How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost?

Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

In most cases, it will cost less to treat your house than it will cost to paint it. If it doesn`t, one of two things is happening: either your termite company has huge prices or you work with a really cheap painter. Most of us will pay for termite treatments once or twice in our entire lifetime. So what will be a good price for the termite treatment?

Until your home will be inspected and measured by a termite company, you won’t find a clear answer to your question. Some issues that will be taken into account when figuring out the costs are the type of foundation of your home, the size of your house, the type of treatment you opt for, and the insurance you have.

Don’t just shop for the cheapest services, because doing so might leave you disappointed with the final results. There are a lot of issues to consider along with the price for termite treatment, considering that if you pick a good company, you won’t need more than one or two treatments in your entire lifetime.

How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost?

If you’re a homeowner, then you should consider termite control and prevention an essential part of the upkeep. The termite treatment cost will usually be between $250 and $900, while the national average cost is somewhere closer to $570.

• Typical Range: $50 to $900
• National Average: $570

Most homeowners will find it necessary to deal with termites. The severity of the termite infestation as well as the number of treatments that are needed and the size of the area will dictate the price you will end up paying.

The typical termite treatment should be priced between $250 and $900, which takes the price per linear foot to $4 – $15. As said above, the national average cost is somewhere around $570. The type of treatment you will need will be decided by the pest control professional you employ, depending on what works best for your home.

The cost will vary depending on whether prevention fumigation, bait, chemical treatments, or prevention methods are used. You will only be able to prevent future termites and keep your budget in check if you know how much would each termite treatment options cost.

How to Figure Your Termite Treatment Cost

What is a linear foot? Termite companies will calculate the costs by measuring the surfaces in linear feet (Ln. Ft.). This is done by measuring in ft. the distance around your home. Usually, you will negotiate for the price per Ln. Ft and then the company will multiply that number by the number of Ln. Feet.

For a subterranean termite treatment for your house, this is how you measure the price: Figure out the distance in ft. around the foundation of your house. The result will be the total linear feet that will be calculated in the treatment price. If you have a big house, you’ll spend more, because every linear foot will require a specific amount of termiticide to be applied. Expect to pay around $4 to $15 for every Ln. ft. if you hire a decent company.

It’s obvious that the cheapest option will be to do the termite treatment yourself with the same products that the professional companies would use if you have any experience behind you.

Before thinking about doing the treatment yourself, you have to know that not all buildings are recommended for DIY treatments, some will need a professional approach. Both examples below are based on a 240 Ln. ft. house.

DIY Example: .84 cents per Ln. ft. x240 Ln. Ft.  (Termidor cost based on $50 per bottle) = $201.60 for the treatment.

Termite Company Treatment Example Comparison: $5.00 per Ln. ft. x 240 Ln. ft.  = $1,200 for the treatment.

Check Out This Interesting Article About The Cost of Changing a Roof

Termite Treatment Cost Factors

Type of Termites

There are currently three types of termites found in the US and they are subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites. Although the exact type won’t influence the cost itself, it might influence the exact technique used to eliminate the pest.

Extent of the Infestation

The termite treatment cost will also be influenced by the extent of the infestation itself. Among the most common signs of infestation are active termite swarms, mud tunnels, and visible termites around the house.

If you suspect your home might be infected with termites, then also look out for other signs, like quiet chewing noises, hollow-sounding timber, or holes in pieces of wood. Any of these should make you get in touch with a professional termite exterminator to set up an appointment. You will avoid considerable termite damage to your home if you get the treatment as soon as possible.

Type and Number of Treatments

Based on the number of applications and the type of treatment, termite treatment may cost more or less. While termite bait systems will cost between $8 and $12 per linear foot, chemical treatments will be cheaper, between $4 and $15. Chemical treatments should be used until termite activity is completely gone.

Heat treatments will be priced between $800 and $2,500, or around $10 per square linear foot, while termite fumigation costs are closer to $10 to $20 per linear foot.

If tenting is necessary, then you should expect to pay between $1,200 and $2,500 or even more to have your entire home tented. These costs can either be by linear foot ranging from $5 to $20, or on a flat rate.

Size of the Structure to Be Treated

Your termite treatment costs will also vary depending on the size of your structure. The average treatment application will be priced between $250 and $900, while a whole-home treatment can easily go over the $2,500 price mark.

Business Factors in Termite Treatment Cost

The same termite treatment will have different costs when provided by different termite control companies because just like any other businesses they have a lot of different expenses to take into account. If you want to figure out the price of the termite treatment service for your own property, take a look at this list of factors that will be taken into account. This is mainly to get an idea, this isn’t necessarily a complete list so there could be items we forgot about.

Running any service-oriented business is expensive so when you opt for lower prices, fewer items from this list may be utilized. For example, opting for a larger company with bigger prices may be very helpful in the event that you have a problem with the termite treatment or anything in your home is damaged because a bigger company might have better insurance than a cheaper one.

To ensure your satisfaction and protection, the termite treatment needs to be done by a professional that knows and abides by state and federal regulations. That’s why older companies with years of experience behind them could be the better choice. Not all states require the pest control techs to be tested but most states will require certification and/or registration of their techs.

If You Want To Build a House, You Will Probably Spend This Much

The differences between a small company and a large one could involve:

• Licenses and Taxes,
• Insurances [now including Obama Care for larger companies]
• Business expenses, staff, and office supplies, [smaller companies will need less staff so they have an advantage here.]
• Sales commission,
• Labor and training,
• Equipment, supplies, and upkeep,
• Cost of chemical or bait,

Additional Costs and Considerations

There is also the possibility of having to pay some additional fees, depending on whether you need further treatment for termite reappearance, termite monitoring stations, or a termite protection plan. The condition of your foundation as well as the whole extent of the damage to your home should also be taken into consideration for proper budgeting.

Termite Monitoring Stations

To check for termite activity, professionals will use termite monitoring stations, which are very small receptacles that have to be placed in key areas around your house. These monitoring stations have to be checked monthly by a termite expert. As soon as any termites are found in these systems, the stations will be swapped out with new ones that will be treated with a slow-acting insecticide.

This is done to prevent any juvenile termites from becoming adults. Each of these monitors will be priced at about $40, while the bait inside will cost about $135 for a box of six pieces.

The Type of Damage

Termites are very dangerous for your home and can cause quite extensive damage. Some types of termites are even known to eat as much as 13 ounces of wood each day when in bigger colonies. Treating the termite infestation is considered the first step of the process. Repairing any damage that the home has taken due to these pests is another expensive step.

Usually, you will spend around $1,900 on attic insulation, while repairing framing should cost $1,100 or more. When cleaning and repairing a crawl space, prices might go up to $6,000 or more. Termites not only love drywall, but they will also eat the paper lining. Drywall repair is something that is known to cost at least $500.

Foundation Condition

Through the tunnels they build, termites can travel below the foundation of your house. They can then burrow in the cracks of the foundation itself where they will eat through the wood framing structure. It’s enough to notice swarms of termites somewhere near your house to know for sure that you have an infestation. An infestation that goes longer without being treated will lead to more damage to that house.

Termite Reappearance

The bad news is that you’re never certain termites won’t reappear after treatments. This shouldn’t be blamed on the quality of work or the effectiveness of the products. It’s just that living creatures, especially those that like to infest certain areas and then grow into big colonies, as termites do, are very hard to remove completely and will continue to multiply when they get the chance.

Termites can always come back, although most termite treatments are made to last about 5 years. Since termites are aggressive pests, your home might need another treatment, and monitoring stations can help you to keep the situation under control. If you sign a contract with a pest treatment company, then a team of exterminators will usually come back for free or at a really low rate whenever termites reappear and have to be removed.

Figure the Average Cost of Termite Treatments For Pre-Construction

If you are building a new structure, like a storage shed, a garage, or even a house, you will need to treat the foundation prior to pouring concrete floors or footings, if you want to do it the right way. You will figure the price by how many square feet are in the structure.

If your structure is too small and you want to hire a professional company, there is usually a minimum charge per project. Expect to pay a price of $.20 to $.45 per sq. ft. for a decent job. Here’s an example: a garage measures 30 feet by 40 feet = 1200 sq. ft x $.30 per sq. ft. = $360 for the treatment. This is a ballpark figure to help you understand how the pricing process works. Considering the factors below, the figures might be higher or lower:

• Which treatment type you choose (repellent, non-repellent, or bait system)
• The type of insurance you have,
• And which Termite Company you call, large companies usually have more overhead expenses.

If you are thinking of an annual renewal contract, a good price is anywhere between $100 and $200.

Cost by Type

The cost will be affected but by the size of the area that will have to be treated and the termite treatment that will be used. Your home’s specific needs, the severity of the infestation, as well as the species of termite, will dictate the type of treatment to be used.

Chemical Extermination

Most chemical treatments are priced between $3 and $16 per linear foot. These make use of a liquid termiticide. It can be anything from permethrin to imidacloprid, fipronil, bifenthrin, or arsenic trioxide and it will be sprayed around but also on the foundation as a way of eliminating and then repelling termites.

They will most likely also be applied on wood, chemically treated building materials, baits, and even the soil itself. It is considered the most common of all the methods used to get rid of drywood or subterranean termites. The same practice will also be used when it comes to infestations that are yet to take over your whole house and at the moment are centralized at the foundation level.

Termite Micro Treatment

Termite micro treatment means placing chemical termiticides in a certain area that you control or making use of a non-chemical electro or microwave system. When choosing this method, the pest control professional will have to drill holes into the infested areas so that they can deposit the termiticide directly inside.

The electro or microwave tool will have to be applied directly to the area when it comes to the non-chemical option. If you’re faced with a small infestation that only covers an area you can control, then micro treatment is your best choice. Expect a price between $4 and $15 for chemical micro treatments, while microwave or electro treatments will have a single cost of up to $1,150.

Termite Treatment With Bait

Most termite bait treatments will cost between $8 and $13 per linear foot. Termite bait will use a product such as paper or wood that has been thoroughly treated with termiticide. The baits will be placed in drilled holes made in the ground, away from your home so that termites are lured away.

When they find the bait. they will go back to the nest and infest the rest of the termites. This method works best against subterranean termites. The bad part about this treatment is that additional costs may pile up, as the number of termite traps needed grows, and it isn’t a very reliable method either.

Liquid Termiticide

Most home improvement stores will have liquid termiticide options ready for purchase. Depending on the application and the termite variety, the efficacy of these products will vary. A DIY approach will usually be less likely to stick being less potent than professional application. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA approves safe usage of liquid termiticides as long as you apply them properly. Be ready to spend between $8 and $25 for the average liquid termiticide product.

Tenting and Heat Treatment

Expect to spend around $11 per linear foot for heat treatment, which means that the final cost can be closer to $2,200 depending on the linear footage you have at hand. This chemical-free solution is fully organic. It is done by tenting the entire home and then pumping it with hot air to raise the general temperature to about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. It is known that insects like Termites have a hard time surviving when the temperature of the structural wood stays at a temperature of over 120 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 30 minutes. As soon as the house is de-tented and it manages to cool back down, residents will be able to live in it without issues. All of this process shouldn’t last more than 8 hours.

Fumigation

The usual termite fumigation treatment should cost somewhere between $10 to $20 per linear foot or around $1,200 to $2,400 in full. This method will also be done after a complete tenting of the house, but the toxic fumes will have to be pumped into the tent instead of hot air to eliminate termites. The bad news about this technique is that not only people but also pets and plants will have to move from the house for a few days after it is done. This is a process used mostly to get rid of drywood termites.

Do You Need a Termite Treatment?

According to termite experts, any sign of termite presence should warrant immediate action. Although termites are among the most aggressive insects and it is pretty difficult to get rid of them, professionals that know what they’re doing can surely eliminate these pests. Below you will find a few reasons for the need for termite treatment.

There Are Signs of Termites

You will only be able to schedule termite treatment in time if you are able to recognize the signs of a termite infestation. Although swarms of termites are a pretty clear sign that you are having a problem, you should also look for mud tunnels around your house.

Wood damage might also be seen in flooring and furniture or behind walls. Hollowed-out wood, discoloration, termite droppings that look just like sawdust, dropped wings or small holes in drywall, are all reasons for you to consider calling a professional.

You had an Infestation in the Past

If your house has already had an infestation in the past, a lot of professional pest control companies will offer treatment plans and discounts for another treatment.

It’s Regular Inspection Time

If you aren’t sure whether you have a termite problem or not, then you should schedule a termite inspection. Termite inspection costs will be between $50 and $300, although the national average is $100. You should know that most companies will offer free assessments to current owners and new houses in particular should pass a termite inspection to keep the homeowner protected.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

For some people, the thought of saving some money by treating the home for termites as a DIY project sounds very tempting. Most people opting for DIY termite treatments will either use termiticides or termite baits that they purchase from home improvement stores.

Keep in mind that according to experts, most DIY methods are ineffective when it comes to termite infestations, although some preventative measures are known to work. Professionals recommend that you contact a pest control company to treat any active infestation around your home. This is because, when you’re seeing termites, there’s a big chance that they have already done a lot of damage to your home.

Many termite removal companies will offer guarantees that they will eliminate this threat from your home, bringing you peace of mind. Termite examination professionals have the necessary knowledge to determine the exact termite species you’re dealing with, see the severity of the infestation and know exactly what treatment will work best in your case to keep your home safe and treat it in full.

How to Save Money on the Cost of Termite Treatment

The average cost for termite treatment can easily rise to unthinkable amounts when you add additional fees associated with the termite extermination service. Although a DIY project might seem like a great way to save money, there is always the danger of putting your family’s lives at risk or damaging your home.

Here are other, more intelligent ways to save money on termite treatment costs.

• Purchase a termite home inspection plan. You can save money by using termite home inspection maintenance plans. A professional company can carry out inspections two times per year or even monthly, depending on your needs. These inspections will give a professional the chance of checking traps and bait. They are usually priced between $30 and $60.
• Look for multiple quotes. You might be able to save money if you contact three or more pest companies and pick the best price out of the three or more offers you get.
• Use liquid chemicals. Liquid termiticides are among the least expensive treatment methods.