Murrysville residents report unpermitted solicitation

A pest-control company is pestering Murrysville residents.

“We’ve had some issues lately with companies soliciting who do not have a permit,” Murrysville Chief Administrator Michael Nestico said at council’s latest meeting. “In particular there’s a pest-control company, Moxie, that we’ve had issues with lately, and it’s also been difficult to get hold of someone at the company.”

Nestico said July 15 solicitors for Moxie had not applied for a permit and had in some cases approached homes whose owners are on the town’s “do-not-knock” list.

Officials at Texas-based Moxie could not be reached for comment. But a customer service representative said she was aware that complaints had been filed recently regarding some of the company’s solicitation reps in other states where Moxie operates.

Murrysville updated its soliciting ordinance in 2022 so residents could have their addresses placed on a “do-not-knock” list.

He also said enforcement can be challenging.

“People who solicit are supposed to have their permit displayed or available to anyone who asks for it,” Nestico said. “We’ve received Ring doorbell footage from people, but it’s difficult to work with that, because we don’t know who people are or what company they’re from.”

Nestico encouraged residents to call 911 or the main line for Murrysville police — 724-327-2100 — to report unpermitted solicitors when they come knocking.

“That way it can be addressed while that person is still there or in the neighborhood,” he said. “Otherwise, enforcement can be difficult.”

Some types of solicitation are exempt from the “do-not-knock” list, including:

• Farmers selling their produce

• Those 18 and younger who are taking orders for or delivering newspapers; doing grass cutting, yard work or snow removal; offering pet-watching services, greeting cards, candy, sandwiches and bakery products; and doing similar activities

• Boy Scout and Girl Scout fundraising drives and those by similar organizations

• Garage sales by residents

• Religious, charitable and political organizations, societies, associations and corporations, as long as their primary purpose is expressing philosophical beliefs and not selling goods and merchandise

• School and/or athletic groups soliciting support for Murrysville-based organizations

For those who acquire a permit, solicitation hours are from 10 a.m. to dusk.