Ohio - 5/01. I just bought a house last October.  We had a termite inspection before the closing, and Terminix treated the house.  They put traps around the perimeter of the house and two in the basement.  I never gave it a thought until about a month and a half ago when my wife and I were working in the basement, and we noticed a trail from each of the traps that lead to a crack in the wall.  I knocked part of one of the trails away and saw a stream of termites going AWAY from the bait trap. I called the number for the local Terminix office and there was no answer, answering machine, or voice mail.  This was late on a Sunday night, so I called them first thing Monday morning. They asked when a good time would be to come out, and I told them that evenings are the best because we both work. They were supposed to call me back; and as you guess, they didn’t.  I called them back two days later and got the run around about the lady that was handling my account was off for the day.  Once I finally got them to set up an appointment for a Saturday (two weeks later) between 10-12 in the morning.  I rearranged my schedule to be there, and no one showed up. When I called them at 1 p.m., I got someone’s voicemail; and they finally called me back that evening and apologized, saying they were short staffed.  (Doesn’t excuse them from not keeping appointments; in my book, they shouldn’t schedule the appointment if they can’t keep it.)  I was having some trees cut down the next Wednesday, and one of the tree guys said that someone from Terminix had shown up and looked at the traps outside and replaced one of them because it was full.  I had no notes or documentation of any kind saying that they were there.  Someone showed up around 6:30 p.m. a week after that.  He came in, looked at the bait traps in the basement, pulled the one most of the way off the wall and saw that there had been termites there, but they were gone then. He said that someone would have to come out and spray, that he wasn’t the guy that could do any service (so why did they send him?). He was going back to the office and putting our file on his boss’ desk and have him call me first thing the next day.  Well, that was two weeks ago, and nothing.

? - 5/01. I have a feeling I am only beginning my battle with Terminix.  My fiancé and I bought a house on March 28. Only one incident of termite damage was disclosed to us, so we have another monster on our hands with the previous owners. However, the tactics and standards Terminix used in repairing and treating the house are astounding!  They replaced some beams while others obviously damaged were left, compromising the structural integrity of the house. After we found we had termite damage in one undisclosed location (that the owners and Terminix WERE AWARE of), we tore down all sheet rock and found many, many more severely damaged areas.  We now have a suit being filed against Terminix. They were given the option to settle for $20,000, but they felt $10,000 was sufficient.  We practically tore down the house, all but the structure, and are rebuilding it as we speak.  What a nightmare we walked into -- not only walked into but PAID money for!!!

Pennsylvania - 5/01. As is true for many others, I am unhappy with the install of a Sentricon system at my new house.  I did send a letter to the local office, and the president and somebody did finally come fix it, but it was some high-level manager. The day-to-day people are idiots and only care about getting my check. Fortunately, I only paid a deposit of $500 and will send them no more money.  I should have been suspicious when they pressured me to pay the whole thing at once.  I sent a follow-on letter asking for my money back per their service guarantee. I wonder how much I am going to have to annoy them and how much they will annoy me for the rest.  I told the president in the second letter that I don’t want to deal with them any more, just give me back my $500 and call it quits.  If they do, I won’t notify the BBB; otherwise, I will.

My original letter was sent in 30 days, and it took them about one week to fix it. The second letter was just sent, which is about six weeks after the initial install. The local office doesn’t even care about installing it right; why would they care to give me back my money? They originally installed all stations next to the house.  I mean right next to it, which is different than what the sales guy and Terminix’s customer service told me. Funny thing was that they told me they’d get in trouble and can lose their rights to install if I notify Dow, which I am about to do; but only if they don’t refund my money.

Update 6/01. Nothing has happened since I wrote corporate.  I haven’t contacted the local office, but assumed corporate would. They just send me a bill every month, and I ignore it. Fortunately, I’m only out $500. I guess I’m going to write the owner; and if he ignores me, then the PA state attorney general.  They have a warranty which means nothing unless they honor it; so, it’s a “selective warranty.”  What a sleazy company.

Update 7/01. I did hear back from them concerning my refund, and that was by complaining to the Better Business Bureau.  They agreed in writing to give me back my $500 of $3100 bill. But of course, no check; and I won’t consider it 100% resolved until I have the check in hand.  They whined and moaned big time, saying they never knew I was requesting a refund.  Perhaps true, because I sent my letter to corporate to request the refund and said “you handle it” -- they’re Terminix, right? Also, customer service said I should send the request to Cantu.  And then based on the letters you last sent me, they threw it in the trash. So, I am sure they never notified the local office.  They did when I initially complained about the problem. They also weren’t happy giving back the $500 because it “failed to compensate them for their time and manpower.”  Hey, guess what.  They shouldn’t offer a money-back guarantee then! Owner claimed I basically was changing my mind -- very true, I changed my mind because I wasn’t satisfied with the quality of their service.  I’ll let you know if I ever get a check. They said they were doing it in the interest of good consumerism. Yea, right.

Update 7/01. You’ll be glad to know that I finally received a full refund of my deposit from Terminix -- $500.  I didn’t have to even bug them too much.

Pennsylvania - 5/01. Have had Terminix for about nine years.  Have had several problems with technicians not showing up for scheduled appointments. I have contacted supervisors with no help. I am now going to switch to another extermination service.

Indiana - 5/01. My mom is having health problems, and it all occurred after a Terminix job at her house. We think they may be the cause of her problems, so I was looking at your site for others who have dealt with Terminix.

Tennessee - 5/01. I also received a clear termite inspection report when I purchased a home in January 1998.  The house, which is 27 years old, has had a termite contract with Terminix since the dirt work was done on the property before beginning construction.  My house is infested with termites.

Missouri - 5/01. Amazing how many people are having problems with Terminix as I am. I have been having problems with them not showing up for a year and finally canceled my contract with them in March of this year.  However, on my last technicians visit, there was snow on the ground, and he said he would be back to finish the outside spraying when there was no snow.  That was THREE months ago.  My husband and I have called them EVERY week since asking for a technician to finish the job, but no one ever comes. They have lied to us so many times I’ve lost count. I have paid for their last service in full, but they have not finished the job.  When I asked for the 1-800 customer service number to call and make a complaint, the people in our local office claim they don’t know the number.  Who do I call???? I don’t know.  My ex-husband worked for Terminix, and I believed them to be a reputable company; but not now.  They have lied and stolen money from me. I feel so bad for other people mentioned in these pages who have had to deal with far worse!

New York - 5/01. After 10 years under contract with Terminix and several yearly inquiries of termite tunnels in the garage, Terminix always said they saw no live activity so they couldn’t treat with chemicals.  My sister and her husband went to do a home project of replacing a window (they couldn’t afford contractor’s prices) and found extensive termite damage on the opposite side of the home from where they always asked about infestation. Upon opening up the wall, they found two entire exterior walls needed replacing, which led to taking up the vinyl tile floor where they found live termites. There were lucky in that they were handy and that my brother-in-law had friends in the construction business who rallied to help them replace the walls.  They still need to do the windows, sheet rocking and flooring themselves.  Had they not had those resources, they would not have had the money to repair their home.

Tennessee - 5/01. My husband and I have been using Terminix since June of last year, and I have been unsatisfied and disappointed in the quality of service I’ve received. I called the manager of my service technician today to cancel my service. Of course, he did not return my call.  I received a bill for service that was not rendered. I’ve made appointments with my technician by phone, and he has failed to show up at the agreed time.  I called and complained, and I was told they would look into it; but the lack of quality of service and response time has made me realize this is not a company I want to give my hard-earned dollars to.  I will not recommend Terminix to anyone I know.

Connecticut - 5/01. We trusted the name Terminix and have had nothing but hassles. Last week when I found this site, I just here and cried. I finally knew we were scammed.  I figured it was just bad luck with servicemen not keeping appointments, termites swarming, etc. We have waited for three weeks now for them to show up. When you do get someone to take a phone call, they just lie. They must be having a good laugh at our expense. They keep promising to come out, and it’s always a new person. One summer, they drilled right through the gas line to our house.  If I had a buck for every time they don’t show up, I would have the money for the yearly renewal fee. The State of CT closed them down in Trumbull, and now they just reopened in the next town. I was diagnosed with Lymphoma shortly after our house was treated for termites.  Anyone else out there with cancer after termite treatment??? I also had termite treatment, in May 1996. I contracted for the extended service, which says they will repair any further damage caused by the termites. At this date, I still have termites, large gaping holes in woodwork, and no idea how much structural damage they have caused.  One supervisor told me I “should be happy that my house is still standing!” They have been uncooperative and refuse to stand by their contract. I wanted to move over four years ago but cannot sell my home with active termites.  I have spoken with attorneys regarding a lawsuit but they have also been unwilling to take on this company.

Update (6/01): After so many problems getting service from Terminix, we contacted the State of Connecticut. They went to the Terminix office and also came to our house to watch them do the work.  Only took about four weeks and hundreds of phone calls to get service.  Monday is Catscan day to see if I have relapsed with my Lymphoma.  Was diagnosed shortly after our house was treated by Terminix in 1992. If only we knew back then what we know now about Terminix. I have been approached by a news station to do a story on pesticides and lymphoma and will decide shortly if I will do it. I would love to see them out of business, but it takes so much energy to fight them; and when you are sick with cancer, you need all the energy you have just for living. Thank God I found this web site.

New York - 5/01. I stumbled across your web site while writing Terminix yet another letter complaining about my termite service, or lack thereof. I have been dealing with Terminix for over a year now.  After spending several thousand dollars for their termite eradication system, I haven’t seen them again. No one comes out to check the traps. I get no satisfaction from their 800 number, and quite frankly, I’m getting worn down trying to get them to honor their contract. You mentioned in your web site that you wrote to the chairman of Terminix. Could you give me his name and address, I have asked for it in previous letters to their web site but have not gotten a response.