How much does termite tenting cost?
How much does termite tenting cost?
$1 – $4 cost per square foot
$2,000 – $8,000 cost for an average home (2,000 SF)
Cost of termite tenting
Termite tenting costs $1 to $4 per square foot or $2,000 to $8,000 to cover the entire house and kill the entire termite colony with gaseous pesticides or heat. Termite treatment companies use tenting with fumigation for severe infestations of drywood termites. Termite tenting is not effective on subterranean termites.
| Home size (square feet) | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 1,200 | $1,200 – $4,800 |
| 1,500 | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| 1,800 | $1,800 – $7,200 |
| 2,000 | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| 2,500 | $2,500 – $10,000 |
| 3,000 | $3,000 – $12,000 |
| 4,000 | $4,000 – $16,000 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Tenting a home is an effective way to treat severe termite infestations by sealing off the whole home in a large tent to exterminate the entire colony at once.
Termite tenting and tent fumigation are not the same thing, though people often use the terms interchangeably. Termite tenting is a general term that includes termite fumigation and termite heat treatment.
Termite tenting cost factors
Termite tenting prices are based on the square footage of the home, so the larger the home the more costly the treatment. Other factors that impact the cost include:
Termite type – Formosan termites are extremely aggressive and destructive and require a combination of treatment methods.
Termite inspection – A termite inspection costs $75 to $150, with some termite control companies offering a free inspection when not tied to a real estate transaction.
Termite bond – A termite bond costs $500 to $2,000 for annual inspections and termite treatments if an infestation is detected.
Temporary housing – Tenting requires you and your pets to vacate the home for 24 to 72 hours.
Additional costs – Extra fees apply for moisture removal, home repairs, and cleanup costs which are common after severe infestations.
Termite tenting costs by type
Termite fumigation services are used for severe infestations of drywood and dampwood termites that live inside wood beams, furniture, and floors. The tenting process does not go below ground and is ineffective against subterranean termites that live underground and travel back and forth to their food source.
| Termite type | Average treatment cost | Treatment methods |
|---|---|---|
| Subterranean termites | $250 – $2,000 | Liquid soil treatments |
| Drywood termites | $225 – $2,500+ | Tented gas fumigation or heat treatment, bait systems, or chemical spot treatment |
| Dampwood termites | $225 – $2,500+ | Remove the wood source and fix the moisture problem. Rarely tented fumigation is required. |
| Formosan termites | $800 – $5,000+ | Combination of methods that may include tented gas fumigation, bait systems, and liquid soil treatments |
Subterranean termites
Subterranean termite treatment costs $250 to $2,000. Subterranean termites are the most common termites found in every state and live in underground colonies in the soil where they can maintain their ideal moisture level. Liquid soil treatments are the preferred extermination method.
Drywood termites
Drywood termite treatment costs $225 to $2,500+. Drywood termites are common in warmer climates and eat dead wood found in support joists. They have smaller colonies of 700 termites that do less damage and are treated with bait if caught early. Larger infestations require termite tenting with gas fumigation or heat.
Dampwood termites
Dampwood termite treatment costs $225 to $2,500+. Dampwood termites are most often found in damp or decaying wood in Western coastal states. They live in firewood piles, fence posts, tree stumps, and utility poles.
Less likely to infest buildings, dampwood termites are first treated by removing the infested wood source. Severe infestations are treated with tenting.
Formosan termites
Formosan termite treatment costs $800 to $5,000+. Formosan termites are an aggressive and destructive species of subterranean termite found in the Southern US. They establish a colony in the ground but also set up nesting sites above ground in trees. Their large colonies can do a lot of damage quickly.
Formosan "super termites" often require a combination of treatments including bait systems, liquid soil treatments, and fumigation.
Tenting vs. tentless treatment costs
Whole-home tenting treatments reach every termite regardless of where it is hiding. Tentless treatments use chemicals or bait stations to kill localized termite colonies and create a barrier to prevent further infestations.
| Method | Average cost | Tented vs. tentless treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Gas fumigation | $2,000 – $8,000 | Tented |
| Heat treatment | $2,000 – $6,000 | Tented |
| Bait stations | $1,000 – $2,500 | Tentless |
| Chemical soil treatment | $500 – $2,000 | Tentless |
| Micro treatment | $6 – $8 per square foot | Tentless |
Gas fumigation
Gas fumigation costs $2,000 to $8,000 on average to tent the entire home and pump the tent full of toxic gas to exterminate the colony. This highly effective treatment takes 1 to 3 days for the chemicals to spread across the home, destroying termites hiding in any wooden structure.
Thermal heat treatment
Thermal heat termite treatment costs $2,000 to $6,000 to tent the home and blow dry hot air throughout the tent until the home reaches a temperature between 120- and 140-degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 35 to 60 minutes. The process takes about 8 hours including tent setup and tear-down.
Bait stations
Termite bait systems cost $1,000 to $2,500 for an initial treatment, plus $200 to $400 for yearly monitoring. The termites are baited with cellulose, their preferred food source, and a growth-inhibiting product that kills the termites when they try to molt.
Termite baits are placed every 15 to 20 feet throughout the home. The baits are monitored every 30 to 90 days to confirm the poison is being ingested. Bait stations take longer to wipe out the colony than other treatments but are safe for humans, pets, and plants.
Chemical treatments
Chemical treatments cost $500 to $2,000+ and are a common termite elimination process. Liquid pesticides are placed in the soil around the home's foundation to create a chemical barrier around the entire perimeter to prevent termites from entering.
Micro treatments
Micro treatments costing $6 to $8 per square foot are used to treat small termite infestations before they spread or grow a colony. Technicians use a variety of treatments including heat, microwave guns, and spot treatments with liquid termiticide depending on the location and type of termites.
Annual termite treatment costs
An annual termite treatment program costs $200 to $900, depending on the plan. Plans may include monthly, quarterly, or annual treatments depending on the termite history and treatment method.
Monthly pest control plans cost $600 to $900 per year for bait system treatments in homes where termites were eradicated using bait stations.
Quarterly pest control plans cost $250 to $600 per year for bait or liquid treatments in homes that are deemed termite free but need regular inspections and replacement of bait or spot treatments more frequently than once a year.
Annual pest control plans cost $200 to $400 per year and are common in areas that see a lot of termite activity. Most pest control companies start with a pest inspection and an initial treatment with high upfront costs, then conduct routine spot checks to ensure there is no termite activity.
Termite tenting FAQs
How do I know if I have termites?
Here are some common signs that you have a termite infestation in your home:
Bubbling floors or walls that are soft to the touch
Peeling paint that looks like water damage
Mud tubes located around the home's foundation
Sawdust-like substance on floorboards, walls, or furniture
Temporary swarms of termites
Piles of small white wings after a swarm
What is termite tenting?
Termite tenting is a pest control method in which the entire home is sealed with a tent and filled with gaseous pesticides or heat that poisons or suffocates the termites inside.
How long does fumigation take?
Fumigation for termites takes 24 to 72 hours for tent preparation, fumigation, and aeration of the home before you can safely return.
What can be left in the house during fumigation?
All people, pets, and plants must be removed from the home during fumigation. Food, drinks, and medicines stored in an airtight container are safe to stay. Clothing, furniture, electronics, and hygiene items like toothpaste and shampoo are unaffected by the fumigant and can be left in the house during fumigation.
How do I prep for termite tenting?
Before you have your home tented for termites, be sure to:
Arrange a place to stay for 24 to 72 hours.
Pack anything you may want during that time, especially your medications since you won't have access to your home.
Remove any food, drinks, and medicine from the home unless they are stored in an airtight container.
Seal any cracks or openings around windows or doors with duct tape or plastic sheeting to prevent the fumigant from escaping.
Turn off all utilities including electricity, gas, and water.
Getting estimates from termite tenting companies
If you think you have termites, don't delay. Seek help from a termite exterminator or termite tenting company immediately before the pests cause significant damage to your home. Follow these additional recommendations:
Look for licensed, insured, and bonded pest control companies near you.
Inquire about their expertise, services, fees, and payment plans.
Ask if they specialize in termite fumigation services.
Check their references and read their reviews on Google and HomeGuide.
Discuss their recommendations for monthly, quarterly, or annual treatment plans.
Questions to ask
Here are some questions that can help you choose the right pest control company for you:
How long have you been treating termites in this area?
Can you provide me with a list of customer references?
Will the technician treating my home be certified or licensed?
Can you show me a copy of your pest control license?
Do you offer services in addition to tenting fumigation?
How much will the termite tenting cost?
Will I need any follow-up services after the initial treatment?
Do you come back later to check for reinfestation?
How long will I be out of my home?
Do I need to take all the food out of my pantry before you fumigate?