Terminix Review (2023)

If you’re looking for pest control services, you’ve likely come across Terminix. The household name and industry leader has been in the pest control business for more than 90 years and received the first-ever termite control patent.  Terminix serves more than 2 million residential and commercial customers, offering protection against termites,  ants, roaches, bed bugs, and many other household pests.

The This Old House Reviews Team researched the nation’s best pest control companies. Terminix topped our list, ranking highly on metrics such as availability, plan options, trustworthiness, and more. Below, we review its performance.

We scored Terminix a 98.5 out of 100, the highest of any pest control company we’ve reviewed. However, we always recommend receiving quotes from multiple providers before selecting one for your pest extermination needs.

Terminix’s standout features include a broad plan selection, free termite inspections for homeowners, industry longevity, and reservice guarantees. With 24/7 customer support and pest control availability in 45 states, Terminix allocates several resources to customer satisfaction. Its trained specialists treat and protect homes against more than 13 pests.

Terminix offers multiple plans, which may differ based on your region and local branch availability. The general Pest Control Plan, available nationwide, has quarterly visit and one-time treatment options. For general pest control pricing, call your local Terminix branch or use Terminix’s online pricing tool. Terminix offers termite control, mosquito treatment, and several pest-specific plans. Below, we’ve detailed popular options. 

Quarterly Pest Control Plan

The general quarterly Pest Control Plan includes the following:

• One comprehensive interior and exterior inspection and pest control treatment
• Quarterly exterior follow-up treatments
• Guaranteed reservice at no additional cost if pests return between treatments

The general Pest Control Plan protects customers from these 13 common household pests: house ants, cockroaches, non-dangerous spiders, mice, rats, scorpions, clothes moths, silverfish, centipedes, earwigs, crickets, millipedes, and paper wasps.

Termite Control

Terminix aims to stop termite infestation before it starts with its Terminix OnGuard Termite Protection System. This system is broken down into three steps:

1. Terminix technicians install built-in stations 10 to 15 feet apart in the soil around your home to create a zone of protection.
2. Termites feed on the bait and return to their colony with it, eliminating the remaining population.
3. Your expert technician conducts annual inspections to monitor the stations for signs of termite activity.

You can purchase one of three termite protection plans: 

• Basic Termite Plan: Includes the annual inspection, the OnGuard Termite Protection System, and Terminix’s free reservice guarantee
• Advanced Termite Plan: Includes everything in the Basic Termite Plan and an extended guarantee that provides free reservice and repairs for new termite damage
• Premium Termite Plan: Includes everything in the Advanced Termite Plan, plus household protection against 13 other pests 

Quick Guard Mosquito Service

For its monthly mosquito service, Terminix performs an on-site inspection to create a customized treatment plan for your home. The initial treatment reduces mosquito populations and creates a protection zone that can last for several weeks. The polymer used in Quick Guard® shields the product during rain and lawn watering to maximize the mosquito protection duration.

Terminix also offers a one-time mosquito service that includes a single treatment. 

Tick Defend System

This monthly service’s four-step approach targets common tick species, using a dual-action treatment of liquid and granules that create a barrier against the pests. The treatments start eliminating ticks immediately. You can also schedule a one-time tick treatment.

Bed Bug Removal

Terminix provides customized bed bug treatments to eliminate all bed bugs where they live and breed. First, a Terminix technician will perform a free, thorough inspection of your home, searching beds, furniture, and linens. Next, the technician will remove visible bed bugs and treat the area to eradicate any hidden bed bugs and eggs. Terminix uses a variety of methods, which may include steam, encasements, and monitoring devices.

Terminix provides services in 45 states, excluding Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Vermont.

For a 2,000-square-foot home, Terminix provided us with a quote of $480 annually for general pest control. This price may vary considerably depending on the details of your home and pest infestation. You can pay your service fee in quarterly or monthly installments. Mosquito services start at roughly $50 per month, and tick services start at around $80 per month. The exact cost of your Terminix treatment will depend on several factors, including the following:

• Infestation: If you have a full-blown infestation, it may cost more to treat.
• Type of pests: Certain pests cost more to eliminate than others.
• Size of your home: A larger home may cost more to treat.
• Type of treatment: Some extensive treatments cost more than less-involved ones.
• Number of treatments: Issues that require follow-up treatments may cost more.

Before providing you with a final quote for termite or bed bug treatment, Terminix will have to perform a free home inspection to determine pricing.

You will need to provide basic contact details and information about your home’s size and location when you schedule your free inspection with Terminix online or over the phone. For a termite-specific inspection, your Terminix inspector will assess your home’s structure and look for termite droppings, points of entry, damaged wood, live termites, and other indicators of an active infestation.  

After your termite or general pest inspection is complete, your specialist will brief you on their findings and help you choose the best plan for your needs and budget.

Terminix is not accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but it has an A rating with the organization. However, even the best pest control companies have negative reviews online. Based on our analysis of more than 100 customer reviews, we found that many mention being satisfied with successful pest control treatments, while some complain about scheduling difficulties with their local office.

Here are a few Terminix reviews from the BBB:

“I would like to commend the services of [Terminix exterminator]. He is always prompt, very pleasant and very thorough when servicing the inside/outside of my house.” — Frances P, January 5, 2022, BBB

“I have had Terminix service for quite a few years now and would highly recommend their service in our area of Horseheads NY. My technician Rob is outstanding, thorough, conscientious and very friendly. I don’t have to worry if I am not going to be home because he is the most honest person at getting the job done. I receive a text the day before my scheduled visit a text the day of the visit letting me know what time he will be arriving and a text when he is completed if I am not home. Thank you Rob for your dedication. You get a 10 plus from us.” — Sylvia C, March 20, 2022, on BBB

“I have/had a german roach problem. [My Terminix exterminator] knew how they probably got into my home, knew where the nests were, and knew where they moved after he attacked their homes. I can gratefully say that there is an amazing difference so far and I feel its only going to get better. ” — Laura J, August 11, 2022, on BBB

“Worst customer service, they rescheduled Tuesday for Friday but didn’t tell me. Waited on Friday, called 3 times to confirm. They said the inspector will call me when he’s on the way. He never called or showed up. Finally someone called me and said he would let me know on Monday. I had to call twice to see if they were going to call, and a manager told me that the mainland call center makes the appointment, but it doesn’t show up on the local computer. What an excuse!! FIX IT !! I’ve been with them for over 20 years!! I guess it’s time to change. You cannot get in touch with anyone locally.” — Iris T, February 14, 2023, BBB

*BBB information accurate as of March 2023

It’s helpful to compare Terminix to other companies on the market. Below we’ve lined up the top providers side by side to help you make your decision.

*Data updated as of March 2023

Overall, we believe Terminix has the best customer service and is one of the most complete pest control companies in the industry. Its informative website, extensive pest control plans, and commitment to customer support earned the company a top ranking on our metrics.

We appreciated Terminix’s online chat function that allows homeowners to communicate with a Terminix representative in real time. We opened chats on different occasions and received prompt, informative service, whether it was about plan details, plan availability, or Terminix guarantees. The representative was eager to work with us, requesting that we send a screenshot of the specific Terminix page so they could help us troubleshoot.

If you’d like a free quote from Terminix, call 866-569-4035 or fill out this form.

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. We review pest control plans, navigate the provider website, speak with customer service representatives by phone and online chat (if available), request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. We then score the provider against our review standards for plan options, additional benefits and convenience factors, availability, trustworthiness, and customer service to arrive at a final score out of 100.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.