Jesus Sanchez Garcia is a senior writer for USA TODAY Homefront. His expertise focuses on home warranties, with over 50 hours spent reviewing provider sample contracts to understand their benefits. He also regularly performs consumer research, such as surveys and customer interviews with an eye on incorporating data into his writing. Jesus has a bachelor’s in business administration from California State University, Stanislaus, and is still located within California’s vibrant Central Valley. When he is not researching or writing, he enjoys supporting his favorite sports teams, spending time with loved ones and chasing new adventures outdoors.
Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The table below highlights key factors you should consider when shopping for a pest control company.
Terminix provides single pest treatments, two pest plans, three termite control plans and an array of additional services. Below is an overview of each.
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:
The Pestfree365+ Plan treats for every pest listed above plus the following specialty pests:
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.
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:
Terminix provides several specialty pest control and home improvement services in addition to its standard pest and termite plans. These services include the following:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Few pest control companies feature pest and termite control as comprehensive as Orkin’s. The company is one of the longest-serving pest control providers and has built a reputation as an industry leader. It offers standard pest control services, such as bed bug and cockroach removal, alongside specialized services, including attic insulation. However, you’ll pay a…
Bats are misunderstood — if you spot one near your house you might wonder how to get rid of bats pronto. Lacking the movie star allure of sharks or the cuteness of bears and raccoons, they are generally regarded with fear and distaste. But bats are pretty amazing creatures. According to Bat Conservation International, bats…
Your kitchen is where you enjoy meals and sip your morning cup of joe — it’s not a dining hall for ants. But these resourceful little pests love a good snack as much as you do. That’s why it’s not too far-fetched that crumbs could lead to ant infestation. So how do you get rid…
Spotting a trail of large black carpenter ants will give anyone the creepy crawlies. But the Camponotus genus, known for several species of carpenter ants, is not only pesky, it can wreak havoc on your house — and your bank account. Carpenter ants excavate extensive galleries, or burrows, inside wood. This is why you want…