New York - 5/01. A handyman who did some work for us recommended the Sentricon system, and it was the biggest mistake I ever made.  Have had it for four years and only once did they find termites in one of the stations. Have seen termites swarming in my garage and pool house; but when I call Terminix, they tell me if they were termites, they would have been picked up by the stations. They also don’t come out every month like they should, and I have caught their service people not even examining the bait in the stations which is fraud.  Utterly dissatisfied with the service.  Paid $2177 to have it installed and have paid $380 a year to continue the service.  Didn’t read the small print in the contract at the time I signed it and missed the fact that if I terminate their service, all the stations belong to them and they can come and pick them up.  I would also definitely be interested in participating in a class action.

Update 6/01. The AG office sent out a representative from the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) who took videos of the stations and found at least one that looked like it hasn’t been touched in ages even though they were out for an inspection just three days before.  Unfortunately, an attorney for the NYS DEC told the rep it’s not strong enough evidence (what more do they need?)  In any event, the rep sent in his report to the Consumer Fraud Division of the AG office. I received a form letter from the AG office which didn’t please me.  It starts off that they have received and reviewed my complaint but doesn’t tell me what they will do other than they will intervene if they believe their mediation might help bring about a resolution. That sounds like if Terminix says they don’t want to consider an adjustment, the AG office will just throw up its hands and say, “Oh well!!” They did say they are forwarding a copy of my complaint to Terminix and “request” a statement of their position and a possible adjustment. I was hoping they would demand an explanation.  The AG office sounds like a bunch of wimps to me.

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.

California - 4/01. I had Terminix at my previous address. More often than not, they were late or did not show up. I called recently to get the free inspection at my new address.  They made an appointment and never showed up. I have had it with them.

New Jersey - 4/01. We began having swarms in our family room, which is built on a concrete slab, about five years ago.  At that time, we had a long-standing contract with the local, family-owned business which we felt was not being aggressive enough in their approach to the problem. In June 2000, I dropped their service and contracted with Terminix for a sum of $1,967.  The Sentricon stations were installed; and then for two months, they were monitored and then nothing after that.  This April, the swarming began again; and at that point, I began cutting holes in various places in the family room wall and found mud tubes on several of the 2x4 studs with active termite infestation. One of the studs had been completely destroyed.  I called the local Terminix office and was assured someone would be out to install an AG box.  I took off work on the scheduled day, and no one showed.  When I called the office and spoke to the technician, he told me he was never informed he was to service my house that day.  When someone finally came, it was a young guy who was in his first week on the job; and it was quite obvious he knew nothing about the correct service procedures nor about termites in general.  On another occasion, two guys came out (one was in his last week on the job and the other was a trainee) to do a “Timbor” treatment. Their spray can was not operating, and they resorted to shooting the powdered Timbor down behind the wall all the while complaining about the lousy pay and poor equipment provided by the company.

After several more phone calls (one in which the service manager greeted me with “You again?!”), someone finally came to install an AG box. I had to request he go into the crawl space to make sure the termites had not spread to the rest of the house. He did and assured me there was no evidence of any infestation. He also told me he would see I received a call from the company to arrange a time when they could come out to do a proper Timbor treatment to protect the wood that hadn’t been attacked.  Almost a week has gone by, and I have heard nothing.  By the way, two weeks ago, I received a bill for the renewal of the contract, which I paid.  It was only yesterday that I pulled out the original contract and realized it was for two years. At this point, I fear there may be more damage under the floor of the family room since there is a crack in the ceramic tile that runs all the way across the floor. When I question them about the possibility, I get responses like, “That’s what happens when you build on a slab.”  I chose them because they were the largest in the business.  So much for “bigger is better.”

Update - 5/02.  This is the beginning of my third year with Terminix. I had consulted with a local “mom & pop” company that is highly regarded in my area, and the owner advised me to stay with Terminix due to the investment I had made with them. He told me to hold their feet to the fire, because to dismiss them would be just what they wanted.  A Terminix tech arrived yesterday after we had a minor swarm in the family room again, and he methodically checked all the Sentricon stations.  Most of the ones in the back of my house were so full of dirt that he commented that they could not possibly have been checked properly. He did find two with live activity, and he immediately baited them. He spent a total of two and a half hours with me advising me of things that I could do around the property to lessen the attraction; e.g., removing the mulch from my garden bed, etc.  Just as he was about to leave, a massive swarm began emanating from my garage; and, suddenly, holes began to appear in the face board above my garage from where literally hundreds of swarmers emerged.  I began to remove all the wood trim from around my garage and discovered all the underlying wood totally destroyed. We discovered mud caked under my siding shingles; and until they can be removed, there is no telling how much damage I have sustained.

Now, I don’t know how effective the Sentricon is; but if it is, its effectiveness is directly proportional to the conscientious monitoring that obviously wasn’t done.  My neighbor reported that on several occasions she has seen the “inspector” come and go directly to the backyard and come out in less than ten minutes and drive away. I have 25 stations covering the entire perimeter of the house; and there is no way he could have inspected them correctly.  Our neighbors around the corner had their first swarm yesterday, and they have no protection plan. They are now discovering extensive damage.  I wonder if your readers have noticed the increase on commercial advertising from termite companies and the increase in special features about termites on local news stations.  The problem has evidently reached epidemic proportions.  I don’t know what we are going to do to save our home.  My wife and I are trying to approach this problem logically, but we are very close to desperation at this point.

Maryland - 4/01. I have had the Terminix annual program for several years and have had termites ever since.  They re-treat every year, and the termites return every year. Are they feeding these things?

New York - 4/01. My mom encountered a problem today with Terminix that has both she and me quite upset. She had a contract for more than five years, and the termites have only become worse.  Today, I was informed by their senior inspector that the structural support of her home is damaged and that both stoops have to be removed, dug, trenched, rebuilt. In addition, the house may have to be “jacked up” with the floor joists and beam replaced.  Mom is 87 years old, and you can only imagine what this is doing to her.

I have been told they are basically self insured as Reliance Insurance dropped them due to excessive claims and North American picked them up but their deductible is so high it is almost like being self insured.  I’m hoping we can resolve this amongst ourselves; but after reading your site, I’m not quite sure.

North Carolina - 4/01. Terminix made a false report that cost me time, money, and delays of home loan closing.

California - 4/01. Thank you for your informative web site. Unfortunately, I read it after I have been defrauded by Terminix!  BUT, I am not finished with them and their lies and intend to report them to the authorities in the state of California.  My problem is the result of the misleading tactics of the San Diego, California, Terminix office used to trick me into signing a contract for subterranean termites.  They offered a discount coupon, then charged me a different amount and will not return phone calls OR letters asking the San Diego office manager for his assistance to clear up the matter.  I figure that since these are franchise offices, all the people in this office are dishonest and have a scam!  It is outrageous that this company can keep getting away with unethical business practices.

Update:  I received a telephone call today from the San Diego, California, office of Terminix honoring their coupon and discount.  They stated they will make good the discount coupon and I do not owe them anymore money.  Coincidentally, I had e-mailed you today stating the scope of the problem I was having.  If anything further transpires, I will keep you abreast.

Florida - 4/01. I was under contract for drywood termites with Terminix. As soon as they find out I have termites, they have all these excuses not to tent the house.  Then they raise my renewal from $75 a year to $120 a year!!  I will never use their services.  As soon as you need them, they are full of excuses!!

Indiana - 4/01. I currently have a protection contract with Terminix.  I believe they have been handling my service negligently. After termites had repeatedly returned (or maybe never left), Terminix installed Sentricon stations around my house. I have come to the conclusion, after checking up on their inspection, that they aren’t even correctly checking these stations.

Tennessee - 4/01  I too am currently having problems with Terminix termite service.

Connecticut - 4/01. I have been paying for a service contract for 10 years.  For the last four years (and today), I have had swarms.  They keep saying you can’t tell if you get rid of them until the following year and see if they swarm.  Terminix was here a couple of weeks ago for an inspection.  They tried to talk me into Sentricon for an additional $1,700. I have a service plan that says they will provide the necessary service to protect my property. What can be done about this?

(Web mistress note:  To answer his question, I contacted an attorney and was given advice, which I then relayed to him.  The attorney’s advice is provided on the Help page.)

Updates:

• Terminix is supposed to come Saturday. They have said this before and not shown up.
  Well, Terminix did it again. I waited all day Saturday for them to show up for the scheduled appointment. No one showed up and no one called.  I called the Terminix number, and they said they will contact the branch manager and have him call me.
• I have been contacted by a couple of people because of your help.  Terminix is supposed to be coming Monday afternoon.  I’ll let you know what happens.
• It’s three days after Terminix was supposed to be at my house; and after I called and complained, I haven’t heard from them yet. I called again today and complained. I have been advised to get another company to treat the termite problem.  What am I supposed to do -- pay some company $1,000 and then a contract fee of $125 a year and still see swarmers every year? Then I wasted another $1,000.
• Terminix said they would call me Friday to tell me what time they would be at my home Saturday (5/5/01). They didn't call so I called them. I was told an employee quit that day and they couldn't meet their commitment to come Saturday.  Now Glen Neuman (manager) says he will come Wednesday 5/9/01 with an employee to drill and retreat. Would you like to bet on it?

Ohio - 4/01. Trying for 14 months to get their attention to termite colonies active in basement.  I have had “contract” for decades. After four attempts to get their attention, they sent an inspector and they sprayed once. They continually try to upsell other services. They have a revolving door at manager level. They break appointments. They did not send the carpenter as promised. I waited for three months with repeated calls to them.  Then I had it done myself.  I requested payment, sending the bill.  They have not paid for four months and now want a more detailed itemization.  I highly recommend consumers carefully evaluate the options and find alternatives to Terminix.

Texas - 4/01. I wrote and terminated my Terminix service last September, 2000, and hired another company. Terminix is still coming out every two months and billing me.  I keep calling and telling them to quit.  I’m being double-dosed around my house with chemicals!! I can’t seem to get them to realize that I fired them!!  In my letter, I cited my dissatisfaction with their service, saying that I realized they valued me no more than the bugs I hired them to kill!!

Ohio - 4/01. 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.