California - 8/01. Here is our Terminix Story... a Test of Patience, to say the least!  We have been customers with Terminix for over a year now. During this time, I continued to make excuses why we still had ants, why we were still running into black widows, etc. I just thought the bugs would be gone in time. Then, I asked the tech if they did any mold testing. Sure, he sent out another guy (apparently a salesman), and he completely ignored the mold problem we thought we were having and ended up selling us the baiting system for $1300.00!  He told us all the debris under our home would be removed and they would catch the "alleged termites." That happened in November.  Our family continued getting sick, so we ordered new windows, thought that the seals in the windows being cracked and water getting in could be the problem. The contractor said you have severe MOLD and dry rot. At that point, I called Terminix, which was in Jan 01, and requested they remove the baiting system and we wanted our money back. I spoke with Joe, I spoke with Josh, Kevin, Chuck, Bill, Wanda two ladies at Service Master, etc. Nobody called me back, nobody came to get these little green money makers. The service tech came out and didn't always check every station and would leave an invoice. He was never nice, often rude; and I had requested a phone call prior to arriving at my home as I have a dog and I couldn't guarantee their safety. That request was also ignored.  I soon found out that our home had a huge mold problem and the damages were over $12,000, not including health damages. Again, calling Terminix to explain my situation as well as ServiceMaster and again, my concerns being ignored. So, because of all the home repairs, I stopped paying the bill and have been threatened to be turned into collections. Terminix's story has changed so many times that I cannot keep track. First, they did NOT remove the debris from under our home, we did. They have not found any activity in their little green money makers, they have not done any return visits for reoccurring ants, they increased their charge by $1.00 and stated the fee would go back down after gas prices went down and gas prices dropped months ago, but, their $1.00 gas charge is still in affect.

Their agreement states, MONEY BACK GUARANTEE if you're not satisfied no questions asked. Hmm, when does this happen? After they ruin your credit? Pull more termites from their pockets? I just want them to go away, give me back my money, remove their little green money makers and leave me alone. They are more pesty than the ants they bring in!

I had QA and the manager out here yesterday and I asked, what is the reason for your visit, all I want is a refund; they stated, to discuss the matter. When they left, they said, we cannot give you a decision today but we will call you later. Of course, no call, wouldn't expect anything different.. these people have proven to me they do not have any integrity. Today they called and said, you pay us $430.00 and we won't turn you into collections. We did everything we said we would do in the agreement and we aren't in the wrong.  My husband is going to talk with them tomorrow as I have had enough!  If we don't get resolution, I am not only going to the attorney general, the better business bureau, whoever else may help, I am also contacting 7 On Your Side and NBC Dateline*. Enough is enough. I don't care how much money they have in their pocket; it is time that Terminix be held accountable for what they are doing to the customers. After all, they are supposed to be professionals, good at their job; and we are supposed to be able to trust them.  People that live their lives out of integrity are creating a world of dishonesty and a lack of trust. That isn't any way that I choose to live my life.  I think I am going back to using 7 for my ants and baby powder for the inside.

Thank you to all of those who have the courage to come forward ad share your experience. It is we the people who can make a difference. We just have to stand together!

Web mistress note: As shown at TE6-68, Dateline already has a wealth of horrendous information they've chosen to sit on; but what the heck. Give it a try!

Virginia - 8/01. I have called them, and they keep appointments and give me good service. I initially called them to get rid of rats in my home. I live near the water, and the wharf rats were eating my home up. The most they did was to place rat traps and glue traps in my attic and crawl space. One was so big that he carried the glue traps (2) through the walls and out into my backyard where my dog was chewing the glue trap the next day. They caught two in their traps; and every day and night, I was tormented by the gnawing and wood falling inside my walls.  I went to Lowes and bought several packages of the rat and mice bars, and it worked within 3 days. I was taking these 8-12 inch creatures to the trash can. They would not use chemicals, now I understand why.  They do a great job on ants and bugs, but I feel like it is a lot of money for what I could have done for myself.  Now I am in a contract and I have to pay for something I ended up taking care of myself.  I wish I had surfed this web site before I signed the dotted line.

Oklahoma - 7/01. I was looking for a way to contact Terminix when I came upon your site.  I was trying to contact them with a complaint because they pulled the same “no fault of Terminix” stuff on me.  I was also out and out lied to on the phone when I had proof of the truth in writing sitting right in front of me.  I didn’t realize I was one of a long line of victims. I e-mailed Terminix to tell them I nor anyone I can influence will ever use their services again!!

Illinois - 7/01. Our complaints don’t measure up to the nightmares of others... but after two $600 bare-floor renovations in the past seven years and after discovering your web site, we’re willing to spend $100 [in Small Claims Court] to at least try to get some of that money back. We TOLD them about the previous problems and pointed it out to the annual inspection person, but it still happened a second time.

Florida - 7/01. We recently purchased a house that had been bonded since 1986 with The Big “T” Scam Artists.  The woman who owned the house before had a bond and paid the thieves every year to keep her bond. The creeps were even the ones to treat the soil before construction began. We bought the house and discovered live infestation and years of damage under the trim and down the walls in the garage. I can’t believe they would come every year and give the house a clean bill of health. Bunch of rip-off artists. The whole business is a joke.  I was told by their little tech boy that the bond was nontransferable and there was nothing I could do, but he could work me a deal on this baiting system.  What a crock! $1600 plus $350 a year.  I know the termites are not going to leave filet mignon (your house) to climb up a stake of scrap lumber.  Come on, even the inventor of the baiting system in Florida says the system has only 20% rate of efficiency, plus it takes 3-6 years to eliminate a colony. What are the termites doing in the meantime?!  Chowing down on your timbers! Terminix has a little clause in that policy that they are not responsible for damage done until colony elimination is achieved.  You are their Guinea pig to see if these baiting systems work.  Well, our solution is, we replaced all damaged walls and garage door frame with pressure treated; and then we will treat the timbers with Timbor.  I will then suit up and dig a trench around the whole house and pour permetherin diluted with water 4 gallons per each 10 feet.  I will cover 200 linear square feet. I will have no bond, but I will have peace of mind the job was done right. Bonds are useless and are written to protect the company.  If they didn’t, they would be out of business!! This is exactly what the little tech boy said, and you can imagine what I said to him...

California - 7/01. Property treated in San Jose, October 27, 2000.  Terminix “kicked” two large holes in roof. Did not inform me. Storm in February 2001, began raining inside house.  As of July 6, 2001, Terminix has not reimbursed me for damages.

New York - 7/01. Not a satisfied customer of Terminix.  Missed appointments, false reports left at site, manager appointment not kept, stations not replaced after yard work, etc.

California - 7/01. “Cc” of letter sent to tmx2159@terminix.com:

There have been several communications regarding cancellation of the service.  However, I still keep getting the bill for monthly charges.  I do not owe any money to Terminix.  If you do not stop sending the bills, I will be forced to take legal action.

Florida - 7/01. I have been battling with Terminix of the Sarasota/Bradenton area since December 9, 2000. My husband and I purchased our home in October 2000. Prior to the purchase, we had the home inspected by Morris Pest Control, who stated the home had active termites.  The previous owner had a Terminix service contract, which was passed on to us.  We had Terminix come to our home on December 9 to honor the service agreement. At that time, they said they had no argument about Morris’ findings, that all he needed to do was send out a supervisor to confirm the findings.  I made numerous phone calls to our local Terminix office.  They did finally send another service personnel to the home. He did another inspection, then said I should hear back from them within 7-10 business days to set up a date for tenting. Since then, I had made numerous phone calls; again, only to be told I need to speak to a different person each time and the person was unavailable at that time, they would need to return my calls.  Finally, after a few weeks, the receptionist made my appointment with no problems, only it was set for August 6, 2001. They said they could not get to me any quicker.  My husband and I had put an estimated $25,000 worth of remodeling into our newly purchased home, replacing structural wood that is now being attacked by these termites.  I went to the local office looking for answers as to why it is taking eight months to have the home tented.  All I got was an apology for it taking so long and that termites do not work that quickly.  I have since tried to reach a member of management above the termite department manager, with no returned phone calls.

Florida - 7/01. I have encountered a very lengthy and frustrating battle with Terminix concerning the termite bond on my home in Jacksonville. Terminix had the original termite bond for the entire Lake Mandarin Garden Homeowners Association when I purchased my home in March 1990.  After a couple of years, in actuality when they had reached their maximum deductible for all the damage in my patio home community, they canceled the bond and each individual homeowner was forced to purchase an individual termite bond (if they could even afford the expense of drilling and trenching their property). I selected Sampson to drill and trench for the initial individual bond.  After a couple of years, Sampson sold their business to Gene’s Pest Control; and then, in the last couple of years, Gene’s sold their termite bonds to Terminix, my worst fear and greatest nightmare.

When I received my renewal notice, I sent the invoice indicating that I wanted to charge the renewal amount to my credit card (VISA) and assumed that my bond continued.  When I found a suspicious area in the master bedroom under the window, I called for a reinspection, and damage was found by the technician. The technician retreated the area outside my bedroom window, and a contractor repaired the damage by replacing the entire baseboard under the window.  This was in the fall of 1999.  Shortly after that, I noticed dirt coming through the baseboard area at the front of the house in the second bedroom; and although damage was not identified, the technician retreated the area.  This occurred in January 2000. A service report was provided at the time of service without any indication my coverage was in jeopardy.  I feel this was very deceitful and underhanded.

In July 2000, just six months after the last treatment, I called to schedule my annual inspection. At that time, I was told I was not in the system. Upon further investigation, I was told I had been dropped from the computer. It seems my credit card had not been charged, and their argument was that I did not respond to termination correspondence allegedly sent to me that I never received. After countless calls, including calls to the headquarters in Memphis, Dean Melvin (Regional Manager) in a very rude and condescending tone, told me my bond had been canceled due to nonpayment, and Terminix would not re-instate it and I could have my attorney call him.

I called the Better Business Bureau and filed a grievance regarding the unsatisfactory situation, and an investigation was conducted by the Department of Agriculture. I received a follow-up letter in January 2001 that reported their findings and suggested to Terminix that to satisfy my claim against them for falsely terminating my bond that I had proposed to pay the previous year and the current year premium to re-instate my replacement bond.  Again, Terminix, more specifically Dean Mevin, refused to re-instate my bond and instead, without my consent, had a gentleman named Larry measure my home and call me with a price of $1,300+ to install the Sentricon system. I consider that Terminix targeted me for cancellation because the liability for termite damage in the Lake Mandarin Garden community was an issue they wanted out of.