Class Action Suits Filed Against Nation's Two Largest Pest Control Providers

Released: 01.17.2008

Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC (RPWB) in conjunction with Hoffman & Lazear in Oakland, California and Campbell Law, P.C., in Birmingham, Alabama, today announce filing separate class action lawsuits against the country's two largest subterranean (ground) termite control providers.

The suits were filed against Terminix International, Inc., owned by The ServiceMaster Company and Orkin Exterminating, Inc., owned by Rollins, Inc., for not providing the basic services they promised in their contracts. The lawsuits seek to stop Terminix and Orkin from continuing unacceptable business practices. Both companies are alleged to advertise "baiting" systems that have no termite “bait” in them. In addition, the companies are alleged to have applied grossly incomplete chemical treatments to the soil under and around foundations and used chemicals that either never worked or which wore off quickly. Instead of telling California consumers about these alleged shortcomings, the companies collected annual fees as if they were providing the termite services provided in the contract.

These lawsuits come on the heels of Terminix's settlements with several states' Attorneys General over claims of deceptive practice act violations including Florida, Connecticut, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, and New Jersey. In Florida, Orkin is defending racketeering charges brought by the State's Attorney General.

For more information regarding this class action suit, please contact us at termites@rpwb.com.