LIES AND DEAD KITTENS;

Our experience with Terminix is one of the most horrific and traumatic experiences we have ever known. We needed to have our house tented for dry-wood termites and unfortunately chose Terminix thinking that their years of experience would be to our benefit.
We were told they would come the night before the tenting to ensure all was properly prepared – this did not happen.
I had questions and concerns about tenting as there are 3 kittens we have spent 2 months befriending in an effort to trap and neuter. On October 30, I texted the salesperson about my concerns and she texted back her assurance that Terminix takes all precautions to make sure there is no wildlife under house. She said they set off the equivalent of a tear gas bomb prior to tenting and take “every special precaution” to make sure it is safe. – this did not happen.
They were unable to advise what time the crew would be here to start setting up the tent. We requested they call when on the way – this did not happen.
Here is what did happen: on 11/3/22, a sub-contractor showed up and immediately had a ladder up and were dragging their tarps out prior to our knowledge. Little did we know that at their abrupt arrival the kittens panicked and ran. When we came out one minute after their arrival they started up the ladder and began getting the tarps/tent up. They were tenting before we could even exit the house properly. They bum-rushed us out of the house.
I then asked about the tear gas bomb to ensure no animals in the vicinity and they scoffed and stated they do not do that. They said it is the homeowner’s responsibility and they could pack back up and leave if we were not ready. With the hotel booked and all the food and items in the house double bagged and sealed, this was not a viable option, and they knew that. I tried to check around the outside of the house but with their team of men and equipment it was impossible to find sign of the kittens.
We started to drive to the hotel when I realized in our haste while being rushed out, I inadvertently left my wallet on the dresser. I turned around and came right back and spoke with one of the workers stating that I needed to get back in and why. He said no. I again explained I had to get my wallet as I needed my license, money and credit cards – he said no. In shock I drove down the road, turned around and asked for the man in charge. He came and I explained. He hesitated and I bribed him telling him I would give him $20 to get in. Miraculously, he then agreed.
On 11/7, a couple days after our return, we noticed a strong stench and flies outside swarming by the skirting under our house. This caused great concern as we had not seen the kittens since our return. We called Terminix and requested to speak with a manager and were advised they would call us back within 24-48 hours. – this did not happen.
On 11/9, I texted the salesperson and told her the 3 kittens were missing and the stench and flies indicated there may be a problem. I emphatically communicated that Terminix needed to send someone out that very day to crawl under the house. I explained how terrorizing, traumatizing and horrifying it was to think the kittens were dead under the house. She texted back that the branch manager had reached out to her the previous evening and told her to set up an inspection … “the inspection is only to see what’s going on and set you up with an Exclusion Program. This will be an additional cost”. When I asked what an Exclusion Program is she responded, “the exclusion program would be for rodents… they seal up the access ways around the house with a wire mesh … then they put traps in to trap everything out”. I was furious as I had already explained several times our concern was over the kittens and she is trying to charge us extra to come out and take care of rodents! She even acknowledged that she saw no evidence of rodents (which was because of the cats’ presence). But here we have repeatedly called for a manager and explained our concerns about the kittens and texted her about the kittens – and their reply is about rodents?! She texted back she would send a copy of my text to her manager to address.
We could no longer wait on Terminix’s broken promises and called a wildlife company who, for $475, came out that day and crawled under the house. They found 2 dead kittens! We explained there were 3 but he said he only found 2.
We continued our efforts to reach a manager and express our horror. Finally on 11/10 at the end of the day a manager called. We explained everything and his response was simply that it “was unfortunate”. We demanded someone come out to double check under the house as there was still a stench and flies. We called the wildlife company and they said there would be an additional $250 cost to recheck.
Finally on 11/11 Terminix sent someone. He was 6’7 and could barely scoot in a foot. He said he smelled something but was unable to get under there. Then on 11/12, the manager called and I again explained there was a dead cat under the house still and he needed to send someone. I asked for the $475 to be refunded and he said he would credit it against our account. We explained we are on a tight budget and we needed the refund not a credit but he said all he can do is issue a credit. He also said he’d try to send someone back out on Monday.
In conclusion, Terminix has been extremely rude and uncaring about the fact that 3 kittens are dead because they did not do as promised. We have cried countless tears over these beautiful kittens dying so horrifically and I am unable to express the true amount of trauma this has brought.
If our plight touched any one of your hearts, please reach out to the branch manager, Mr. Grimsley at # 813-734-2863 and give him your thoughts on this tragedy and let him know it will affect your decision when you next require tenting or treatment.
Sincerely,
Lisa and Marsha Swauger
Apollo Beach, Florida