Terminex Pest Control ..Bugged, Bullied & Ripped off

Most folks don't realize it, but exterminators are regulated by the state Department of Agriculture. While the efficacy of some bureaucracies are better than others, in most states you can file a complaint with the state Dept of Ag, and they will send out an investigator. You need merely allege that they did not make an application to your yard/home/shrubs/whatever. Usually the investigator will take samples and have a chemical analysis done to check for the pesticide they allegedly sprayed. If you get negative results on the test...well, there goes their bill. Plus they will be held criminally liable under administrative law - the state Dept of Ag investigator should follow things up on that end. How do I know this? I work in the pest control industry. I love the work, but our industry is plagued with poorly trained, underpaid employees and unscrupulous business owners and salesmen. Ask around...don't let anybody apply pesticides in or around your home if you don't feel safe with them! In most cases, it is safer just to put up with the bugs.

Good luck!

It sometimes is wise to NOT sign any paper work/contract from any company that is presented to you via a sales pitch at your door or until you have read it thoroughly.(Make them wait, if they are above board, they will)

Before securing any services, check with your states Structural Pest Control License Board to see if any complaints etc have been filed and/or reported to them.

Get a second opinion/bid from another pest company before making any financial descision regarding treatments. In California, the pest company MUST post a work completion tag at the job site when they apply chemicals and they MUST state the chemical and date of application. Hope some of this helps.