How many complaints against Terminix have been filed in Montana?  How does the State of Montana 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 12, 1998, I sent an e-mail letter to the State of Montana’s Attorney General’s Office requesting the following information:

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

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

3. How many Terminix branches are currently operating in Montana?  (My records, taken from the Yellow Pages on the Internet, indicate there are no Terminix, aka Terminix International branches operating in Montana.)

4. How many complaints, if any, have been filed in Montana 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.)?

A letter dated December 30, 1998, from the Montana Attorney General’s Office states:

There are several agencies that you may wish to contact to gather the information you are seeking.  The Department of Agriculture administers Montana laws regarding pesticides and licensing of commercial applications and pesticide dealers.  This department should be able to assist you in determining the appropriate regulating authority of pesticide companies.  The Consumer Affairs Office may be able to address your questions regarding complaints against Terminix.  You may direct your inquiries to the following addresses:

Ms. Annie Bartos, Administrator
Consumer Affairs Office
P.O. Box 200501
Helena, MT  59620-0501


Mr. Ralph W. Peck, Director
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 200201
Helena, MT  59620-0201

On February 25, for additional information, I sent a letter to Ms. Bartos and a letter to Mr. Peck, asking the same questions.  On March 3, 1999, I received the following answers, identified as “a” from Mr. Peck; and on March 22, I received the answers identified as “b” from Jerome Wines, Consumer Affairs Unit with the Montana Department of Commerce:

1. Name and address of Montana’s pest inspection/pest control licensing and regulating agency:

1. The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA)
   P.O. Box 200201
   Helena, MT  59620-0201
   

2. I could not find where the State of Montana has a special licensing requirement for pest control/pest inspection operators.

2. Number of years Montana’s licensing/regulating agency maintains records of complaints:

1. Hard copy is maintained indefinitely; also since 1989, a computer database has been maintained.

2. No specific licensing or inspection unit, therefore no record of complaints.

3. Number of Terminix branches operating in Montana, if any.

1. Currently, no one is licensed under the name Terminix or Terminix International.

2. I could not find where Terminix has any branches in Montana.

4. The number of complaints filed against Terminix International (and its aka’s)....

1. The MDA Pesticide Tracking System does not list any records of complaints for Terminix dated back to when the system was implemented in 1989.

2. The Consumer Affairs Unit does not license any business, nor do we have a special pest control/pest inspection function.  However, in checking to see if we had any business complaints against Terminix International, I find none.  This would stand to reason, since it appears that there is no Terminix International branch in the State of Montana.