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

On December 9, 1998, I sent an e-mail letter to the State of Indiana asking the following:

With approximately 21 Terminix branches in Indiana, who, if anyone, licenses and regulates pest inspection companies in the state of Indiana?

In response to my request, I received an e-mail on December 10, 1998, from Charles Hear stating:

There are two basic answers to your question.

The first answer is that the industry is unregulated at the state level. That means that they must comply with the federal laws and (if any) state laws on the use of pesticides or be sued by injured people or prosecuted by federal or county prosecutors.

The second answer is that there may be some counties that license or otherwise regulate members of this industry.  Lake County (Chicago area) comes to mind. However, take note that the heating and cooling industry, electrical industry, and home inspection industry, with many others are completely unregulated at the state level.  Most counties regulate and license electricians. Some counties regulate and license heating and cooling. I am not aware of any counties which regulate or license home inspection, but it is possible.

I am not aware of any county which regulates pest control, but there may be some.

On February 22, 1999, I mailed a letter, asking the same questions as above, to the Office of the Attorney General.  Perhaps the industry is unregulated in Indiana -- a frightening thought I must say given the fact toxic chemicals are being used; but it’s possible the Attorney General’s Office has received complaints against Terminix.

On March 26, 1999, I received a letter from the State of Indiana, Office of the Attorney General, signed by Kimberly Black, Complaint Analyst, stating:

The Office of the Attorney General does not license pest control businesses. However, the State Chemists Office would be the proper office to address your questions.  The State Chemist Office telephone number is 765-494-1492. The Commissioner for that office is Dr. Hanks.

The function of this office is to bring lawsuits in the name of the state against those firms whose business conduct has evidenced pattern of illegal activity when such action would be in the public interest. We require evidence of a repeated pattern of unlawful conduct in order to sue under the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act or any other laws enforced by the Consumer Protection Division.

How could they possibly know if there is a “pattern of illegal activity” when even the Indiana State agencies don’t know where, if anywhere, to file complaints?

Comment received via e-mail:

I am a former Terminix employee. Your web is incorrect about Indiana not regulating the pest control industry. The Office of the State Chemist, located at Purdue University, West Lafayette does regulate, fine, etc. pest control companies in the state. Contact Dave Scott, Indiana State Chemist for more information.