Written by

Tom Grupa

April 5, 2023

Termite Treatment Cost

The average cost for termite treatment is $330 to $820 for limited chemical treatments or bait stations. Large infestations that require fumigation with tenting the home cost $1,300 to $3,000 or more. Prices depend on the treatment type, the extent of the infestation, and if the structure is in a damp or dry area.

Average Cost of Termite Control

Termite control using bait systems or chemical treatment costs $5 to $12 per linear foot or about $550 for the average infestation. The total price depends on the linear footprint or the length of the walls and perimeter infested in the home.

When tenting your home for fumigation or heat treatment, expect to pay $1 to $2 per square foot. Costs depend on the size of your home, the degree to which it has been infested, and the number of treatments required.

The most common treatment categories for termites include the following:

Termite Bait Stations Cost

Termite bait stations are a targeted assault aimed at destroying termite colonies. A termite baiting system costs $6 to $10 per linear foot or $960 to $1,600 for treatment on a 1,600-square-foot house.

For this treatment, your treatment specialist will set up bait stations every 15 to 20 feet around your home and monitor them every 30 to 90 days to see if the poison is being ingested by termites in those areas. Baiting is a critical element in killing the whole colony.

Sentricon System

The average cost of a Sentricon baiting system is $1,200 to $3,800 for initial installation and $280 for yearly monitoring. Sentricon is touted as the number-one bait system with 60 scientific studies documenting colony elimination—the termites prefer the bait over wood by a factor of ten.

The workers, who feed the colony, ingest the bait. It kills them, but not before they regurgitate the poison, thereby cutting off the food supply to the colony and its queen. The exterminator will place the bait stations about 10' apart around your property and check on them periodically to refill them when necessary.

Soil Extermination Chemicals

The average cost of termite soil treatment using chemicals is $5 to $12 per linear foot or approximately $1,360 for a 1,600 sq. ft. home with a 160-foot perimeter.

The most common termite issue homeowners in the US face is from subterranean termites that make their homes in the soil around homes and buildings. One method of dealing with this is to administer liquid chemicals into the earth—a trench is dug around the foundation of the home, and then termiticide is used to treat the soil before the trench is filled back in.

• Soil extermination is a very effective treatment method to eliminate a current infestation of subterranean termites around the home, and it will prevent future infestations.

• Depending on your exterminator, and the products selected for the treatment of your infestation, it will typically carry a 3- to 7-year reapplication guarantee against infestation occurring at the treatment site.

Repellent Treatment - Liquid Chemical Barrier

Available as a treatment both before and after construction, liquid chemical barriers, also known as liquid termiticides or repellents, are applied to the soil around the foundation through a series of trenches and boreholes. This creates a barrier that repels termites from entering the structure, and it kills the termites that come in contact with it.

Some of the more common repellent chemicals include:

Non-Repellent Treatment

Non-repellent treatment chemicals perform differently in that they are created to be unnoticeable to termites. Since they don’t cause the termites to avoid the area and go off looking for somewhere that wasn’t treated, they just get poisoned and die because their muscles seize up and they cannot move or eat.

Some of the more common repellent chemicals include:

When done incorrectly, it results in incomplete coverage, and gaps in the barrier can allow termites through to the home. Additionally, the barrier, even if entirely effective, will drive away the worker termites sent out from the colony and not address the colony itself.

If termites evade detection inside the home before the repellant is applied around the house, this barrier will force them to remain inside the home.

Best Termite Treatment - Termidor vs. Sentricon

The preferred treatment to do first is a localized treatment of infested areas with chemicals. Overall, Termidor seems to have the best reviews on multiple sites online for chemical treatments while Sentricon is the preferred bait system.

Termite Tenting Cost

The average cost to tent a house for termite fumigation is $1,280 to $3,000 or $1 to $4 per square foot depending on the level of infestation. The second option for the entire home is heat treatment, costing $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot with most homeowners paying about $800 to $2,800.

Termite Fumigation Cost

Termite fumigation is the most expensive yet most effective, form of termite control which costs $1,280 to $3,000 or $1 to $4 per square foot. In treating a dry wood termite infestation in the wood in your home, entire home termite fumigation is essential, especially in cases of severe infestations and primarily when the precise location of the infestation cannot be determined.

To contain the treatment to deliver the highest concentration:

1. A tent will be placed over the entire home. Contractors typically use tarps to create the tent.

2. When the termites inhale the fumigant, it attacks their nervous system and robs them of oxygen.

3. Expect for the process to take 1 to 3 days before it can be confirmed that they are all dead.

4. It will take up to another 6 hours before levels are back to one part per million—when it is safe for your family and pets to be back in the home.

This process does not leave any residual contaminants in the home, but along with the need for the inhabitants of the house to leave, any other living things, like plants, also need to be removed.

Termite Heat Treatment Cost

Working with the same concept of containing the treatment process with tented tarps over the home, termite heat treatment costs $1 to $2.50 per square foot or around $800 to $2,800.

1. The temperature of the air inside the home must be heated by blow heaters to between 120° and 140° F for at least 35 minutes.

2. Despite the relatively short treatment time, the entire process will take about a day to complete.

Because of the extreme heat produced by the blowers, it is critical that anything that could be damaged by the heat like artwork, pianos, guitars, other musical instruments, or sensitive electronics be removed from the home.

Fumigation vs. Heat Treatment

Both types of tent treatments for termites only address the current termite issues and do nothing to prevent a future infestation.

• The fumigation solution has no detrimental effect on the structure of the home and leaves the house free of contaminants when the process is finished. Still, fumigation treatment methods are held in low regard by environmental agencies.

• The method of heating the air in the home has the potential to cause harm to sensitive household contents like antique furniture. Also, if the heat hasn’t been effectively applied to the entire house, then it will only drive the termites to a cooler area in the home.

Termite Extermination Cost By Type

Costs for residential termite removal and extermination range from $550 to $3,000 with the average cost being about $8 per linear foot. For a 1,600 sq. ft home with a perimeter of 160 linear feet, the average price of termite treatment is about $1,280. Costs vary based on the type of termites, the extent of the infestation, and if the structure is in a damp or dry area.

• Subterranean Termites – Subterranean costs start higher because, by the time they are discovered, they are typically already inside your home. The key to any type of treatment is to remain vigilant, with both ongoing inspections and treatment to prevent the damage from becoming more widespread.

• Drywood and Dampwood Termites – Drywood and dampwood treatment costs start lower because they could have potentially smaller areas of treatment required. With drywood, it could be confined to one recently acquired piece of old furniture, and with dampwood, it could be limited to a pile of firewood on a concrete patio.

Termite Treatment for Wood

Types of wood treatments include injected sprays and foams, surface sprays, and Borate-treated wood. Specialists use surface applications when a home is being built, and injections or foams to treat a house that is already made.

Your termite specialist can choose several wood treatments to eliminate any existing termite colonies and prevent future colonies.

Signs of Termites

The moment you first notice signs of termites is the best time to schedule an inspection and treatment. When inspecting your home yourself, here are a few signs of termites to look out for.

Early Signs of Termites

• Antennae & wings – The difference between termites and ants is that termites are generally pale yellow and have straight antennae. Both sets of termite wings are the same size and shape. You may find wings that have fallen off—which happens when they leave the colony.

• Feces – Termite droppings, called frass, can have a sawdust appearance and are generally seen close to exposed wood around the home.

Signs of Termite Damage

Unless you know what you are looking for, it is possible to miss the evidence of termites in the house. The quickest way to see if you have them is to have an inspection done. Termite inspections typically cost $100 to $350, but many pest control companies offer this service for free.

• Damaged Wood – Termite damage will sometimes appear like a carved maze on a piece of unpainted wood. Holes in the paint expose the damaged wood underneath, or bumpy or uneven wood underneath paint often resembles the appearance of water damage. On the interior of the home, evidence might look like buckled wood in furniture or flooring, and it usually gives off an aroma like mold or mildew. The visible veneer cracks, revealing the maze underneath.

• Termite Mud Tubes – Dark tunnels usually found on home exterior siding.

• Pinholes in Drywall – Tiny holes in your drywall that look like you’ve been sticking pins in it.

• Audio Testing – Tap on wood with a tool like a screwdriver to see if you can hear a hollow sound. If the wood sounds the same all over, then you should be okay, but if it sounds hollow in some locations, then there could already be an infestation.

What Do Termites Look Like?

Of the roughly 2,000 different species of termites across the United States, about five invade our most significant investment looking for a place to call home. In the US, the termites that cause the most damage are Formosan, Dampwood, Drywood, and Conehead termites.

With their incredible ability to chew through the wood in our floors, framing, doors, windows, and everywhere else, termites are responsible for close to $5 billion in damages to property annually (according to the National Pest Management Association).

Termite Inspection Cost

A termite inspection costs $75 to $150 on average, which is often reimbursed if you hire them to do the termite treatment as well. While you could inspect your home yourself, it is highly unlikely your inspection would be as thorough as an inspection by a professional.

A termite inspection measures the amount of termite activity found in and around the home. Every part of the house is examined, and an extermination plan can be drawn up to make sure all termites and colonies are annihilated.

Here are a few places to inspect for termites:

• Behind appliances

• Crawl spaces

• Attic space

• Windows

• Floors

• In cabinets

• Door frames

Termite Bond Cost

A termite bond is a transferable termite service agreement between a homeowner and a termite company for a regular termite inspection. On average, a termite bond costs $500 to $2,000. It’s often helpful to have one of these as part of the sale of your home, especially in some of the more termite-prone states. Treatment through a bond is generally cheaper than a regular one-time treatment.

Termite Treatment For New Construction

Local and state building code requirements for new construction outline which control methods should be used in areas where subterranean termite infestations are common. Preconstruction termite protection covers two main areas:

• For construction, it is more common to use pressure-treated wood—which is infused with chemicals to keep termites at bay. The general cost for pretreated wood is $8 for 16’.

• For treating the land around a construction site before building, there is no cost difference between treatment with or without termites, since building codes require it anyway.

• According to Orkin, builders may regularly treat the layer of soil beneath a home and install termite bait and monitoring systems to check for activity, among other measures. Chemical soil treatment typically costs $5 to $12 per linear foot.

Termite Prevention Costs

Homeowners who wish to be proactive and save on future termite control can purchase a termite home inspection maintenance plan. Inspections are carried out every month to every six months at $25 to $50 per visit and baits are always checked.

Outside of professional treatment, you can help mitigate or avoid some of the risks yourself by following the following guidelines:

• Pretreat the soil and rock before construction, remodeling, or landscaping, using a chemical barrier protection against termite infestation. Most termite treatment companies will provide this.

• Do what you can to prevent moisture from building up around the foundation of your home by diverting any fall-off water away from it. Make sure you have fully operational splash blocks, shielded and clear gutters, and downspouts.

• Remove any vegetation growing on or around vents. Have any old tree stumps and/or roots from around and beneath the home or other buildings removed.

• Build barriers where there is a distance of 18 inches between any wood in your home and the earth around it.

There are many natural remedies for termite control issues you may spot around the house which include mixes made with Borax, vinegar, orange oil, neem oil, diatomaceous earth, and soap. While these will have some initial impact on the termites presently attacking your home, they will not prevent future attacks.

Termite treatment FAQs

Is termite treatment covered by insurance?

In the US, home insurance is designed to cover the financial impact of damage caused by some natural disasters like fire, lightning strikes, hail, or wind, which are outside your control; however, the prevention of a termite infestation is within your power and therefore not generally covered by your insurance.

How do you know if you have a termite infestation and need treatment?

At a visible level, you will either see termite wings, termite droppings, termite damage in wood structures or furniture, or deformed surfaces on painted wood; or you will know when you have an inspection done.

How long does termite treatment take?

Termite treatment could take 1 to 3 days, with the termites typically dead within 5 days, depending on the type of treatment being done and the size of the property.

How long does termite treatment last?

Most of the more robust and professionally administered treatments of termite control last 5 to 7 years.

How often should I treat for termites?

Depending on the type of treatment last performed at your property, there should be documentation left behind by the exterminator indicating how long it is good for, and that will determine your treatment schedule.

Is treatment covered by insurance?

No. According to Esurance “Homeowners insurance doesn't normally cover termite damage or removal. That's because termite infestations can typically be prevented through routine home maintenance, which homeowners are responsible for.”

How much does Terminix termite treatment cost?

Depending on the extent of the infestation, the type of termites, the size of the property, and the solution needed, treatment will cost $800 to $3,000.

What is the cheapest termite treatment?

Cardboard traps are the cheapest form of termite treatment. Because cardboard is made from wood fibers, termites may be tempted to leave the wood they have been devouring and come hang out on the cardboard, and then you can dispose of them. To save on cost, just use any cardboard that you have around the house.

Termite bait stations are another cheap form of treatment. You can purchase termite bait stations to bury in the ground around your home, and a box of 10 is around $140.

Lastly, Diatomaceous earth is a chemical-free powder you can spray around an area where you have seen termites, or along any access to that entry point. A 10 lb. bag will cost about $23.

Can you treat termites yourself?

While it is possible to have some success with small localized spot treatment depending on the degree of the infestation, and preventative measures, the health risks associated with the chemicals required to kill termites make hiring an exterminator the better choice.

Hiring a Termite Control Company

The more of the following criteria the exterminator can meet, the better protected you and your home will be.

• Are licensed, bonded, and insured in your state

• Have been in business for 5+ years

• Present you with documentation detailing their initial assessment and treatment plans

• Are highly rated on HomeGuide and Google

• Offer a multi-year guarantee on the work completed

• Offer discounts for ongoing treatment and monitoring

Using these guidelines, build a list of 3 to 5 potential exterminators, request bids from them, and then make your final selection.

Questions to Ask Termite Control Companies

• Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

• What are the most commonly found termites in the area? How do you usually treat for those?

• Do I have to vacate my home with that treatment? If so, for how long?

• How long are the treatment and prevention measures guaranteed to work for?

• Once treated, when do you return to verify there are no active termites on my property?

• After that inspection to validate the treatment, when do you next check my property?

• What happens if my property is damaged in the event of treatment failure?

• If there are no termites on my property, what preventative methods will you deploy?

• For treatment or preventative measures, what discounts are there for continued service?