Owning a home comes with lots of responsibilities. It's now your job to fix plumbing issues, repair flooring issues and make sure pests, such as termites, don't wreak havoc on your house.
Contributed by: Doug Webb
Updated on: August 5
Your home is likely the biggest investment you'll make, so you want to protect it and treat it well. While Terminix® can't help you decide whether to go with tile floors or carpeting, we do have a few insights for you about termite treatment costs and the damage an infestation can cause.
How much does it cost to treat termites?
If you have a termite infestation, you'll want to immediately hire a professional exterminator for termites from a reputable termite control company to treat it.
Terminix has long been an industry leader in termite control, being the first ever pest control company to obtain a patent for termite control. Prices may vary from one company to the next, but ultimately, you get what you pay for. For a job as important as termite treatment, trust the pros with over 95 years of experience.
So how much is termite treatment? The average cost of termite treatment with Terminix ranges between about $400 and $1,500 annually, with the national average being around $1,0001 annually. A termite service plan, which does not include a damage repair guarantee, may cost as low as $69 per month. Meanwhile, a plan that incorporates different types of termite treatment can cost as high as $1,700. However, no two homes are exactly alike, and there are a variety of factors that can affect the price of a service. Read on to learn more about what could affect the price of your termite service.
Related: How to Prevent Termites When Building a New Home
Termite damage repair cost
Taking measures to proactively protect your home from termites proves the old adage: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When weighing the cost of preventative termite treatment, homeowners should seriously consider the potential cost of termite damage. Each year, termites cause an estimated $5 billion worth of damage in the United States alone, according to the National Pest Management Association.2
Factors that affect termite treatment cost
Since termite treatments are customized to your situation, there's no simple answer as to how much you are likely to spend. The cost for termite treatment can vary significantly depending on many factors, some of which include:
- Type of termites
- Size of your home
- Construction type of your home
- Type of treatments needed
- Where in the country you live
Fortunately, initial termite inspections with Terminix are 100% FREE. Schedule an appointment today to get an exact quote for how much your termite treatment will cost.
Meanwhile, let's discuss these cost factors further.
Types of termites
The most common types of termites in the United States are drywood, dampwood, and subterranean termites. Due to the different habits of each of these species of termite, the cost of a treatment plan depends on the type of termite that infests your home. Termite control professionals are trained to identify the types of termites in your home and create a termite control plan specific to your needs.
Size of your home
The cost of termite extermination depends on the area that professional exterminators need to inspect and treat. If you want to get a quote for the extermination procedure, you need to factor in your home's size and dimensions.
For example, a larger home will generally cost more to treat than a smaller home, though some exceptions may apply. To be sure, schedule a free termite inspection today.
Construction type of your home
The construction type of your home is also an important factor when it comes to the cost of termite treatment services. Most importantly, the foundation type of your home will determine how much it costs to treat your home for termites. Homes with a conventional foundation (crawlspace) or basement foundation tend to cost more than homes with a slab foundation. There are even different types of slab construction which can affect the cost of treatment.
Type of treatments needed
The cost may also depend on the type of treatment:
- Liquid treatments cost – A liquid termiticide barrier is applied around the foundation of the house.
- Bait treatments cost – Bait stations are placed in the ground around the home. Termites then carry the insecticide back to their colony.
- Structural fumigation cost – If you're dealing with a drywood termite infestation, your inspector may recommend fumigation, which will require you to leave your home for several days.
Where in the country you live
Your location has a direct effect on the cost of termite treatment. In some states or regions, the price may be lower than in others.
For example, in the northeast, termite control is sometimes easier to manage than in the southern part of the country, where Formosan termites are more prevalent. The Formosan is a species of aggressive subterranean termite that is generally more difficult to control. They thrive in warmer climates, and have been found in a number of states in the southeastern part of the country, as well as California and Hawaii.
Termite inspection cost
To evaluate the full extent of your termite treatment cost, a professional termite exterminator needs to inspect your home. Once they complete the inspection, they can provide a quote for the services you will need.
Although some companies charge for an initial termite inspection, with Terminix, the initial termite inspection cost is free. After having your home inspected, you can decide whether or not to purchase a termite contract. Once a trained technician has inspected your home and property, he or she will work with you to customize a termite treatment plan that best suits your situation and needs.
Can I treat my home for termites?
Entomologists and termite control experts alike strongly caution against DIY termite treatment. When it comes to protecting your home from termites, quick and effective treatment is key.
Without annual professional inspections, an active termite infestation can go on for years without being detected. By the time you spot signs of termite activity, the damage could be extensive. An annual inspection can help you uncover signs of termite damage before it becomes catastrophic — and costly. Annual termite inspections are part of termite contracts with Terminix.
DIY termite treatment could actually end up making the infestation worse. Someone who isn't trained to identify termites and which proper termite control method to use would likely treat the termite infestation incorrectly. Not only would that cost the homeowner time, but termites could be doing more damage to the home, which could cost the homeowner more money as well.
Some of the most common termite signs are:
- Discarded wings
- Mud tubes
- Wood damage found below and behind surfaces like walls, floors and more
- Termite droppings (for Drywood termites only)
- Hollowed wood
- Blisters in wood flooring
here are some things you can do in and around your home to help mitigate the risk of a termite infestation. Termite prevention methods include:
- Keeping shrubbery trimmed at least 1 foot away from your home's structure
- Pointing all sprinkler heads and downspouts away from your home's foundation
- Keeping your crawl space as dry as possible
- Use pine needles or synthetic mulch in your flower beds instead of wood mulch
- Generally maintaining your home's exterior and immediately having any water leaks repaired
These tips above will help keep your home and the area around your home's structure and foundation dry, thus less conducive to termite activity. However, these measures alone cannot stop a termite infestation. Only a trained professional exterminator can provide proper assurance that your home is protected from termites.
Is termite treatment covered by insurance?
Termite damage is generally not covered by your homeowner's insurance. This is because most insurance companies consider termite damage something that can be prevented by home maintenance.
Even if you don't see any signs of termite damage yet, every homeowner should arrange a termite inspection at least once a year. Terminix termite protection plans include annual inspections to help ensure homes are protected from termites.
If your house qualifies, Terminix offers termite plans that can provide your home with ongoing protection from termites and the damage they cause. These plans come with annual inspections from a trained termite control professional to look for any new signs of a termite infestation. It's important that homeowners have these inspections completed every year, even if their home was recently treated for termites.
What is the most effective treatment for termites?
For effective termite treatment, avoid DIY methods and instead hire a trained termite control professional.
Termite treatment comes in two main categories: baits and liquids. You should avoid common DIY termite treatment solutions you find online, like vinegar, rubbing alcohol and nematodes, as these methods are largely ineffective. You may have some success killing the termites you treat directly, but you will have a difficult time killing the entire colony. And during this time, the termite colony can continue to grow and cause damage to your home.
A trained termite control professional will know which method to use and exactly how to use it, based on your particular issue and home.
Is termite treatment worth it?
Termite treatment is absolutely worth the money you will pay. Your home is probably the largest investment you will ever make. Termite inspections and termite prevention measures are just part of responsible homeownership, and can save on costly repairs in the long run. Schedule a free termite inspection with Terminix today.
(1) Average costs based on nationwide Terminix termite treatments completed from June 10, 2021 through June 10, 2022. Repair and treatment costs may vary. Not all homes qualify for a damage repair guarantee. See Plan for details and limitations.
(2) According to the National Pest Management Association, termites alone cause over $5 billion in property damage annually, a cost not covered by most homeowners' insurance plans.