Yesterday we received notification from the Professional Pest Management Alliance an association of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Unfortunately a tragic event occurred in the Philadelphia community. Below, the article provides information behind the story and the importance of doing your due diligence before hiring a professional to come in your home.
Thomas Pest Services is proud to be a local, family owned company in the Albany NY area. As a Quality Pro company, a special designation from the National Pest Management Association, our reputation is very important. Thomas Pest Services hiring process begins with an application, interview process, drug test and background/reference check. Once hired, Thomas Pest Services ensure all employees are licensed, or work towards their license, are continually trained with quality control checks and random drug testing.
Thomas Pest Services strives to be your Albany NY pest control expert with highly trained and qualified team members ready to solve your pest management needs.
“Hiring Professional Contractors”
Consumer Safety Advice
Prepared for the National Pest Management Association By the Professional Pest Management Alliance
January 24, 2013
Background
On Monday, January 21, Melissa Ketunuti, a doctor and researcher at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, was found brutally murdered inside her home in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood of Philadelphia. After a three-day investigation, the Philadelphia Police Department arrested a suspect, Jason Smith, 35, of Levittown, PA. The police and national media are reporting that the suspect met the victim while working as a pest control subcontractor on a rodent call. During a scheduled service call at her home, the two got into an argument that escalated to murder.
We do not know at this time which company contracted the work to him, but there have been reports that he is not licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.
This case has garnered national media attention and may prompt many consumers to question the safety of having contractors, not just PMPs, inside their homes (especially women who may be alone at the time of a service call). If you get calls from customers expressing concern or even the local media, consider using this list to bolster your own advice on how to hire a professional service with safety in mind. Companies are free to adapt this list to reflect their own company policies.
Hiring a Professional Contractor