Florida - 9/01. I inherited Terminix when my small, but effective, pest control contractor was acquired.  Since then, I’ve had a myriad of pest control problems, including rodents and termites. I am no expert, but I knew I had termites and repeatedly requested inspections.  These inspections were usually undertaken when I wasn’t at home, and the reports left behind indicated “no live infestation.”  My persistence finally paid when I showed the inspector areas of live infestation.  After paying for a service contract for 11 years, I thought I would finally get the service I had been paying for. The inspection was in June.  I now have an appointment for tenting in late November!

Webmistress suggestion:  For peace of mind, have a locally owned and operated company inspect your home after the tenting -- just in case there are still infestations or there are damages that need fixing per your pest control contract with Terminix.

Texas - 9/01. I have been with Terminix since Oct 1998 and my annual renewal is coming up ($302). I am VERY unhappy with their service:  not showing when scheduled, not treating areas timely or as agreed. It seems the only way I get results is to get on the phone and complain. I am tired of the hassle and in my case their treatments don't work.  I had activity again this summer inside my house by the front door. The warranty that I paid over $1800 for is a joke. I have now realized how difficult it will be to actually make a claim for damage repair.  I want enough of my initial $1800 refunded so that I can signup with a different company.  I do not trust Terminix anymore and would not recommend them to anyone.

Delaware - 9/01. I am also a Terminix customer who is experiencing no-shows for services. I have both a yearly pest contract and Sentricon stations installed. They do not service at all.  They are pestering me, because I am refusing to pay.

California - 9/01. Over a year ago, Terminix tented my five-unit apartment building and put about 10 “pots” in the ground around the building to control subterranean termite infestation. About two weeks after the tenting, one of my tenants complained about termites in her bathroom.  A Terminix representative came by and checked out the problem.  He stated the reason for that was because of what was supposedly occuring with the subterranean control effort. He promised that someone would work on the problem in the unit and that there would be adequate compensation. Three months have passed.  I have heard nothing from the company regarding that problem.

Terminix eagerly sends bills and reminders.  I spent over $5,000 for the tenting and the supposed subterranean infestation control.  I recently got a bill for the yearly $390 cost for the underground termite control. I called the local Terminix representative to complain that in the past year I have not had any reports on the progress of their efforts at controlling subterranean infestation.  I was told someone would contact me.  Two weeks have gone by and no one from Terminix has bothered to call or write. I am going to cancel the $39 monthly service that I have had for about 10 years. I will also cancel the annual $350 termite control program and the $390 yearly subterranean program.  This company and their service “sucks.”

Tennessee - 9/01. On April 15, 2001, I noticed termites swarming in my house.  I called Terminix who couldn’t get to me for 10 days.  When a technician did arrive, he found what he termed “severe infestation” in my basement in a corridor leading from the front of the house back (about 15 feet, judging from his gestures).  He said he saturated it with spray. I’ve had a consumer protection contract with Terminix in force continuously since I purchased the house in June 1992. I called Terminix out to see about getting the damages repaired.  To make a long story short, my calls were not returned for a period of time until I contacted the Terminix Cares web site. Then I did hear from someone at the branch who came out and told me that the sag in my floor was due to the house settling, that the current termite damage had already been repaired prior to my purchasing the house when old damages was repaired, and lastly that he didn’t think I even had termites.  I again contacted the Terminix Cares Customer Advocate who assured me she would be monitoring my complaint until it was resolved. This time, a “regional manager” was sent out who was very sympathetic. He examined the damage and told me not to worry, that he was sure we could work something out. He asked me for my inspection report when I purchased the house. I found it and faxed it to him. He said hje would be through with his report in two weeks. When I heard nothing by July, I started trying to get in touch with someone.  I have not been able to reach the “regional manager” because nobody seems to know which office he works out of.  I have e-mailed J. Merriam, the “Customer Advocate” three times, but I have received no response.

Pennsylvania - 9/01. Was informed we were to have a new Terminix service technician assigned. The following month, our regular tech was late.  He stated he had waited to meet the new service tech to show him how to get to our place.  New tech was a “no show.” The following month, our new tech phoned the  night before to confirm our regularly-scheduled treatment for the next morning. The next morning, we waited more than 45 minutes; and it was a “no show, now call.”  Arrived home from work and found a tag on the front door stating the outside had been treated and arrangements would be made to do the interior. Ten days later, the new service tech called to schedule catch-up service. Scheduled it for two days later. Two days later, we waited over 30 minutes after the scheduled time.  Another no show.  No note on the door this time.  Notified the region office of what transpired and stated that if this new service tech was not responsible enough to keep an appointment, they were not responsible enough to be handling and dispensing pesticides and other chemicals in and around my home. Office manager’s response was that he had no other service techs available but he would cut my rate!! I canceled my service with Terminix and went with another pest control company.

Pennsylvania - 8/01. Each year since some time in the early 80's I have been purchasing an agreement through Terminix.  In 95 I decided to finally redo the area in the basement that was damaged by termites. There was no sign of termites the entire time. This year in June 2001 I decided that I was going to redo that area. After taking down the wall, I discovered mud trails that looked just like the previous time but did not see any insects. I called Terminix out and I was told that the warranty would not cover any of the damage nor would they retreat because they saw no live activity; yet the wood that was put up in 1995 was new. The money that was paid every year was for nothing, and then they said they could treat it with Sentricon and it would cost me $1200 over the two years. I am not sure what to do next.

Kansas - 8/01. Wow!!! I'm so glad that I saw your site before this progressed any further. It is sites like yours that make the Internet such a valuable tool.  My complaint is nowhere near the scale of yours or many others on your site, but I would like to add my name to the list to help encourage others to not fall prey to Terminex. I called for pricing and was quoted $75 for one-time spraying (indoor & outdoor, including a basement & garage). $75? I'll take it. I scheduled service for 3 days later. The technician showed up right on time (about 30 minutes ago). He had a written agreement for 4 sprayings at the $75 rate ($300+/year), or an option for one spraying at $150. The tech was not the least bit surprised when I informed him that I was given different pricing on the phone. I was also a little shocked at the fact that he wanted to drill holes in the cabinets and baseboards of my house (which I rent, so therefore could not allow, even if I wanted to) for "baiting." The sales guy told me that the service was "spraying."  The technician was very understanding, informed me of some effective spraying methods that I could use with consumer available products. He then filled out a quick form and went on his way. I called the local number for Terminex to find the person who had sold me on the service (thinking that I was going to make a big noise and get my way). Of course, they were out (after noon on Saturday). So I called 1-800-Terminex.  I talked with a person there to file a complaint and ask that the office I originally spoke with (specifically the person I spoke with and their manager) contact me.  I took to the Net and found your site in the first :30 seconds.

I was originally hoping to force them to perform the service at the originally agreed upon price.  I'm not sure what my best course of action is for resolving this matter. I really don't want them to come to my house (at any price) after seeing your site. Upon resolution of my complaint (or not), I will be informing everyone I know about your site and not to use Terminix.

Florida - 8/01. I was billed for service not received. Treatment was to be for interior pests; specifically, silverfish.  Attendant arrived with no prior notice; I was not home. Says he treated the house and billed me $75. I have had three service attendants all answering to Jerry Graham who is the manager of Terminix in Maitland, Florida.  We reached an agreement to which I would pay half the treatment cost.  I have now received a bill for the balance due. I wish I had seen this site before I ever called them.

Florida - 8/01. I live in a condo in Seminole, Florida.  We have a contract with Terminix on a monthly basis. After living here almost four years, Terminix has discovered live termites in our building.  At a recent board meeting, a rep from Terminix informed us how we needed to be tented and fumigated by Terminix. Thinking we were in the hands of a very fine company gave us a feeling of security. On the day of tenting, a truck with a single word appeared -- Fumigation -- with the most unprofessional men who carried out this procedure.  Forty-eight hours later, a man from the same company said it was all right to re-enter our units.  We did and almost right away began experiencing tearing eyes, problems with breathing, burning skin, coughing, and so on. Now, here we are one week later using fans supplied by the truck marked “Fumigation.”  Now, please tell me where has Terminix been for the past week? We are:  1) sick; 2) desperate; 3) scared; 4) who did the job?

Florida - 8/01. You have possibly saved us from the “hell” you went through with this company. Let me begin by thanking you many many many times over!!!  After approximately 20 calls made today to every state agency available regarding a “clean” WDO on a home we just purchased July 31, 2001 (however let me note, we have been in the home only 8 days and find we are totally infested with live termites).... I finally made headway with an agency by the name of: Bureau of Entomology & Pest Control, phone number (850) 921-4177.  If someone in Florida has a problem such as ours, you can call this number, explain your problem, and they will put you in contact with a “Field Inspector” for the area in which you live.  I called today around 4:00 p.m., and I am happy to say the inspector will be at our home at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. I will update you if this does not help resolve our problems; however, from the conversation I had with the inspector, I feel confident that we have a very good and solid case against Terminix.

Update:  A representative “Inspector” came to our home and witnessed live termites and damage which was somehow missed on Terminix’s reports.  A Terminix supervisor, a contractor, and another representative of Terminix came to our home and admitted there is a problem, and they also saw the live termites. However, even though we were assured by the Terminix supervisor that the contractor would contact us today (which no call came in from anyone) or tomorrow, we are not holding our breath.  At no time, has Terminix suggested treating the house, which at this point is our main concern to stop the damage and then get the repairs as the repairs are not doing us any good if the termites are not taken care of.