Talking to my neighbor that just bought a Stihl backpack fogger/mister for personal mosquito control use, the price per application is so cheap it seems that it would be a solid side income if you could pick up 20 yards or so in the summer.

Concentration doses of pesticides plus fuel is like $1-$2to treat his 1/2ac yard depending on flow rate.

Just wondering if anyone here is in the business or the pest control business in general.

I have no background, just daydreaming at the moment.

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Posted by Chuker

St George, Louisiana

Member since Nov 2015

7544 posts

Posted on 9/26/16 at 6:23 pm to Polar Pop

I have enough cancer causing things in my life. Don't need another just for some side money.

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Posted by hungryone

river parishes

Member since Sep 2010

11987 posts

Posted on 9/26/16 at 8:55 pm to Polar Pop

You must have a pesticide applicators license if you plan to,do,this commercially.
LINK

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Posted by Venelar

The AP

Member since Oct 2010

1134 posts

Posted on 9/27/16 at 6:27 am to Polar Pop

I am. Hungryone is correct. You'd need to have a license, which is a lot more involved than a technician certification (applicator).

Bad idea for side money basically

This post was edited on 9/27/16 at 6:38 am

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Posted by Polar Pop

Member since Feb 2012

10748 posts

Posted on 9/27/16 at 7:44 am to Venelar

Thats a lot of studying and fee money for a small return.

Thanks for the insight, on to the next one

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Posted by Venelar

The AP

Member since Oct 2010

1134 posts

Posted on 9/27/16 at 8:18 am to Polar Pop

iirc you were talking lawn business a while back. That's still best bang for the buck cash/side money.

Hell, I own a pest/termite business and I still cut a few yards for the cash in my pocket. A few years ago I had like 8-10 yards, now with the second kid I just do 3-4 in my subdivision so I don't have to hookup to the trailer etc..

Grass is stupid easy and people are lazy, they'll pay all day for it.

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Posted by Polar Pop

Member since Feb 2012

10748 posts

Posted on 9/27/16 at 8:23 am to Venelar

Yep that was me. I will just focus on working toward the lawn service.

If these medical bills would ever quit flowing in I could go ahead and gear up, that is my only setback at the moment.

I live in a neighborhood of a few hundred houses. On any weekday, I could sit outside and see 20+ lawn trailers come in and out, its unreal.

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Posted by Venelar

The AP

Member since Oct 2010

1134 posts

Posted on 9/27/16 at 8:38 am to Polar Pop

We had about 7k in medical debt with 1st kid, I feel your pain. Doing lawns for about 5 years was a huge swing financially. We went from 7k in debt, and bought about 10k in lawn stuff on top of it, to paying it all (debt+lawn stuff) off and building a 6month emergency fund. Now our "savings" money goes to Roth's instead.

It sucked not having my Saturday for awhile but it set us up.

Eta: when I was getting started I went to the houses that had commercial crews mowing.. they charge so much you could under cut them by 5-10 bucks and still do good. Just play the neighbor card and take care of them.

This post was edited on 9/27/16 at 8:40 am

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Posted by hungryone

river parishes

Member since Sep 2010

11987 posts

Posted on 9/27/16 at 8:57 am to Polar Pop

quote:
I live in a neighborhood of a few hundred houses. On any weekday, I could sit outside and see 20+ lawn trailers come in and out, its unreal.

So find out the going rate and undercut those guys by $5-10. Don't spread leaflets or put up ugly signs...simply drive around and note who's getting their yards cut. Make a list, and walk around on Sunday late afternoon knocking doors and offering your services as "neighbor helping neighbor" with a lower price.

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