Last Updated October 12th, 2023: Controlling a termite infestation is necessary to curb property damage, but you often wonder how much does termite treatment cost? The price for a termite treatment depends on the intensity of the infestation, area size, degree of damage, colony size, and the number of treatments required. Once a termite infestation is established, it can be one of the most costly pests to control.
Termites can enter a home and establish colonies undetected. This can go on for years without being found out or noticed. In the US, an alarming average of 400, 000 buildings are devastated by termites every year. Billions of dollars have been spent on termite treatment annually.
How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost – Based On Type of Treatment
With 20 years of experience in the pest control industry, I’ve gotten a decent guage on what is a good price for termite treatments across the country. That being said you should shop around and ensure you’re getting a quote from a reputable company that follows safe and effective practices.
Here are some typical prices for termite treatments:
- Liquid Termite Treatment: $7 Per Linear Foot of House Perimeter
- Termite Bait Stations: $8-$10 Per Linear Foot of House Perimeter
- Termite Tenting: $1000-$10,000 For a Tent Treatment (Depends on Square Footage)
- Termite Heat Treatment: $3,000-$12,000 (Depends on Square Footage)
All these costs are averages and can depend on the size of your house, your location, the species of termite, and the severity of your infestation.
Liquid Termite Treatments
Liquid termite treatments generally cost around $7 per linear foot of the perimeter of your home.
Chemical termite treatments are termiticides in liquid form, used to treat soil around the exterior of buildings. They target surface infestations that aren’t very severe as well as act as termite prevention. Chemical treatments can eliminate subterranean and dry wood termites that build nests around soil and tend to invade buildings. Chemical insecticides commonly used include arsenic trioxide, bifenthrin, fipronil, Termidor, permethrin, and imidacloprid.
These chemical insecticides are prepared in suitable formulations to be effective in the treatment. Spray equipment can be used to apply the chemical treatment on the surface of infested or vulnerable areas. Small pockets can be dug in the soil around the building to pour a measured quantity.
Chemical treatments are effective but can be very potent and toxic, so they are mostly used outdoors. They can also be harmful to the soil and living things in it. This is why experts are required to carry out this treatment. It is imperative to properly prepare the required formulation to prevent altering the efficacy of the insecticide. It is also crucial to properly measure the volume of chemicals applied. Termite liquid treatments are often a great choice because they are one of the longest-lasting termite treatments available.
Termite Bait Treatments
Termite bait treatments generally cost around $8-$10 per linear foot of the perimeter of your home, but can also be based on monthly costs. If you pay monthly, it’ll generally be between $40-$70 per month depending on the severity of your termite infestation.
Bait treatments are another effective alternative to chemical treatments. They work by installing poisoned bait stations in soil pockets around it in the infested building. Bait can be damp wood or detritus. Visiting or inhabiting termites consume the bait or take it back to the colonies. The poison can be fed to the Queen, workers, and soldiers who eventually die.
Bait treatments can be less precise, costly, and require regular treatments. But they can wipe out colonies when they take effect. Bait stations can leave toxic residues that can harm non-target organisms, especially when used outdoors.
Tenting Treatments
Termite tenting is generally the most expensive but effective way to get rid of termites. Tent treatments are done by enclosing the building in a large tent and introducing termiticides into the building. Termite tenting treatment is expensive, as a tent can cost around $1000 to $3000, or between $4 to $19 by linear foot.
Tenting treatments are used to treat high termite infestations because they are more extensive. They can be used to cover more area than chemical or bait treatments. Professionals mostly use this treatment to eliminate termites inside the building, rather than outdoors. It can also be combined with fumigation techniques to reach the most difficult infested areas. View our guide on how long termite tenting takes.
Fumigation Treatments
Fumigation techniques are done like tent treatments but they are more intensive and effective. Fumigation involves the use of ruminant, which is a lethal gas termiticide. It is carried out by enclosing the building with a tent and pumping the fumigant into the building. A combination of fumigants can be used to improve efficacy.
Several hours should elapse for the fumigation process to be completed. All inhabitants of the building should remain outdoors for 3 to 6 days after treatment is done. As the ruminant fumes are toxic to inhale. Fumigant treatments are expensive, with a price range of $15 to $25 for every linear foot.
Heat Tenting Treatments
Termite heat treatment pricing can range from $750 to $3000 per treatment or $12 per linear foot.
Heat tenting is a non-toxic alternative to chemical treatments. Like tents, it is also an extensive treatment method that is used to cover large areas with high infestations. Heat tenting is done by enclosing the area with a tent to regulate the internal temperature. Steamy air is then pumped into the area to increase room temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This treatment lasts for about 8 hours, requiring all inhabitants to vacate.
The temperature of wood structures is monitored to around 130 degrees Fahrenheit, which is unfavorable for termites and causes them to leave. Once the temperature is back to normal, the occupants can move back into the building. Heat treatments are chemical-free but not long-lasting. So, they can be combined with normal tent treatments. One of the benefits of heat treatments is that it only takes a few hours to get rid of termites!
Factors That Affect The Cost of Termite Treatment
Type of Termite
Generally, there are three known types of termite pests: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites. These types have different activities, habitats, and preferred areas of damage. Drywood termites prefer to attack and inhabit wood. They can live without much moisture and can build nests in wood structures. The price range of eliminating dry wood termite ranges from $200 to $2600. Chemical and tenting treatments are mostly used to eliminate them. Subterranean and dampwood termites live in soil and can cost around $900 to control. They can be removed with bait stations and chemical treatments.
Degree of infestation
Highly infested buildings usually cost more, compared to low ones. Also, signs of infestations are usually more pronounced. There is the presence of mud tunnels, wood holes, termite droppings, and discarded wings around wood structures.
Building Size
Treatments in large houses are usually more expensive as there are more areas to be covered. A localized infested area with a building can be targeted. But it is advised to do a holistic inspection of the building in case of overlooked areas. The cost of treating a whole building is around $2000 and a move, depending on its size.
What Is The Most Effective Treatment For Termites?
Termite tenting and fumigation is the most effective treatment for termites! This involves enclosing the entire infected area (generally the entire building) in tenting and using a chemical gas such as sulfuryl fluoride to kill all the termites in and around the property.
Final Thought On The Cost Of Termite Treatments
Controlling termites is daunting but I hope this guide on how much does termite treatment cost has been helpful to you! This is why it is advised to feel professional help. Usually, pest control services are expensive but can be effective in ridding you of termites. Most pest companies use treatments such as chemical insecticide, bait, and tent treatments. These treatments work to poison the termites. Heat can be used as in heat tent treatments instead of chemicals to remove termites. The cost of termite treatment depends on several factors such as the type of termites, building size, number of treatments, and degree of infestations.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide and I hope it’s answered the question of how much does termite treatment cost!