These complaints against Terminix, a ServiceMaster subsidiary, are just some of those submitted to “Terminix - Consumer Alert!”  The information they contain is unverified. Judge for yourself if you believe them, as I do.

Customer Complaints

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 12/07.  I found termite damage in my home while taking up carpeting so that I could refinish my wood floors. I was absolutely horrified when I found the wood in my living room was so eaten away that it was reduced to chips. I immediately called Terminix and asked them to come out and check for termites. I was told by the service rep that the damage was old but I could file a claim with the service manager and see what happens.  That was almost two months ago and I can't even get the service manager to call me.  I've called numerous times and sent emails.  I have not had a visit or been able to file a claim.

I purchased my home in 1990 and sued Terminix then because of preexisting termite damage that they had overlooked during the initial inspection. From that point on I have kept a contract with Terminix.  The damage found recently was not there when I moved in the house so my feeling is that it should be covered under my contract.  I also looked back as far as 2003 and noticed that they have listed that they serviced my home but they never came in to inspect.  They only came in this year (2007) at my request. I think that a class-action suit should be filed against Terminix if they don't start honoring their contracts.


Wichita, Kansas - 11/07.  I had the baiting system for 7 years; and this fall I received a letter informing me of a new plan and I would still get the same guarantee that I had with my baiting system.  They can say whatever they want but I was lied to by the representative that came to my house. Because I live in a duplex, I am not eligible for the same guarantee.  Why wasn't this explained to me 7 years ago when I had the baiting system installed? It didn't seem to be a problem then!  I've asked them to come out numerous times to inspect things and no one ever showed up. I'm sick of it....


California - 11/07.  They are charging me for service not received!


Danville, Indiana - 11/07.  After having continued service with Terminix since 1993, I started having reoccurring problems with termites for the last four years. We discovered structural damage from the termites and notified the local branch manager. He met with my contractor and me and an agreement was made to repair and replace the damage, and that the cost would be covered by Terminix.  This was  agreed to by Jim Cahill, of the Indianapolis branch, 5595 W. 74th 46268.  Invoice was submited for payment on September 24th, 2007.  As of this date, November 10, 2007, it has not been paid, although Jim Cahill has  repeatedly told me that this would be paid.


Florida - 11/07.  I'm in the process of suing Terminix (arbitration actually) because after installing the Sentricon system and coming to my house over 3 times to inspect (per my request since I had swarmers) and denying any termite activity, my home now needs to be completely gutted due to the severe damage from subterranean termites.  Part of my ceiling collapsed and the remainder of the roof is in jeopardy of falling.


California - 9/07. I have dealt with Terminix for the last time . I have been through three “set” appointments for someone to just come out and see if I have termites All have resulted in no shows.  The first time it happened I had to leave work early for this appointment, figuring the termite guy would be there somewhat on time.  Ha ha.  Yeah right!  It got to be 7:15 at night, and I finally called the 1-800 terminix number.  The operator on the phone got ahold of the person supposedly on his way, and of course, due to some lame circumstance I had to reschedule.  So for the next one I stayed home from work, again, only to have this person not show up, again.  I was so mad.  I can’t believe I went through it again and set another appointment -- silly me, I thought it was a responsible business.  Guess not.  So, the guy finally shows for the third appointment, then tells me yes I have the termites, and I need to fumigate.  He told me it would be cost $1350 and this was a “real deal.”  Well, when I finally reluctantly called back to tell them let’s go ahead and tent my house, I learned the man that came to our house had quit and now I will need someone else to come out and do another inspection.  Oh stars and horses!!  This was getting really old.  So I set up another appointment - yes I am embarrassed to say -- and this was for yesterday morning.  I had to take off work again.  I’m not made of money so this was a big deal for me.  I was told he would show up between 9 and 11.  I had even called the operator on the 1-800 number the night before to make sure he would be there.  9:00 came and went.  So did 10:00.  Finally at 11:05 I called and was ready to raise some heck, and I was put on hold.  The operator magically put me through to the guy that was supposedly coming to my house 2 hours ago and he informed me there was a meeting that morning and he couldn’t make it.  I have had it with Terminix.  There is no way I’m going to fork over a thousand dollars plus for them to not show up.  OVER IT!!!!  Thanks for the warnings on this site, and I hope others take my experiences into consideration too -- good luck everyone!!


Georgia - 9/07. Hello, I moved into a new house in 06/06 and got pest control right away because this area used to be a forest and bugs were everywhere. The company I got was called Mayday pest control.  I had no problem with their service and they came right away when I called for action between inspections. However, in July of 07 Terminix bought out my company and began service on my house. They came out and treated my house on my appointed quarterly inspection. But since then I have had a major problem with earwigs and crickets and other bugs in my basement. I called and was told I would get a call back shortly for an appointment.  I waited a week and no call, so I called again. Another week goes by, and I call again.  By this time the bugs are taking over the basement and I am having to buy stuff at the local store to kill them. Another week goes by and by this time I am extremely fed up. I demand an appointment be made, and got it. However, on the day of the appointment it was a no show! I have since contacted Terminix through their website and demanded a refund and cancellation of services.  But as of yet, I have not gotten any response. If I receive a bill, I will contest it.


Macon, Georgia - 9/07. I was customer of Terminix for over 5 years.  However, I had an unsatisfactory experience prior to my service being terminated.  I was told that it was Terminix’s policy to treat the outside of the house and not come inside unless the customer called with a problem.  I did not subscribe for the purpose of treating the outside of my home.  Therefore, I notified the customer service representative several times that I preferred to be contacted prior to the service technician coming to my house because I wanted the inside treated periodically.  The technician continues to come to my house without notifying me.  My request was totally disregarded. There were no concerns whatsoever about  my request and to this day I am unsure if that technician actually provided  service.  Nonetheless, I continue to pay the bill.  I finally decided I had had enough and I decided that I would not pay the bill because I was not receiving the service I was paying for.  I had no other  recourse! After not paying the bill, I was contacted endless times regarding payment. It was the type of tenacity that could have served well before my service was terminated.


Augusta, Kansas - 8/07. I've been duped by Terminix, and everything I have read on this site pretty much details what has happened to me since I had started using their services in 2003.  Their service is sporadic, and their guarantee is filled with so many loopholes that it is virtually nonexistant.  If anyone knows of a class action lawsuit being filed against them please let me know. Dealing with these people is more than anyone should have to go through in a lifetime.  Thank you for a wonderful site that truthfully gets the message out to the consumer. I only wish I had seen it before I signed with them.


Birmingham, Alabama - 8/07. I had a pest control contract where I would be billed but never observed the tech performing.  I would be billed but not serviced.


Wasco, California - 8/07. Signed a contract; after their professional inspection of my home, citing that it was overrun with active grown termites.  They used a "tent" to cover my home, and I was forced out for at least 2 days.  This occurred Feb 2007 and it has now been 4 months.  I have these very small insects invading my home. I have called them in the local area of Bakersfield, CA, which they did come out and inspect, citing that they could not see the "insect" that has overrun my home.  I even had my niece in Los Angeles contact their "call center in Memphis, TN," and they have the record that I am contracted with them for bugs, insects, and termites for the next year. Still they have not made any contact with me directly or indirectly.  I have called another local company in Kern County, well known, and they have taken the advice of Terminix not to come out to my home.  This is a serious neglect of my money and their duty to comply with the "contract" to complete any request for the next year. Being an 84 year old male and have been in my home for over 60 years, there has to be something done with the inept, mindless business that this company is ripping home-owners off with not completing the contract that they have at hand.  What can I do?????

Customer Complaints 52