How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost?

When you’re dealing with a termite infestation, you want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Termites are capable of causing massive destruction to your home, resulting in thousands of dollars in damages. According to Forbes, the average cost of termite treatment is $575, but it also depends on what type of treatment you receive based on your home's needs.

Types of Termite Treatment

There are various termite treatment options when you’re looking to get rid of these pests. To figure out what option is best for your home, consult with a local termite exterminator. The types of termite treatments include:

Liquid Treatments ($3 to $10 a linear foot)

Liquid termite treatment requires digging a trench around the entire perimeter of your home, then pouring in a termiticide (mixed with water) to create a barrier in the soil that prevents termites from accessing your home. When termites do come into contact with the barrier, it kills the individuals, keeping any from finding food on the far side and using pheromones to lead other worker termites to the wood in your home. In general, this barrier lasts 5 years before the chemicals naturally degrade. 

Bait Treatments ( $8 to $12 per linear foot)

Baiting termites is generally less labor-intensive than liquid treatments, as a technician installs bait stations every 8-10 feet around the perimeter of your home. Each bait station is 2-3 inches wide and 6-10 inches tall, so small holes need to be dug for each station around the home. The bait attracts termites as if it were wood, but when worker termites bring the “food” back to the colony, it kills the queen and therefore the entire colony. 

Wood Treatments

Direct wood treatments involve either spraying a termiticide on the surface of wood or by injecting a liquid or foam product that kills active termites and protects the wood from future infestation. This method requires having access to exposed wood or drilling through drywall so you can inject it into wood. Sometimes, direct wood treatments are done during the construction of a house, before studs and plywood have been insulated and drywalled over to deter an infestation. Direct wood treatment tends to be a more localized termite solution, only protecting the treated areas, instead of the entire structure of the home.

• Tenting: To either fumigate or heat treat an entire house for termites, a pest control company will erect an airtight tent of tarps around the home, then pump it with termite-killing aerosols or extreme heat. For fumigant treatment, the cost averages between $1,280 to $3,000, or $1-4 per square foot, while heat treatment averages between $800 and $1200, or $1-2.50 per foot, according to HomeGuide.com. Heat and fumigant treatment get rid of a current termite infestation but don’t prevent future ones. 

• Fumigation: Once tarps cover the entire house, contractors will pump it with a fumigant lethal to termites. Fumigation requires clearing plants and unsealed foods from your house, and leaving it vacant for 1-3 days while the fumigant infiltrates every square inch of your home, killing termites. 

• Heat Treatments: Heat treatment for termites is similar to fumigant treatment except it is quicker (usually about a day) and uses high heat to kill termites instead of chemicals. You would still need to empty your house of plants and anything heat sensitive, but you only need to be out of the house for a day.

How Long Does Termite Treatment Last?

It depends on the treatment. While tenting treatments eliminate a current infestation, they do nothing to prevent future infestations. Liquid treatments last up to 5 years (though it will vary by product), and bait treatments can last indefinitely, as long as you regularly replace the bait in each station. If borax is used for direct wood treatment, it also lasts indefinitely because it is a chemically stable substance; once soaked into the wood it will kill any termites that eat it.

Termite control is complicated, so when in doubt, call your local pest control professional. If you’re located in Southern Utah, get in touch with Western Pest Control for the best care, results, and efficiency in solving your termite problem.