Terminix is one of the largest pest control companies in the U.S., founded in Memphis Tennessee after developing the first ever termiticide.Their revolutionary termite-eradicating formula allowed the company to be the first company to offer a termite protection contract with annual inspections and guarantee. They were also one of the first large-scale pest control companies to offer termite bait stations with their partnership with Dow AgroSciences.
However, size and years in business don’t automatically make for the most reliable pest control service. That’s why the USA TODAY team looks by analyzing customer reviews, service offerings, treatment effectiveness and more.
In this Terminix review guide, we inspect Terminix’s robust pest control services to help you decide if this really is one of the best pest control companies delivering value and results.
Is Terminix worth it?
Overall, we believe Terminix is well worth the money. The company consistently ranks among our top pest control providers and is our top pick for termite treatment, specifically.
Terminix costs an average of just $40 to $70 per month, handles most general pests plus more challenging pests, like termites and bedbugs, and it offers unlimited retreatments if your problem persists while your contract is active.
Terminix at a glance
Terminix was founded in 1927 and has since served over 2.9 million customers across the U.S. and Canada. It specializes in termite bait stations and was one of the first companies to implement the technology. It also tackles most other common household pests and offers integrated pest management solutions, making it a good option for general pest control, too.
The company operates in 45 states, excluding Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Vermont. It also serves Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and parts of Canada.
Services offered
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Terminix is best known for its termite bait stations that target termites on your property, but it also offers general pest control services. Here’s a list of all of the pests Terminix can handle:
- Ants (including carpenter ants)
- Bats
- Bedbugs
- Bird mites
- Birds
- Bumblebees
- Carpenter bees
- Carpet beetles
- Centipedes
- Clover mites
- Cockroaches
- Crickets
- Earwigs
- Firebrats
- Fleas
- Flies
- Ground bees
- Ground beetles
- Hornets
- Mice
- Millipedes
- Mosquitoes
- Moths
- Paper wasps
- Pillbugs
- Psocids
- Rats
- Rodents
- Scorpions
- Silverfish
- Spiders
- Springtails
- Stored product beetles
- Stored product moths
- Ticks
- Voles
- Wasps
- Yellow jackets
In addition to general and targeted pest control, Terminix offers some home services that can double as integrated pest management solutions:
- Crawl space moisture control: Terminix can encapsulate and ventilate your crawl space to reduce moisture build-up, which can help reduce the risk of pest infestation.
- Attic insulation: Terminix installs blown-in insulation in attics and crawl spaces, which boosts your home’s energy efficiency and is also treated to kill off pests that come in contact with the material.
- Gutter protection: Terminix installs gutter guards that keep leaves and other tree debris out of your gutters. These can help reduce the need for gutter cleaning, and it also removes potential hiding spots for ants and other insects.
- Proactive rodent exclusion: Terminix techs can seal the exterior of your home and cover up potential access points as a preventative measure for keeping rodents and other wildlife out.
Terminix plans and pricing
Terminix offers onetime treatments for general pest control, and it has two plan options for ongoing treatments known for better, longer-lasting results.
| Plan name | Cost* | Pests included | Details |
| Good Protection | $349.99 | General pest control | Single treatment |
| Better Protection | $44.99 per month | 25 common pests | Ongoing treatments |
| Best Protection | $74.99 per month | 39 common pests | Ongoing treatments |
*Note: Terminix’s pricing can vary by location, property size and more. This cost information is for an average-sized home in Easton, Pennsylvania. Get a quote for your home for accurate pricing.
In addition to these general pest control packages, Terminix also offers some more targeted treatment plans. Since some of these pests are more challenging to treat, Terminix doesn’t offer online pricing for any services that it needs to customize to your situation and property.
| Type of service | Cost* | Details |
| Termite control | Requires inspection for estimate | Includes unlimited services and covers up to $250,000 of new damage that occurs after treatment |
| Rodent control | Requires inspection for estimate | Covers rats, mice and squirrels |
| Mosquito control | $96.77 per month | Includes unlimited retreatment based on results |
| Tick control | $96.78 per month | Includes unlimited retreatment based on results |
| Mosquito and tick control | $131.11 per month | Includes unlimited retreatment based on results |
*Note: Terminix’s pricing can vary by location, property size and more. This cost information is for an average-sized home in Easton, Pennsylvania. Get a quote for your particular home for accurate pricing.
Effectiveness and treatment quality
Terminix is well-known in the pest control industry for safe and effective pest management services.
Terminix uses a combination of liquid treatments, termite bait stations, fumigation and a special treatment for Drywood termites called the Drywood Defend System.
“Termites can cause structural damage, and the treatment method matters,” says Bob Gilbert, certified entomologist with Blue Sky Pest Control in Arizona. “Some homes may be better suited for a baiting system, others for a liquid treatment, and some may require a more specialized approach.”
Countless Terminix customers have stated in reviews on sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) that the treatment and multifaceted approach work.
Guarantees and warranties
Terminix offers its “Terminix It Guarantee,” which promises unlimited free retreatments between scheduled services if your pest problem persists. The guarantee lasts as long as you remain under contract with Terminix, and it applies to general pest control, tick and mosquito treatments, rodent exclusion and termite plans.
No pest control company can actually guarantee that its services will eliminate pests in and around your home, so this kind of guarantee is the best you’ll get in the industrry.
“Homeowners should always get the warranty in writing and understand what is covered, what is excluded, and what they must do to keep the warranty valid,” says Gilbert.
Terminix pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Wide range of services and plans to choose from | Some issues with customer service and communication |
| Also offers home services and integrated pest management solutions | Service quality varies by branch |
| Strong customer satisfaction guarantee | Some treatments can be expensive |
Terminix vs competitors
Terminix is the best pest control company for termite control. It’s best known for its termite bait stations, which can be extremely effective as long-term solutions, and it offers retreatment guarantees, plus coverage for up to $250,000 in new damage if your termite problem persists.
However, we’d recommend Orkin over Terminix for general pest control, and there are other pest control companies you may want to consider that are more affordable than Terminix.
| Company | Best for | Pests treated | Average cost | Other services |
| Terminix | Termite control | All | $40-$70 per month | Attic insulation, crawl space sealing, rodent exclusion and gutter guards |
| Orkin | General pest control | All | $50–$80 per month | Attic insulation, moisture control, rodent exclusion and gutter guards |
| Aptive Pest Control | Eco-friendly pest control | Common household pests (no termites or bed bugs) | $50 per month | N/A |
| Viking Pest Control | Best service guarantee | All | $55 | Anticimex SMART rodent and pest monitoring systems |
Customer reviews and reputation
It’s always a good idea to look through both positive and negative reviews for a pest control company to get a sense of the quality of service you’ll receive. We read dozens of reviews on both ends of the spectrum to see what Terminix customers experience before, during and after service.
Positive Terminix reviews mention knowledgeable, courteous and professional technicians, high-quality service that gets the job done and overall great value for the money. Some reviewers specifically mention having been customers for multiple years and even decades, which is a good sign that that particular Terminix branch is treating customers well.
Like many national pest control chains, negative reviews are common for Terminix. Negative reviews mention poor communication and scheduling efforts, techs claiming they treated properties when they actually didn’t, aggressive sales tactics and some issues with deceptive marketing from individual salespeople.
“Reviews are important, but homeowners should read them with the pest in mind,” says Gilbert. “If you have termites, look for reviews that mention termite work. If you have bedbugs, look for bedbug reviews. A company may be excellent at general pest control but not be the right fit for every specialty pest.”
Who should use Terminix?
Terminix is the best pest control company for homeowners who have seen evidence of termite activity in or around their homes. The company is also a good option for homeowners who are concerned about termite activity or live in high-risk areas, like Florida, California and Texas.
Terminix is also a good option for general pest control, bedbug treatment and integrated pest management, which, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, can be a useful strategy for eliminating pests while putting less strain on the environment.
Since Terminix has mixed reviews, read reviews from your local Terminix branch. That will give you the best idea of the type of service in your area.
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Final verdict
Terminix is our top pick for pest control if you have or suspect that you have a termite problem. Its integrated treatment is second to none, and it has one of the strongest termite guarantees in the industry, covering up to $250,000 in new damage if the company’s treatments don’t solve your issue.
We’d sooner recommend Orkin or Viking Pest Control for more general pest problems, like ants, spiders and mosquitoes, but coupling general services with termite services from Terminix is a good option for saving money and simplifying treatment schedules.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Terminix being sued?
Terminix has faced numerous lawsuits, but the most recent class action lawsuit occurred in 2020 in Alabama, where the company allegedly signed numerous contracts for termite treatment, collected funds and failed to provide the promised services. Terminix settled for $60 million with the Department of Agriculture.
Who is the best termite control company?
In our opinion, Terminix is the best termite control company. Terminix has almost 100 years of experience in pest control and was the first company to create a working termiticide, a technology still used today. Terminix also offers a guarantee that includes free retreatment for persisting termite issues, and it covers up to a quarter million dollars if its lack of results leads to new damage.
What is the rating for Terminix?
Terminix has a 1.1-star rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a 1.4-star rating on Trustpilot. However, large, national companies like Terminix tend to have lower customer ratings due to the company size and the variance in service among different branches. Check reviews for your local branch before committing to service.
How much does Terminix usually charge?
The average cost of general pest control from Terminix is between $40 and $70 per month, or you can get a one-off service for around $350. Tick and mosquito treatments cost around $95 per month each or $130 for both. For termite and rodent control, Terminix customizes treatment to your specific property, so you’ll need to contact the company for an estimate.