Where does a pest control company store its products and how does it track them?

Walk through the storage area. Look at how containers are labelled and sealed, whether incompatible products are kept apart, and whether the space is locked and ventilated. Check for leaks, old stock and anything in an unmarked container. Ask where spill supplies and safety data sheets are kept and whether the crew knows how to use them.

Then follow the paper. Ask how products are logged when they arrive, when they go onto a truck and when they are used on a job. Pick a few treatments from the job files and see whether the product used and the amount can be traced back to stock. A company that tracks this well can usually answer a customer’s question about what was applied.

Finally, ask about disposal and returns. What happens to empty containers and expired products, and who handles it? Ask your lawyer and your insurer what rules apply to storing and moving these products. If the premises are leased, ask the landlord how the storage fits the lease. Consider what cleanup, if any, you would need to budget for. Ask to see the last stock count and how it compared with the records. A small, explained difference is normal; a large or unexplained one is a reason to ask more questions before going further.

Key takeaways

• Inspect labelling, separation, locks and ventilation in the storage area.
• Trace a few past treatments back through the stock records.
• Ask how empty containers and expired products are disposed of.