For the past 19 years, Judy Peele has counted on a small exterminating company to inspect her house in Garner for termites.
Typically, Peele said, she would send a $50 check each June to P&R Termite and Pest Control near Raleigh. The company's owner, James Pate, would usually inspect her house in July, Peele said.
She had no reason to think this summer would be any different. But the phone numbers Peele had for the owner have been disconnected or changed, and she can't reach the company.
"I'm just kind of left wondering," she said.
As it turns out, Pate is no longer working as an exterminator because of health problems, said Ned Dillon, deputy director of the structural pesticide division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which licenses pest-control companies. Pate didn't renew his license this year.
"He's effectively out of business," Dillon said.
Peele said she has had a good business relationship with Pate, and she knew he had health concerns. The last time Peele remembers Pate doing work at her house was the spring of 2008, she said. When she didn't hear from him this summer, she tried calling all three phone numbers she had for Pate, including a cell phone. Two were disconnected, and the cell number has a new user.
"It just seems like someone would have notified the customers," Peele said. "Do I need to get a new exterminator? I just don't know."
Apparently, Peele isn't the only one who has had an issue with P&R. In the past year, the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina has received one complaint against the company. That complaint alleged the company failed to honor a contract, did work without authorization or had an invalid contract, according to a BBB report.
The Better Business Bureau closed the complaint because P&R, which is not accredited by the bureau, didn't respond.
As a result, the company has a D- rating with the BBB.
According to the bureau, the company started in 1983 and has two employees. The numbers listed in the report are not in service, and Pate no longer lives at the address listed on the report. A woman who currently lives at the address said Pate moved to Dunn to be closer to his sister because of his health issues.
Customers like Peele who are in the market for an exterminator should do their homework, said Courtney Smith of the BBB of Eastern North Carolina. She suggests customers get estimates from at least three companies before they hire someone.
It's also a good idea to check the company's BBB rating and the status of its license with the agriculture and consumer services department, Smith said.
Also, customers should read contracts carefully, she said. Some contracts might include information about what will happen if the company closes.
Dillon, of the agriculture department, said former P&R customers can contact his office, which will send an inspector to check for termites for free if they think they have a problem. That service is available for all taxpayers, Dillon said.
"It's just one of those things," Dillon said. "What do you do?"
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Have a problem for the Troubleshooter? Call 919-829-4546 or send us e-mail at trouble shooter@newsobserver.com.
Some businesses must be licensed. Those licenses are public record. Pest-control companies are licensed by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. To find out if a pest-control company has a current license, go to ncagr .gov or call 919-733-6100.
Find out if the company has filed for bankruptcy. The News & Observer publishes bankruptcies that have been filed in the Eastern and Central districts. If you have a contract with a company that is liquidating its assets, you could file a motion in court to try to collect the money you lost.
File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Go to easternnc.bbb.org or call 277-4222.
