Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Details)

v3.8.0.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Details)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Mar. 10, 2015
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
deliverable
state_or_province
location
segment
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]          
Minimum number of locations from where customized services are provided by Orkin, LLC | location   400      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]          
Revenue from smaller wholly-owned subsidiaries as percentage of total revenue, maximum   5.00%      
Number of reportable business segments | segment   1      
Principles of Consolidation          
Maximum ownership interest (as a percent)   50.00%      
Revenue Recognition          
Initial contract term for pest control customers   1 year      
Number of deliverables | deliverable   2      
Revenues from foreign operations as percentage of total revenue   8.00% 7.00% 7.00%  
Advertising          
Advertising   $ 66,115 $ 61,258 $ 57,705  
Cash and Cash Equivalents          
Maximum original maturity period of cash equivalents   3 months      
Cash held at various banking institutions   $ 107,050 142,785 $ 134,574 $ 108,372
Cash held in foreign bank accounts   57,790 $ 54,424    
Cash held in non-interest-bearing accounts   $ 49,300      
Three-for-two stock split          
Stock split ratio 1.5        
United States          
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]          
Number of states in which business operates | state_or_province   40      
Canada          
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]          
Number of states in which business operates | state_or_province   2