How much does termite treatment cost?
How much does termite treatment cost?
$225 – $2,500 exterior barrier treatment
$2,000 – $8,000 whole-home termite tenting
Termite treatment costs
Termite control costs $225 to $2,500 per treatment for chemical or bait station methods. Severe infestations requiring whole-home termite tenting cost $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the home's size. The best treatment depends on if you have subterranean, drywood, or dampwood termites and the severity of the infestation.
| Method | Average cost | Application type |
|---|---|---|
| Bait stations | $7 – $12 per linear foot | Exterior perimeter below ground |
| Chemical soil treatment | $3 – $20 per linear foot | Exterior perimeter below ground |
| Tented gas fumigation | $1 – $4 per square foot | Entire home interior |
| Tented heat treatment | $1 – $3 per square foot | Entire home interior |
| Micro treatments | $6 – $8 per square foot | Localized spot interior and exterior |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Bait station
Termite bait systems cost $7 to $12 per linear foot or $1,000 to $2,500 on average to treat the entire home. Expect to pay another $200 to $400 each year to monitor the area for termite reinfestation.
Termites are baited with their favorite food source, cellulose, which is laced with an insecticide that disrupts their normal growth process. Within weeks of ingesting the bait, the termites die while trying to molt.
The delayed action allows termites to share the lethal ingredient with nest mates and prevents dead termites from piling up around the stations, which could cause other termites to avoid the area.
Chemical soil treatment
Chemical soil treatments cost $3 to $20 per linear foot and are the most common termite treatment. A whole-home treatment costs $500 to $2,000 or more for severe infestations. Liquid pesticides are placed in the soil around the perimeter of the foundation creating a chemical barrier to prevent termites from entering.
Micro treatments
Micro treatments cost $6 to $8 per square foot for small infestations of termites caught before they spread or grow a colony. Technicians use a combination of methods including heat, microwave guns, or spot treatments with liquid termiticide depending on the location and type of termites found.
Gas fumigation
Termite tenting with gas fumigation costs $1 to $4 per square foot or $2,000 to $8,000 for an average-sized home. The home is sealed off with a tent before gaseous pesticides are pumped throughout the home to kill the entire colony.
Tent preparation, treatment, and aeration can take up to 72 hours, during which no people, pets, or plants are allowed in the home.
Heat treatment
Thermal heat treatments cost $1 to $3 per square foot or $2,000 to $6,000 for an average 2,000 SF home. Heat treatments involve tenting and then heating the tent to 120° to 140° F for 35 to 60 minutes. The high heat suffocates the entire termite colony without toxic gases.
Thermal heat treatments are ideal for severe drywood termite infestations since the heat treatment kills the termites hiding in wood support joists, floors, and furniture.
Termite treatment cost factors
Termite treatments cost $3 to $20 per linear foot, on average, depending on the treatment type and the severity of the infestation. Factors that impact the costs include:
Home size – Larger homes take longer to inspect and treat than smaller homes.
Home's foundation – Slab foundations require less attention than homes with basements or crawlspaces that are susceptible to subterranean termite infestations.
Treatment method – Spot treatments and methods that focus on the exterior perimeter are cheaper than whole-home tenting treatments.
Infestation severity – The more termite activity, the greater the number of localized treatments required or the more likely a whole-home tenting treatment will be needed.
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.
Additional costs – Extra fees apply for moisture removal, home repairs, and cleanup costs which are common for severe infestations.
Termite treatment prices by type
Subterranean termites are the most common termite type in the United States, but most pest control companies also treat drywood, dampwood, and aggressive Formosan termites.
| Termite type | Average treatment cost | Treatment methods |
|---|---|---|
| Subterranean termites | $250 – $2,000 | Liquid soil treatment |
| Drywood termites | $225 – $2,500+ | Bait stations and tented fumigation or heat treatment |
| Dampwood termites | $225 – $2,500+ | Removal of the infected wood and tented fumigation in severe cases |
| Formosan termites | $800 – $5,000+ | Bait stations, liquid soil treatment, and tented gas fumigation in severe cases |
Subterranean termites
Subterranean termite treatment costs $250 to $2,000. Subterranean termites are the most common termites found in every state. They live in underground colonies in the soil and build mud tubes to travel between their colony and food source. 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 are not found in soil. They have smaller colonies and do less damage than other termite types. They are treated with bait treatment if caught early or with gas fumigation or heat treatment for larger infestations.
Dampwood termites
Dampwood termite treatment costs $225 to $2,500+. Dampwood termites are most often found in Western coastal states. They inhabit damp or decaying wood in firewood piles, fence posts, tree stumps, and utility poles but are less likely to infest buildings.
Dampwood termites are first treated by removing the infested wood source which takes care of the problem in most cases. On some occasions, tented gas fumigation is needed to treat severe infestations.
Formosan termites
Formosan termite treatment costs $800 to $5,000+. Formosan termites are an extremely 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. With up to 7 million termites in a colony, they do a lot of damage quickly.
Controlling Formosan "super termites" often requires a combination of treatments including bait systems, liquid soil treatments, and fumigation.
Signs of termites in your home
Some common signs that you have a termite infestation are:
Bubbling floors or walls that sound hollow or soft to the touch
Peeling paint that resembles water damage
Mud tubes around the home's foundation
Patterns of a sawdust-like substance on floorboards, walls, or furniture
Temporary swarms of termites searching for a new colony
Piles of small white wings after a swarm, as termites shed their wings
How to prevent termites
The best way to prevent a costly termite infestation is to invest in an annual termite treatment program costing $200 to $900 per year, for annual, quarterly, or monthly pest control inspection and treatment plans.
Follow these additional tips to prevent a termite infestation:
Keep water away from your foundation.
Use mulch sparingly around your home.
Keep wood stores up off the ground and away from your foundation or crawlspace.
Use water barriers to reduce moisture and humidity in crawl spaces.
Termite treatment FAQs
How can I save money on termite control?
The best way to save money on termite control is to prevent an infestation from happening in the first place. Look for termite home inspection plans with a yearly inspection and treatment if termites are found. These programs save you money by preventing costly full-scale termite treatments.
How long does a termite treatment take?
Most termite treatments take 30 to 45 minutes when treating a single area of the home or property. Whole-home treatments take 1 to 3 days for larger infestations.
How long do termite treatments last?
In general, termite treatments last for 5 to 10 years, but the treatment method, home location, and the home's condition all impact how long the treatment lasts. Bait stations are replaced annually while fumigation lasts 15 years. Homes in active termite areas or with structural damage need more frequent reapplication.
Is termite treatment covered by insurance?
No, termite treatment is not typically covered by homeowners' insurance since termite damage is considered gradual and preventable. Policies may cover treatment and repairs if the infestation is caused by a flood or water damage.
Optional termite protection riders are available and recommended in areas with high termite activity.
Can I sell a house with termites?
Yes, you can sell a house with termites, but you are legally required to disclose the termite infestation to potential buyers.
Getting estimates from termite control companies near you
When getting estimates from termite control companies, follow these suggestions:
Look for licensed, insured, and bonded termite control companies near you.
Inquire about their experience, services, fees, and payment options.
Ask what termite treatments they specialize in.
Check all available references and read their reviews on Google and HomeGuide.
Discuss any recommendations for monthly, quarterly, or annual treatment plans.
Questions to ask
Ask these important questions when selecting a pest control company for your termite treatment:
How long have you been treating termites in my area?
Will you provide me with a list of customer references?
Is the technician treating my home certified or licensed?
Can you provide me with a copy of your pest control license?
What termite treatment services and plans do you offer?
Do you recommend a bait station or chemical barrier for my infestation?
Will termite tenting with fumigation be needed? If so, how long will I be out of my home?
Will I need any follow-up services after the initial treatment?
Do you come back later to check for reinfestation?