Avoid No1 Exterminators like the plague

katerichardson

If you're looking for an exterminator in North London, stay well clear of a pest control company called No1 Exterminators, based in Walthamstow. This outfit is not reputable, and like me, you may lose a lot of money. In my case, No1 Exterminators vanished with the £600(!) I paid them to sort out my mouse infestation, without doing the job.

This lot (say they) offer a 2-visit service for pest control, the first to do an audit of your home to see how rodents are getting inside and to lay initial bait, and the second within 10 days to do another round of baiting and to proof vulnerable areas to avoid issues in future. They also say you must pay the whole fee up front during the first visit...

When I tried to arrange the second visit, No.1 Exterminators initially 'got the day wrong' and didn't turn up, and then they just stopped responding to emails, texts and phone calls. Over two months later and they are still nowhere to be seen or heard. Needless to say, I still have a mouse problem, as without the proofing work there are still gaps for mice to get in.

To sum up, don't touch No.1 Exterminators with a barge pole, My advice is to only select pest control companies that are members of an organisation such as BPCA (British Pest Control Association).

DCFC79

Why did you not engage a company a member of the BPCA ?

How did you pay the £600 ?

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Borrow our cat and your mouse infestation will be over very quickly. He only eats Whiskas, which I am sure you can afford?

katerichardson

It was my first time using an exterminator and at the time I wasn't even aware of the existence of BPCA (only discovered after this issue). Paid by online transfer. Having spoken to Citizens Advice, I know that as I was told to pay up front, No.1 Exterminators were supposed to give me a 14-day cooling off period, which they didn't, so Trading Standards plans to pursue them on that aspect.

katerichardson

Re kind offer of cat, we have two cats of our own and yet no luck there :-)

DCFC79

katerichardson wrote: »

It was my first time using an exterminator and at the time I wasn't even aware of the existence of BPCA (only discovered after this issue). Paid by online transfer. Having spoken to Citizens Advice, I know that as I was told to pay up front, No.1 Exterminators were supposed to give me a 14-day cooling off period, which they didn't, so Trading Standards plans to pursue them on that aspect.

Should only use bank transfer as a last resort.