on solid foundations will be solid companies.  This applies to pest control just as much as any other industry.  Read J.D. Powers book on Satisfaction.

BUT… I do disagree with Frank a little on the customer testimonials.  I believe that customer testimonials are the blood line of successful marketing.  You do what’s best for the customer and then they talk about it.  Those are the testimonials that sell.  Our pest control marketing efforts ultimately pale in comparison to our referrals.  So again, it is…

Quality Service first – Marketing Second.

If you don’t have a quality service or product then marketing becomes a black hole, sucking your money up almost as fast as it brings it in.

But just to make sure we are compliant with the FTC here is our disclaimer… **Customer testimonials on google are reviews from the customers and happy customers is a typical result of quality service as evident in our company wide survey that reports; 94% of customers would recommend us to a friend or family member.  All other companies listed on this site have not paid us, to date, anything to be listed here.  We offer our praises of other pest control companies freely and of our own accord.  We do accept backlinks from some of these companies and would gladly accept more backlinks from more quality services.

P.S. I, Thomas (not Bulwark Exterminating) feel that this FTC law is going to be very ambiguous and unenforceable.  So those the FTC wishes to take a beating on will be subject to a whipping post that has no bounds.