? - 10/98.  THANK YOU for putting together such an informative site.  I wish I had seen it before I hired Terminix to get rid of termites in our house.  I have been calling them for a month to get some answers to my questions and have yet to get past the receptionist. Not one call has been returned. They were very quick to inspect our home and sign us up, but they have chosen to totally ignore my requests for information ever since. After reading the information on your site, I realize my problems are minuscule by comparison!  I will do my best to discourage people from doing business with this company.

Ohio 10/98).  My mother bought her house 6 years ago; and for the first 3 1/2 years, Terminix treated it.  Each year, the termites returned until finally we had to do major reconstruction to the house. She is currently in the arbitration stage, and today Terminix brought their inspector, company officials, and lawyers through the house.  The 90-day arbitration period will be up within 30 days, and we are trying to prepare for what they may attempt.

Connecticut 10/98.   I currently have a very big issue with Terminix involving a treatment they performed back in 1996.  Because it is in litigation, I cannot go into the details.  The reason for this is a hope of finding people who are currently being forced into resolving their disputes with Terminix through binding arbitration. The NY Times is preparing an article that is centered on my situation but is hoping to talk to others about their experiences with Terminix relating to arbitration.

Update - 3/99. Terminix’s motion to force binding arbitration was denied by the District Court in Connecticut. Terminix has appealed to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City.  The State of Connecticut has moved to revoke the licenses at three of Terminix’s Connecticut offices having found numerous violations during an investigation was prompted by this case.  Terminix is appealing the revocations. Hearings to decide the appeal began March 18, 1999.

Update - 2/00. In a 2-1 split decision, the US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit ruled in Terminix’s favor and remanded the case to be decided in arbitration.? - 9/98.  Terminix has treated my home for termites five times in five years. Unfortunately, I continue to incur structural damages as a result of its inability to properly treat the infestation. I feel it is the company's responsibility to pay for repairs at this point, although I have not asked yet, because I want to be as informed as I can when I do request payment. I have a beautiful old home that I have spent a great deal of time and money renovating and updating. It is traumatic to watch it being destroyed.

The following comments were submitted to “Terminix - Consumer Alert!” in September 1998; however, on the advice of the person’s attorney, I was asked not to post them until the issue was resolved.  It’s been over two years since I became aware of this case, and it is still not resolved in the courts. In the meantime, this person is struggling to continue with life, with medical and legal expenses, and with the case. We believe it’s time the public should be aware of it; and I urge anyone, especially anyone within the government or the media, to PLEASE do something... anything... to help her!

Georgia - 9/98. I am presently involved in a big lawsuit against Terminix for personal injuries due to Terminix’s negligence in a toxic waste dump they left behind when they moved their location, but their employees continued to dump. The normal American citizen does not have the knowledge to know what or if anything these exterminators have done to a person’s life. Terminix seems to get away with breaking the laws and no one cares.  I lost my job; I have lost everything I owned.  I cannot even get any financial help from the government yet, not even social security I was just denied; and forget about the state...

I suffer chronic fatigue, am chemically sensitive, suffer headaches when I go into certain stores, and have breathing problems. I have no control when I have to go to the restroom. I do not sleep at night or any time as far as that goes. My body is in constant pain. I have fibromyalgia. I have a liver that does not detoxify (this is where the problem began by being overloaded with toxic chemicals that I was breathing on an 8-9 hour shift at a job I had). I have short-term memory loss and a pain that sometimes is so severe I can only sit and cry. Normal doctors cannot diagnose a problem with someone exposed to toxic chemicals. Even the EPA has stated only an environmental/occupational doctor is qualified to do this; but because the insurance consider these licensed medical doctors, who are board certified and have years of experience, not worthy of making a diagnosis, I have to fight on a daily basis to survive. I am still trying to collect for claims filed last year...   Sometimes I wish I could just close my eyes and never wake up.  No one understands the pain I am in and the quality of life I have to live. If you know anyone who might help me pay for detoxification so that I can feel better -- I am almost out of money, and I have to pay cash and then get reimbursed by the insurance company which has taken up to over one year to repay me.

Update (9/00): I did not receive any social security until February 2000 after seeing all the social security doctors who agreed, and the judge agreed, that I could not work at all in the public because no one could guarantee me a safe environment whereby I would not be re-exposed to any of the chemicals that are already overloaded in my body. Currently, I am waiting to get the moneys to get detoxified.

My case went from State Court to Federal Court with no mention of status problems. Then, when we finally got to court and the judge was going over damages -- as soon as I sat down after testifying, Terminix’s attorney hit me and my attorney with this paper stating that because of an answer I gave in court that the statute had run out. Gee, after five years since the exposure and two different courts, this was decided for me. And, of course, given only 15 minutes to solve the problem gave my attorney not much time since she was not the original attorney.  We could not, at the time, reach the original attorney on the case who later verified that this was never a problem because I did not know until I hired him and the testing was completed on myself and on the chemicals taken by Kevin Badura (sub-lessor) of the Terminix building did the match become clear that it was the same chemicals in my body that were left carelessly behind by Terminix employees and management.  A manager of Terminix, when coming out the first time to clean up the mess they had left behind, guaranteed me that there was nothing harmful over in the back lot, even after I spoke my concerns to him about my feeling sick.  He said it was nothing. Nothing?!? Well, I lost a very good friend who worked with me by the name of Rolf Sommerkorn who experienced the same types of problems -- dizziness, headaches, having to go to the bathroom all the time, memory loss, confusion. It is my view Rolf Sommerkorn passed away from the exposure as, other than his stepson Bill Nolls testifying on behalf of his father as to what the doctors have stated that Rolf died of cancer of an undetermined cause, I believe I cannot clearly state other than it is my belief.

What a nightmare this has been.  My case is still in appeal thanks to our system.  My liver hurts like hell.  I still have uncontrollable bowel movements and have to go to the bathroom every 1-2 hours night and day. I stay very, very tired. My body aches all the time.  Medications help, but the damage is there and is not getting any better. I just pray when the time comes I will go swiftly and not have to suffer like my friend, Rolf Sommerkorn.

Web mistress Notes:  I thought a statute of limitations issue would be addressed as a pretrial motion -- not in the middle of a trial AFTER hearing the plaintiff's case presented in court!

? - 9/98.  I had a failure to provide service from Terminix today, followed by false statements like, "The technician is on his way," and "I'll call you back."  Out of frustration, I turned to the Internet, and walla! I found your web page. Thank you so much for being there. I intend to stop payment on my check and cancel service.  Terminix and I are off to a bad start; but thanks to you, I can end the business relationship before I really become damaged.

United Kingdom - 8/98.  Having had this company recommended by the estate agency dealing with my house purchase, I contacted them and had them install a diffusion silicone damp proof course. For 3/4 of a days work, I was charged £500 (I have yet to pay !!). On speaking to their 'technician' as to when he was going to fill in the substantial and numerous holes left after treatment, I was told that their company “doesn't do this type of work” and that it was up to me to fill in the holes myself after a 6-month drying out period.  Although I am reasonably proficient at DIY, I am annoyed this company takes no responsibility for reinstatement.  To me, this appears both unprofessional and penny pinching. Although I don't envisage going as far as court proceedings, I am certainly not in any rush to pay up.