Georgia - 4/00. The Terminix process has begun.  We have had coverage for over ten years by a Terminix bond. They prepared the house and the property.  All inspections have stated no damage, no termites. Then they appear.  We are now in the third incident of destructive termites. To date, the damage has been minimal to moderate. Don’t know how much damage we will find this time, but the excuses have already started.  Your web site will undoubtedly provide me with a resource to battle this company.

North Carolina - 4/00. Based on a Terminix report and the previous owner’s disclosure, we purchased our home in 12/99. The property had been under contract with Terminix since 4/99. We received a renewal contract from Terminix early 2/00 for $250.  The contract contained several clauses which, if signed, claimed we had received the inspection graph, termiticide label, and “attached notice of cancellation.” When I tried to contact the Terminix office, I could never speak to a person; so I faxed them a letter asking for this information. This was silently ignored. Terminix sent a renewal notice for $200.  I called the regional office, explained the situation, and verbally asked for the information in addition to faxing a copy of the original request.  The regional office’s response was to send us a NEW contract WITHOUT any of the requested information. On April 3, my wife complained of swarming termites in the house. During the next 48 hours, I uncovered a major infestation on the opposite side of a 2x12 plate where Terminix had “controlled” the colony. I spoke with the local Terminix rep. All I got was a long-winded lecture of how termites operate and an attitude (“been in this business for 35 years...”), yet this person could not answer some basic termite questions.

I spoke with the previous owner, and he told me he verified with Terminix that his contract was transferable; Terminix pointed to the part of the contract stating it was. However, when I spoke with Terminix after pointing out their guarantee on their web page which includes the statement, “we help keep termites away, or pay for any new damage they cause -- no matter where it is and no matter what the cost.” He responded with, “the contract is with the previous owner, not you.” I consider this comment false and unsupportable because Terminix shows me, not the previous owner, in their database.  Also, the contract executed by the previous owner is clearly indicated as being in force (under OUR name) until 4/26/00 which it would be fully transferable to us.  It Terminix doesn’t honor its “guarantee,” I can only consider this to be a blatant case of false/misleading advertising.

California - 4/00. I recently had a Terminix termite inspector inspect my home and tell me I had termites.  He told me to write a check for the full $1,700 and they would not cash my check until Monday when the work was finished. In between this time, I decided that maybe I should get a second opinion.  I contacted Orkin.  The Orkin inspector told me I DON’T EVEN HAVE TERMITES.  I then called my bank, and the check had been cashed. (This was Friday, and the work was supposed to happen on Monday.)  I contacted a manager at Terminix.  He came to my house and confirmed his inspector filed falsely, and I don’t have termites.  No work was done and my money is gone.  I keep being told the check is in the mail, and I am still waiting. I don’t know what to do.  I will be contacting the licensing board...

Texas - 3/00. I am in the process of repairing $15,000 worth of termite damage to my house.  I have an on-going contract with Terminix and have been assured I did not have termites.

New Jersey - 3/00. Two years ago, we noticed swarmers coming out of the eaves of our newly-purchased home.  Naturally, we called Terminix; but I wish I had seen this site before I made that mistake.  The Sentricon system has been a $1,900 waste of money.  We had swarmers again last year; and Terminix refused to do anything about it, saying they take up to 24 months to kill the nest.  We just received our yearly renewal for $260 and feel trapped to a service that doesn’t work. This has been the biggest scam and rip-off.

California - 3/00. In July 1999, I purchased the Sentricon system for my new house. This is where the nightmare began. I chose to finance the system. The contract was lost for many months. In November 1999, they called us and asked us to sign another contract.  Since there would be issues with the warranty if I signed another, I refused. I did offer to send them a copy of my contract, which I did. Month after month, the service person comes out to the house -- usually when we are at work. They put comments on the Service/Inspection report, like the “gate is locked.” Well, yes, if they called first, we would make arrangements. Finally, last month, the representative (Jimmy) that came claimed to have checked all of the 19 stations at my home.  Seven of those are in my back yard, which is protected by a 10-foot fence and a 150-pound dog. He insisted that he did the work, and his supervisor, Frank Spiers, agreed. They could not explain the Houdini trick, but insisted that he checked all the stations.  Frank said that he could not explain how Jimmy got in the yard but agreed that, in the future, appointments need to be made.  Today, I got home from work to find another “Gate Locked” slip on my door.  They checked 12 of the 19.  At this point, we have been lied to and our wishes ignored.

Update:  We filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. They told us there were lots of complaints in the Sacramento area. The manager of the local office assigned us our very own representative to check our Sentricon system.  That worked for one month.  We have not seen or heard from him in the last two months. We wrote to the Terminix main office via the Internet and made a complaint.  We never got a response.  We called the local office, and they set up an appointment for June 15 at 1:00 p.m. He never showed up.  Finally, at 5:00 p.m. that day, we called the local office and told them not to come, we had another engagement.  These folks never learn.

Michigan - 3/00. I’ve had the Sentricon system in for one year now and there are no results.  The local Terminix manager has made many promises to no avail. He doesn’t even show up when making appointments.

Pennsylvania - 3/00. Finally, someone has the guts, time, money, perseverance, and brains to take on that unscrupulous, unethical, hideous, loathsome, despicable Terminix. Tonight, I had clicked on news headlines and noticed the name “Terminix.” Full of resentment against them and loathing the sight of their name, I clicked on the headline in hopes that I would read that the company finally received what they deserve -- to go bankrupt at the very least.  I wanted to quickly add my name to the list of disenchanted, cheated, incredulous former customers of that should-be-put-out-of-business-company Terminix.  Thanks, and once again, congrats on your great job of persevering against a company who thinks they are above the law and can tromp all over us powerless peons.

Maryland - 3/00. I, too, had a run-in with Terminix.  It took me something like five months of angry phone calls to get an incorrect billing changed. I became convinced the employees I was dealing with lacked the most rudimentary understanding of what they were doing.  Absolutely the worst company I have ever had to deal with!

Alabama - 3/00. My experience with Terminix as an owner of several properties on which they hold the termite bonds has also been negative. Their annual price increases are totally out of line with their competitors, and their charges are far higher.  This is one company I would loudly steer consumers clear of.  The regulation by the State of Alabama appears to be in favor of pest control companies. Why else would they make it financially very expensive to transfer a termite bond? Only to protect the installed base of the existing companies.  Heaven forbid that they have to compete among themselves, service might improve! I would never (and you know what they say about saying never) recommend anyone use Terminix given the chance.

New York - 3/00. I have, as recent as last week, dropped Terminix.  Mostly because about 15 years ago I hired Terminix to termite proof my house because of seeing a few termites at one spot in my home. I paid the $1,200 (in 1985) for the service. Since that time, I’ve paid every year a service contract fee that goes up every year.  The recent bill has come in near $200.  A few years ago, I had some remodeling done to my home and found termites and damages. Terminix told me they would re-treat the area but would not pay for any damages because my contract does not cover any damages, only re-treating. I think they are running a huge scam and should be investigated thoroughly. The main reason I had not dropped them sooner is that my wife and I argue every year the Terminix contract comes in. I end up paying it, because my wife does not want to lose the coverage. This time, I will no longer pay that company.

Tennessee - 3/00. We, too, received a clear bill of health from Terminix on a home that had multiple sites of damage from termites.  This happened to us three years ago.  We bid on a home that was repossessed by the Veterans’ Administration.  We were told we had no recourse in the matter and to just absorb the cost of repair and renovation while doing other work on the house. This is not fair for the homeowner already struggling to keep costs down from the purchase and moving into a new home.  It also shows the lack of integrity of businesses like Terminix and ServiceMaster. Our own Attorney General refuses to look at the wrongdoing of this large company. I guess this AG’s office is afraid of losing financial and political support from one of the largest companies operating in this state.

Tennessee - 3/00. Our house in invaded EVERY year (but one) for the last 15 years by swarmers, and Terminix has never discovered it.  Our problem now is we feel we have to stick with them for the inevitable HUGE repair bill we will be seeing sometime soon.  This is, if the house does not fall down on top of us before then.

Georgia - 3/00. Terminix treated my house for six months.  There was no improvement. I am a seventy-year-old widow without any more money to pay out to Terminix or for repairs on my home.  Terminix insists that it was existing damage to my home; therefore, they are not responsible. However, more termites have been found since they started treatment.

Tennessee - 3/00. I’ve lived in Tennessee for the last five years, and I had not known of the danger of termites in this part of the country.  I have no idea what the insect looks like or anything.  A man from a Terminix branch came out to do a free inspection on my home and told me that I had swarming termites and needed an immediate treatment. Being scared to death, I wanted to jump right on getting a treatment fast, but something told me to get a second opinion about the termites. I then called another pest inspection company. A man from their office came out and informed me that I had a carpenter ant infestation and not a termite infestation.  I quickly became angry at the Terminix inspector for his dishonesty and wanting nothing but to sell me a termite job.

Ohio - 4/00. Eleven months ago, I contracted with Terminix International, Canton, Ohio, to get rid of carpenter ants over my attached garage door.  This treatment was effective, and there is no sign of any infestation.  However, the property is being sold; and an inspection is needed to make sure there are no further problems. Guess what.  Terminix wants an additional $300 to make such an inspection when the usual charge by other reputable firms is $60 to $65. My advice to others, if you are looking for service -- look elsewhere.

Tennessee - 3/00. How can Terminix justify charging $85 for a termite clearance letter?  I have had termite coverage through Terminix for the past eight years.  The contract is still valid.  Now, as I am getting ready to sell the house, they charge me $85.  The inspector was only in the house about 30 minutes, then according to customer service at Terminix, they spend about 30 minutes doing the forms when they get back to the office.  This is $85 I am being charged for one hour’s work. This is unheard of. A physician does not even make $85 an hour.  How can Terminix get away with charging this much?

Web mistress note: In California, our pest inspection report was $95, so I don’t think $85 was out of line. I included this complaint for two reasons: 1) I think what may be out of line is a 30-minute inspection; and 2) it relates to the next posted entry, providing a cost comparison.