North Carolina - 12/00.  In 1993, we began to have our home treated by Terminix for routine pest control.  When the applicator arrived, I explained that I had a toddler and wanted to know if we should leave the house while he sprayed, or if I should open the windows, or pick up her toys before he came.  His answer was, “no, this is perfectly safe.  All I’m using is Diazinon.  It’s okay.” Of course, after doing the research I’ve done since then, I know this was not true.

My family had a termite treatment by Terminix in 1997. Our home was on a slab.  The carpeting was pulled back on the inside around the perimeter of the home.  (One of the applicators called my attention to a crack in the slab on the interior of the house, in the hallway.)  Drill holes were installed, and the termiticide was applied around the perimeter.  The holes were then covered with cement, and the carpet put back. More holes were drilled on the exterior and termiticide applied. I was allowed to stay in the house during the drilling and application.  I was even vacuuming dust from the drilling.  We were asked to leave for four hours.

I experienced nausea for days after the treatment. When I called Terminix about this, I was told a manager would have to return my call.  No one ever called me back. I felt silly, so I just dropped it.  The pesticide odor persisted for about a month; and after that, every time the dishwasher ran, the odor returned. As time passed, I experienced more problems. I never related them to the treatment. Memory problems, concentration, blurred vision, insomnia, irritability, depression, chronic fatigue, tingling in my leg, and palpitations. In 1998, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and became disabled.  When I finally realized my illness could possibly be related to the termite treatment, I called and asked Terminix to send me an MSDS on the product used. They sent me a sheet on Equity (chlorpyrifos).  I contacted the NC Dept. of Agriculture.  When they contacted Terminix, they were told they had lost my termite records, even though they are supposed to keep them for two years.  (They were cited for this violation -- big deal!) I wonder why they still had my records from 1993 on our routine pest control?

My six year old daughter began to experience chronic fatigue, insomnia, stomach pain, anxiety, and seems to be developing multiple chemical sensitivity.  After the research I’ve done on pesticides, I realize the significance of the crack in the slab. Termiticides are not allowed in unvented crawl spaces because the vapors can seep up into the house through cracks in the flooring. Terminix applied the termiticide into my unvented slab, and the vapors seeped up into the house through the crack in the slab. The applicator should have known better.We eventually moved from that home, before we realized our illnesses were related to the treatment.  Three years after our treatment, we sent eight items (kitchen mitt, vanity skirt, shirts, dresses, underwear, socks) to a lab for chemical analysis for pesticides. All eight items contained chlorpyrifos three years after application.  The toxicologist who performed the tests stated there was a high probability all the fabric items we brought from our home contained the pesticide residual.  We subsequently have had to replace everything.  In my eyes, Terminix was negligent in several areas:

1. They gave us no information on the chemical they were applying or what health issues to watch for.
2. They neglected to return a phone call regarding an ill effect from their application.
3. They “lost” our records.
4. They applied the treatment in a compromised area that could contaminate the house.

If I had known the nausea was caused by the pesticide used, I would have gotten my family out of the house and left.  I was not given the proper information to make that vital decision. Therefore, we stayed; and our home became our gas chamber.  We were slowly poisoned.  My life and the lives of my family have forever been changed, courtesy of Terminix.

New Jersey - 12/00.  I have had dealings with Terminix also. Of course, not at the same level as you. They have poor customer service skills, and their salesmen cannot be trusted.  I only had monthly service. I stopped the service after about 10 years because of the strange personality of some of their employees. I also found their employees to be lacking in knowledge about the business they were in compared to the employees I had in the beginning of our contract.  I am sticking to the ma and pa pest businesses in my area.

Pennsylvania - 11/00.  I was surprised when I saw the web site for the Terminix Alert, but not shocked. I have been a victimized customer of Terminix since August 2000. I had a problem with mice in my home, and I purchased several glue traps to attempt to catch them.  I became successful catching one.  The day I caught that mouse, I called Terminix, assuming I had more mice that needed to be caught. Terminix was prompt, and the serviceman seemed to be very understanding. I also expressed to him that my parents had a problem with Terminix, and I didn’t want a repeat of their situation. I asked that the technician not come to my house without calling first.  He said that it was no problem, that it could be arranged. I also expressed this concern to the technician who came out about one hour after I signed the contract. He in return also told me no problem.  The technician sprayed the outside and inside of my residence. He also laid six glue boards in what he called strategic locations in my basement. (I noticed droppings on my first and second floor only.) They have never caught a mouse, and I have never had a problem with mice since I caught the one. I also had a bee problem under my side porch; and the first time, the technician sprayed what I thought was an adequate amount.  Each additional monthly visit was done without me being notified. After one particular visit, I attempted to go out on my side porch and was unable to because of the swarm of bees. I called Terminix, and they told me that it takes a few months for the spray to be effective and in the meantime they would send the technician back out. He did come back out and respray. I called Terminix again because I was told that snap traps would be placed under my stove and a metal trap box in the basement.  This never took place.  I have called and complained several times that I feel as though Terminix took advantage of me. I don’t feel satisfied at all, and I requested to terminate my contract.  I have paid for the service calls that took place prior to me asking to terminate, but I was told by a manager that I signed a yearly contract and I’m obligated to fulfill it.  In return, I told him I do not want any of his employees on my property again.  Two days ago, I had another bill in my front door.  Reading the back of my contract, it has no mention of satisfaction guaranteed.

Texas - 11/00.  We have been using Terminix for almost four years.  When we purchased our home (our first), it had been disclosed that at one time there were termites but the problem was taken care of. We moved in in February 1996; and in March, we found swarmers and termites in both bathrooms.  Terminix came out and treated the house for about $1,600!!  We were also told that once we had them, we would probably never get rid of them.  The damage was not real bad, only along the baseboards, which I have found is the wood they love to eat.  I was afraid to have it repaired in fear they would return in the same place.  They did. The next spring, they were back in the same place.  I called Terminix to schedule my yearly renewal inspection and told them we found termites again.  The inspector came out two weeks later. He looked like he just graduated high school.  He proceeded to open my cabinets, shine the flashlight, and say, “There doesn’t seem to be any termites.” He did spray the bathrooms anyway. He never looked anywhere else inside or outside the house.

March of ‘98, we had swarmers but could never find where they were coming from.  Called Terminix to do the yearly inspection; open the cabinets, shine a light, and say, “No termites.”  (We pay $100 each year for this inspection.) March of ‘99, had swarmers again.  They are now next to the fireplace, and the damage is severe. We could have pushed through the wall if we wanted to. We pulled the carpet up and noticed there was water coming in at the bottom of the wall. Called Terminix, they sent out the freshly-graduated high-school student. He opened the cabinets, shined his light, and said, “I don’t see any termites.” I told him that was because that is not where they are.  I showed him the wall and took him outside where we had removed the siding so he could see the termite tracks in the wood.  He said it was water damage.  I told him I wanted my entire house treated again, and he said he could not schedule a treatment without seeing live termites. He made notes about the damage to my wall and said he would turn the report into his supervisor and that he would contact me.  It is now almost December of 2000, and I have never heard from them.  It cost us $800 to have our wall repaired. Spring of 2000, I did see swarmers again but could not find where they were coming from. I have contacted an attorney and will be meeting with him about our rights.

Kansas - 11/00.  My complaint is about their under-handed, shoddy business practices.  We had been with them for many years and did not have any problems. This year has been a nightmare!  Our last service with them was in July 2000. We had a standing appointment of 8:30 a.m. the second Monday of every month.  On the August date, no one showed up! Three weeks later, a message was left on our answering machine that someone would be out the next day for service.  We were not asked if this was acceptable or if anyone would be home. We were not here!  In September, the scheduled day came and no one showed up.

On October 13th, an employee with Terminix came to service our home. I was not notified beforehand or asked if this would be acceptable. I was unable to answer the door because I wasn’t dressed.  I got dressed as fast as I could and watched the employee from a peephole in my door.  He sprayed in front of our garage, about 4 feet across, and sprayed around our front porch, about 4’ x 4’. He was here less than five minutes.  He put a bill in our front door and left. On the bill, he put his time down as being here 15 minutes and that he sprayed the front of the garage and exterior areas.  He could not spray the outside of our home, because we had our fence gates locked.  His bill said we owed $33.26. I e-mailed Terminix and explained the circumstances. Our reply was a bill in the mail for $34.32. We paid the bill, because we didn’t have any other choice. For a business to send someone out, without consent, is appalling and disgusting.  Terminix proved they are out to cheat customers and make money any way they can, even deceptively. I know our bill is “small potatoes” compared to others, but it is the principle of the matter.  No business should be allowed to perform services, without consent, and especially not bill a customer for it.  We have contacted the police department, and we will press charges if a Terminix employee comes on our property again.  We will send letters to several city newspapers in the state and let people know such disgusting business practices are being done.

California - 11/00.  I knew I could not be alone with problem with Terminix. I have had pest control service from Terminix for over a year and a half.  When I moved to my new house last December, I transferred the service. They were unable to control the ants here, and I had millions of ants coming out of every corner in the house. According to the warranty, they were to come and spray the house until it is under control. I called them several times, but they failed to come.  Since June, I refused to pay for service, took pictures of huge amounts of ants in my house. I have tried to resolve it with them over the phone and have been keeping track of all the calls. I stopped the service in June. I am now using a different company which has worked great. I talked to the manager, and he asked me to send the pictures and other information along with the money.  He promised he would tear the check if he thought they were at fault. They not only cashed my check, but also put the amount in collection. Due to Terminix, I am now getting calls and letters from collection agency. Basically, I am being harassed for a service which did not work and I have already paid in full.

Georgia - 11/00.  Posted November 6, 2000, on Terminix’s “Customer Care Board” and republished here with permission of complainant:

On September 13, some Terminix representatives came to my home and treated for termite damage.  At the time, I wanted documentation of the visit, the treatment done, and a representative to come look at the damage. I was told both requests would be taken care of in a couple of days. Well, two months later and four phone calls to the Macon office, I still haven’t seen or heard from Mr. Mark Wilder, the manager who is supposed to contact me. This poor customer service leads me to contact you guys. Maybe you will care for a customer that has been with you for this long.

Update:  The e-mail I sent them did result in swift action.  I got a call that afternoon from the manager and set up an appointment for the next day to look over the situation. He came over and was very apologetic and took all the blame for himself at the earliest possible opportunity. He had his contractor come and fix the problem about two days later.  I would like to know if I’ve been paying a yearly fee for the prevention of termite damage, then how did I get termites?

California - 11/00.  On April 25, 1999, a representative from Terminix came out and told us he had detected termites around our water heater, and the only way to get rid of them was to install termite stations.  He gave us a bid with a cost of $1770 in which we could make monthly payments.  I told him we had Terminix service our house at one time, and we canceled our service with them because they never came out. He guaranteed they will come out once a month and asked me what day. I told him, since we have three big dogs, they would need to come out the first Saturday of each month.  He told me that would not be a problem, wrote it down, and we signed the contract.  On May 1, 1999, the Terminix guys came out and installed the stations. After that date, the guys would come out on a week day and check the stations when we were at work.  We would find the Terminix invoice on our door, and I would have to call and remind them they were supposed to show up on Saturday. I put a lock on the gate after the 6th time of telling them they needed to come here on a Saturday. However, they still kept coming on a weekday and would only check the front stations.  We made numerous calls to them with our complaints, and they acted like they didn't care.  Right before our one-year contract ended, they invoiced us for another year of service. We were told it is like house insurance.  Pay for it (approximately $274) for one year, and we will still check the stations to make sure no activity of termites are present. Well, on March 11, 2000, I went into the kitchen and found several of the termite wings and bugs everywhere on our countertop and inside our bathtub.  I called Terminix, at which time the guy who answered the phone said we did not exist in their computer and he had no idea who we were.  After putting up with his "I can't find you" attitude for about 10 minutes, he said he would send someone over even though he had no idea who we were.  About 1 hour later, a regular "bug" Terminix man showed up and said we definitely had termites and we needed to have the termite guy come over and check out the stations.  I called Terminix again and they said no problem.  As of today, no one from Terminix has shown up or even made the attempt to call us back.  We have made several attempts to get one of their guys out here and have finally given up with frustration. I am confused as to why I put out so much money and also paid for a guaranteed one year "Insurance" and instead, the termites are the ones who will win this battle.  I just hope that when we decide to ever sell our home it is not full of termites.  Or as one of their guarantees, will they back us up as they claim.

Georgia - 11/00.  I assumed a Terminix contract when I purchased my house a little over five years ago. I have had nothing but problems ever since.  I have had recurring termites every year since the purchase of my house (always in different areas of the house.) I haven’t had a problem getting Terminix to come out and retreat (after I pluck termites out of the walls for them to see); but my contract is supposed to include a repair bond, and Terminix has yet to repair the two sheet rock walls in my house that the termites have damaged.  I have placed several calls to their 800 number complaining that the repairs have not been made; and now, after reading your web site, it’s very doubtful they will ever make the repairs.  Since I assumed the contract from the previous owner of my house, I have never actually read the contract and cannot get Terminix to provide me with a copy of the original contract. I have also had problems with my yearly inspections. They always want to inspect during the dead of winter, when, of course, there won’t be any visible termite activity.  I also have asked them every year to schedule my inspection when I am home so they can inspect the interior of the house as well; but they always seem to come when I'm not home and leave a hang tag on the front door telling me they’ve been here, that they didn’t find any problems. But when spring time rolls around, I inevitably have a termite problem somewhere in the house. I have kept my contract with Terminix; because I can at least get them to come retreat if I find live termites, and I cannot afford to pay the initial $1,200 to $1,500 to another company to do their initial treatment if I change companies. With all these complaints I’m reading, you would think someone would put a stop to their fraudulent business practices.