How many complaints against Terminix have been filed in Iowa?  How does the State of Iowa rate as a public agency in providing information to the public and/or in their own knowledge of pest control companies that spray toxic chemicals in homes?

On December 7, 1998, I sent an e-mail letter to the State of Iowa requesting the following information:

• The number of Terminix branches operating in the state of Iowa.
• The number of complaints filed against Terminix with Iowa’s licensing/regulatory agency and during what time period.
• The name of the licensing/regulating agency in Iowa.

After receiving no response, I sent a letter on February 22, 1999, to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Pesticide Bureau, asking the following questions.  The answers were provided in a letter dated June 1, 1999, from Elizabeth A. Sandburg, Program Planner, Pesticide Bureau:

1. What is the name and address of Iowa’s pest inspection/pest control licensing and regulating agency?

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Pesticide Bureau
Henry A. Wallace Building
Des Moines, IA 50319-0051
(515) 281-8591 (phone)

2. How many years does Iowa’s licensing and regulating agency maintain records of complaints against pest control/pest inspection companies?

The Pesticide Bureau maintains an historic record of complaints to 1982. However, actual investigation files are maintained for ten years.

3. How many Terminix branches are currently operating in Iowa?  (My records, taken from the Yellow Pages on the Internet, indicate there are 10 Terminix, aka Terminix International branches operating in Iowa.)

According to commercial pesticide applicator licensing data, there are five Terminix branches operating in Iowa. The last entry on the enclosed printout for PA License number 2807.000 is a record type “M” denoting it is a mailing address only.

4. How many complaints, if any, have been filed in Iowa against Terminix International (and its aka’s); including the nature of the complaints, name and location of Terminix branch involved; and disposition of complaints (dismissed, settled, fine, suspended or revoked license, probation, etc.)?

According to Bureau enforcement records, there have been five complaints filed and investigated in the past ten years concerning Terminix facilities. The enclosed table summarizes each of these complaints.

Complaints filed against Terminix International since 10/01/1998
With the Pesticide Bureau
Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship