Pest Control

Terminix review 2024

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Terminix is a leading pest control company that specializes in treating termites. The company stands out due to its generous list of treatments for common household pests and its tenure in the industry. In addition, Terminix charges affordable rates if you sign up for a pest control program.

Our team researched and rated Terminix using our proprietary methodology to see if the company fits our criteria for the best pest control companies. Terminix is our top pest control choice.

Terminix provides comprehensive pest control plans at an affordable rate.
Pros
  • Has comprehensive service and reservice guarantees
  • Offers up to five general and specialty plans for 25+ common pests
  • Provides free termite inspections
Cons
  • Doesn’t provide pricing for specialty pest treatments online
  • Excludes treatments for flies and lawn grubs
  • Holds unfavorable customer ratings on BBB

Our thoughts on Terminix

Using our review standards, we scored Terminix 4.8 out of 5 stars, which makes it our most recommended provider. It scored highly in our Safety and Certifications subcategory since it has GreenPro and QualityPro certifications.

Terminix dropped points for lower-than-average consumer ratings and for lacking coverage for some common pests.

What we like

Terminix provides various options to tackle your pest infestation. It offers three termite protection plans, two general pest control plans and single treatments for more than 25 common pests. Alongside its comprehensive pest services, Terminix offers additional home improvement services such as crawl space services and attic insulation installation.

Through our secret shopping, we found that Terminix has an online chat tool that connects you to a live representative. We used the tool to ask questions about Terminix’s services and guarantees. The representative who chatted with us answered our questions without using persistent sales tactics.

Its service guarantee is one of the most comprehensive guarantees compared with the other companies we’ve reviewed. According to the representative, Terminix extends a service guarantee of up to 90 days for its annual pest program customers. For single-service customers and annual termite control customers, Terminix provides a 30-day guarantee.

What we don’t like

During our secret shopping process, we discovered that Terminix doesn’t treat several common household pests, such as house flies. However, Terminix makes up for the lack of fly treatments by offering solutions for many uncommon pests, such as bats and armadillos.

Terminix doesn’t cover as many states as Orkin, one of the other top pest control companies we’ve reviewed. Terminix excludes Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Vermont. In addition, the company requires an in-home inspection before disclosing pricing for its specialty pest control services.

Compare top pest control companies

The table below highlights key factors you should consider when shopping for a pest control company.

Provider Our Rating BBB Rating Average Cost Number of Services Get Started
4.8
A+ $261 34 Check Price
4.7
A+ $256 25 Check Price
4.3
A+ $177 31 Check Price
3.2
B $130 12 Check Price
Provider Our Rating BBB Rating Average Cost Number of Services Get Started
4.8
A+ $261 34 Check Price
4.7
A+ $256 25 Check Price
4.3
A+ $177 31 Check Price
3.2
B $130 12 Check Price
The pricing information shown is from our February 2024 survey of 1,000 homeowners who experienced a pest problem within the last two years and purchased a single service with these brands. Prices are averages by brand.

Terminix pest control plans and services

Terminix provides single pest treatments, two pest plans, three termite control plans and an array of additional services. Below is an overview of each.

General pest control plans

The Pestfree365 plans are Terminix’s annual general pest management programs. According to the Terminix representative, the company’s treatment plans can vary by geographic location. We used a Northern California address for our quote.

Based on our quote, Terminix offered two versions: the Pestfree365 Plan, which covers up to 25 common pests, and the Pestfree365+ Plan, which adds protection for 14 additional pests. Each plan comes with an in-depth multipoint pest inspection.

Here is the list of pests Terminix protects against under its Pest365 Plan:

  • Ants
  • Bird mites
  • Carpet beetles
  • Centipedes
  • Clover mites
  • Cockroaches
  • Crickets
  • Earwigs
  • Fabric moths
  • Firebrats
  • Ground beetles
  • Indoor ticks
  • Mice
  • Millipedes
  • Overwintering
    insects
  • Pillbugs
  • Psocids
  • Rats
  • Scorpions
  • Silverfish
  • Sowbugs
  • Spiders
  • Springtails
  • Stored product
    beetles and moths
  • Wasps

The Pestfree365+ Plan treats for every pest listed above plus the following specialty pests:

  • Bald-faced hornets
  • Bed bugs
  • Black widow
    spiders
  • Brown recluse
    spiders
  • Bumblebees
  • Carpenter ants
  • Carpenter bees
  • Crazy ants
  • Fire ants
  • Fleas (interior only)
  • Hornets
  • Solitary bees
  • Voles (interior only)
  • Yellow jackets

Alongside offering pest control programs, Terminix provides specialized treatments for many individual pests that it includes in the Pestfree365 plans. The other specialty pest services are for termites and wildlife management.

Termite control plans

Terminix has separate protection plans for termites. Like other pest control companies we’ve reviewed, Terminix needs to inspect your home and verify the extent of termite activity before disclosing pricing for its termite control plans. 

Here is an overview of Terminix’s termite plans:

  • Termite + Retreat Guarantee: This plan includes an annual inspection for termite damage, Terminix’s OnGuard Termite Protection System and its Nix Termite Guarantee. The Nix Termite Guarantee is a reservice guarantee that termites won’t reappear in between visits. If they do, Terminix will treat your home again free of charge.
  • Termite + Repair Guarantee: This plan includes all the services listed in the Termite Retreat program plus the more comprehensive Nix and Fix Termite Guarantee, which stipulates that Terminix will repair up to $250,000 of termite damage that occurs during the plan term.
  • Termite + Repair Guarantee + Pest: This plan has every service listed in the Termite + Repair Guarantee and adds protection for the following 13 common pests: cockroaches, mice, rats, silverfish, ants, clothes moths, spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, earwigs, crickets and paper wasps.

Additional services

Terminix provides several specialty pest control and home improvement services in addition to its standard pest and termite plans. These services include the following:

  • Attic insulation: Terminix installs insulation and repairs any cracks or entry points found around your attic to reduce energy costs and pest entry. The insulation is toxic to certain pests.
  • Crawl space: Terminix provides various crawl space services to help reduce moisture and mold growth around your home’s foundation. Services include vapor barriers, encapsulation and floor supports.
  • Gutter protection: Terminix technicians inspect your home’s gutters and provide a custom solution to help reduce debris buildup, leaks and pest infestations.
  • Rodent control: Terminix employs several exclusion services to remove a rodent problem, such as sealing holes and placing rodent traps around your home.
  • Wildlife removal: Wildlife removal is slightly more involved. Terminix will inspect your home, find your issue and set up bait stations and traps to capture and safely remove the wildlife intruder.

Quotes and pricing

Through our secret shopping, we obtained pricing information for Terminix’s general pest control plans. For our quote, we used a 1,652-square-foot, single-family home in Sacramento, California, with a 7,000-square-foot lot size. However, Terminix wouldn’t provide cost information for its specialty pest treatments online. You must schedule an inspection first.

The table below contains prices for Terminix’s general pest control plans and a single service treatment, based on our quote.

Plan NameCost (Per Month)
Pestfree365$50
Pestfree365 +$60
Single treatment$266

We also obtained the average cost of a Terminix annual plan and single service through our February 2024 survey. The survey pricing data differs widely due to many factors, such as the respondent’s geographical location, lot size, chosen pest service and pest issue severity. The averages are listed below.

Service TypeAverage Cost
Annual service plan$576
Single treatment$261

Customer thoughts

Terminix holds an A+ rating and a rating of 1.1 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This discrepancy is due to customers using BBB to file complaints about the company. Other pest control companies we’ve reviewed have similar negative customer reviews on BBB. However, we found that Terminix responds to every complaint in an attempt to find a resolution.

Many complaints center on Terminix’s ineffective treatments for certain pests. We aimed to verify these customer sentiments with our February 2024 survey. But of the 92 homeowners who said they hired Terminix, 90 reported that the company successfully eliminated their pest problem.

Additionally, local Terminix branches have mostly positive ratings on Google Reviews. Most branches we checked in Northern California have at least 4.2 out of 5 stars. Customers reported that Terminix’s technicians were helpful and professional. A review from Dan G. mentioned that his Terminix technician acknowledged his pet and gate concerns while they serviced his home.

What should you expect from Terminix’s pest control service?

Once you sign up for a Terminix plan or single service, the company performs various steps throughout the treatment process. We utilized Terminix’s online chat tool to ask a representative about the stages of their service process. Below is an overview of each stage.

Before service

First, a Terminix pest control technician will schedule a free inspection of your home to determine your pest problem’s root cause. Depending on your pest issue, Terminix will first send a preparation sheet that provides instructions on preparing for a future service visit. You must be present for the initial service visit.

During service

Once the technician arrives, they’ll speak to you and give an overview of what treatments they’ll apply. After reviewing their treatment application with you, the Terminix technician will get to work. The customer service representative we spoke with mentioned that you don’t have to leave your home while the technician applies treatment. However, he did mention that it varies based on your pest issue and its severity.

After service

Once the Terminix technician finishes a service, they will provide you with a treatment recap and instructions on preparing your home for an additional service, if needed. The technician will email you an invoice if you purchased a single treatment.

Service guarantee

The Pestfree365 and termite control plans include a satisfaction guarantee — Terminix will reservice your home should pests or termites return between service visits.

Terminix provides different Nix Pest Guarantees based on the pest treatment you purchased. For example, the Pestfree365 plans include a 90-day reservice guarantee, while its termite plans feature a termite damage guarantee. The Pestfree365 plans won’t cover the cost of repairing damage caused by any of the pests.

Terminix’s termite control plans and single services also include its standard Nix Pest Guarantee, although its length is 30 days between visits, rather than 90 days.

Does Terminix have a cancellation policy?

According to the Terminix representative, Terminix does have a cancellation policy for its annual pest and termite plans. You can cancel at any time, and there is no cancellation fee, but you must call your local Terminix branch and notify them of your cancellation. 

If Terminix enrolled you in its autopay program, you must send a written notice to Terminix with your policy information to stop further charges.

Final take: Terminix is the best pest control company due to its affordability and extensive pest treatments

Terminix is the best pest control company due to its budget-friendly prices, flexible pest plans and focused approach to customer satisfaction. Their website also features an extensive library of pest information, as well as a convenient chat tool should you have additional questions. However, Terminix isn’t available in all states and lacks coverage for some pests.

Before signing up with Terminix, we suggest requesting a quote from at least two additional pest control providers to compare services and treatment costs.

Our rating methodology for pest control companies

We researched pest control companies to help you choose the best brand for your budget and pest issues. The best pest control companies offer single and comprehensive treatment plans, are certified, hold solid customer ratings and are available nationwide.

We rated companies using our comprehensive methodology. We scored them out of 100 points on their treatment plans, safety, customer service and guarantees. We then divided their scores by 20 to arrive at the 5-star ratings you see in our recommendations.

BBB, Trustpilot and Google Reviews are accurate as of March 2024.

Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.

Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

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