As you may know, I am not originally from the south.
I grew up in northeastern Ohio and then went to college in Boston. After my college days, I lived and worked in the Boston market for 18 years.
Yes, I LOVED Boston! I loved the close proximity to Cape Cod and the islands as well as cultivating my love of sailing and scuba diving in the cold waters of New England. I never noticed Bugs in New England. The word "bug" wasn't even part of my vocabulary.
That changed almost immediately when I relocated to Atlanta in February 1994.
Moving to Georgia was somewhat of a "culture shock" for me. The main change was...well...bugs! Now, I'm not exactly "squeamish" about bugs. Truly, I'm not afraid of them nor do I run screaming like a little girl when I see a bug. But, I want you to know that northerners have never seen "bugs" -- like bugs in the south. Southern bugs, look like nothing you've ever laid eyes on. Most are harmless, some are actually cute, but often they defy description.
Up north, people aren't worried about bugs! But, up north, if you see an Orkin Pest Control truck in a neighbor's driveway, there is an immediate assumption by all folks who pass by, that your neighbor must keep a dirty house. After all why else would you have bugs?
Meanwhile, in the sunny south, the sight of a bug truck at your neighbors house is somewhat...well...typical. When I arrived in the south, I did not know or realize that people had relationships with the various Pest Control Companies -- BUG STOP, BUGS BE GONE, ORKIN and others. Everyone has a subscription to a Pest Control Company. These companies make frequent and regular visits to vaccinate homes, gardens and yards from the possibility of various indigenous and phantom pests -- bugs.
Here's a funny story. I wasn't in Atlanta more than 3 weeks, when one night I was amazed, shocked, horrified, embarrassed to find a "familiar" bug on my bedroom floor. I say "familiar" because I had seen pictures in encyclopedias of this particular bug -- but never before, had I actually seen one with my naked eye.
I didn't think anyone would believe me, so I put a garbage can over the bug for safe keeping overnight. When morning arrived,the scorpion on my bedroom floor was dead!
At the time, I was working at a company where there was no office privacy. By that I mean, all employees worked out of cubicles. This was also before most people had cell phones. Being a northerner, I was more embarrassed (than afraid) that my new house seemed to have a bug problem. Not knowing that the presence of bugs is perfectly acceptable in the south, I was anxious to call a pest control company for an immediate remedy to the situation.
My dilemma: I didn't want a new co-worker to over hear my conversation with a bug company. Each day I would wait till the coast was clear before dialing the telephone number for Orkin -- the major pest control company in Atlanta. Several times a day, I would dial 404-555-PEST, and simultaneously a co-worker would show up at the threshold of my cubicle. Immediately, I would hang up. I eventually had to wait for the weekend to make the dreaded call from home.
When Orkin finally arrived at my house to perform their magic, I mentioned how hard it had been to reach them. I told the "bug man" that I had hung up at least 57 times during the week as their receptionist would answer the phone and a cheerful co-worker would show up at my cubicle at the same time. I was totally ashamed and embarrassed! The bug guy said, "that was you!?"
Billy, the bug guy, told me that none of my co-workers would think less of me for being an Orkin client and it certainly wouldn't keep me from winning friends in the office place. As Billy, told me in his southern drawl, "Bugs don't bother me." "Don't let 'em bother you."
I share this story, to tell you that you need not fear southern bugs. If you are planning to relocate to the area, you will probably need a "bug guy" like Billy. Regular treatments typically occur every 6 to 8 weeks or quarterly and will keep you "bug-free". Additionally, the south is known for termites. The question isn't, "are they here?" The question is, when will they arrive?" If you are planning to sell your home or purchase a new one, you will need a termite letter prior to closing.
Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the Atlanta metro area. If you need a referral to a termite or pest inspector, Sara Hibbard will be happy to make a recommendation. Sara Hibbard is easily reached at 404-660-2481 or 770-399-8108 or e-mail at sara@SaraHibbard.com. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!
