Ftc Puts Bite On Bad Termite Ads

Consumers who took the bait that a termite removal system would prevent pests from infesting and damaging their homes can get their money back under a settlement announced Thursday by the maker of the product and government regulators.

United Industries Corp., which manufactures Terminate, has agreed to refund customers and modify advertising for its termite bait system. The Federal Trade Commission, the District of Columbia and nine state attorneys general had charged that the company’s claims about the use and effectiveness of Terminate was deceptive and unsubstantiated.

According to the complaint, the company, based in St. Louis, advertised Terminate as “the first do-it-yourself termite home defense system.” The promotional materials imply that users only have to place bait stakes in the ground around their home and Terminate would do the rest, the complaint charged.

But the commission said consumers must actually inspect the bait stakes every two to three months or more frequently, add additional stakes where termite activity exists and replace or remove the stakes every nine months, the complaint said.