Understanding Termite Treatment Costs: Factors, Pricing, and Budgeting Guide (2024)

Understanding how termite companies price jobs can help you estimate removal expenses. Pest control professionals consider the following factors when determining the cost of removing termites from a home.

Severity of Infestation

The severity of the termite infestation directly affects the price a homeowner will pay for pest control services. If you have a small infestation and catch it early, you could solve the problem with DIY traps that cost a few hundred dollars. But if your home has a large infestation, you will likely need to hire professionals to get the job done. You can save money by watching for the most common signs of termites and acting fast if you see them.

Type of Termite

Most termites damage wood structures, but some types are more destructive. Some experts call subterranean termites the most harmful termites a homeowner can face. Their ability to stay hidden, combined with aggressive feeding habits, make them a significant threat to wood framing, wood floors and wood roof structures. In extreme cases, untreated subterranean termites can cause a house to collapse.

Other types of termites are less destructive. Dampwood termites require more moisture than subterranean termites to survive and usually colonize in smaller areas with high humidity levels. Their concentrated location makes this type of termite easier to treat than subterranean termites. Less destructive and invasive termite species require less time and fewer resources to treat, leading to a less expensive bill.

Size of the Property

Termites are persistent and invasive and may eat through multiple rooms in your home. As a general rule, expect to pay more for termite treatment if the pests have invaded your entire home and if your home has many rooms. Expect to pay more if you have to apply termite bait and traps on exterior parts of your property.

Treatment Used

Pest control companies have multiple ways to treat termites, with the best treatment method largely coming down to the type of termite and the size of the infestation. If you need to use a larger and more labor-intensive method, such as fumigation, expect to pay more. Consider budgeting for additional preventative services like liquid barrier application to avoid future re-infestation.

When you schedule termite control services, you can better prepare by asking the extermination company how it will bill you before agreeing to a rate. Most termite extermination services use one of three pricing models: per-linear-foot, per-square-foot and custom estimates. The best billing method for you depends on the size of your home and the magnitude of your termite problem.

Per-linear-foot pricing is one of the most common pricing methods for pest control companies that offer termite barrier treatments, which aim to eliminate any points of entry for termites. Under this pricing model, companies calculate cost based on the linear footage of the structure perimeter that needs treating. Companies that perform interior treatments may base pricing on the total square footage that needs protection. The company will measure the treatment space during the initial home visit. Also, larger homes usually get billed at a higher rate.

One-time treatment options like foam injections and fumigation can have variable pricing structures. With this model, pest control professionals inspect the property (for free) to assess the extent of the infestation, the complexity of the home layout and the amount of treatment needed. Based on the assessment, the company creates a customized cost estimate for termite treatment.

We recommend you request quotes from multiple providers to ensure you get a fair estimate from a termite control company. By getting multiple quotes, you can compare prices and get a feel for how a company is to work with. If you already know which company you want to hire, securing quotes from other providers may help you negotiate a lower price with your preferred exterminator.

Termite treatments vary in methods and costs. Professional pest exterminators will likely offer the following treatment options:

• Liquid barrier treatments: A technician applies liquid termiticides around a structure’s foundation to create a barrier that termites can’t cross. The barrier either repels or kills termites on contact, which effectively prevents and treats termite infestations. However, this method may not be suitable for treating large active infestations.
• Bait systems: This method uses bait stations containing cellulose, a wood byproduct many termite species like to eat. In this case, termites digest poison-laced cellulose and take it back to their colonies. Bait stations can be effective in removing specific termite colonies. This treatment method is eco-friendly — toxins don’t spread as widely in the environment as with other options.
• Fumigation: Reserved for the most serious termite problems, fumigation is a drastic solution that involves enclosing an entire structure in a tent and using gas to kill off termites. The gas most often used for drywood termites is sulfuryl fluoride, which is also dangerous to humans and pets. You likely will need to leave your home during the tenting. Experts also recommend fumigation to kill termites infiltrating various areas of a building. Unlike other termite treatments, gas can penetrate the entire structure, killing termites in inaccessible areas. Fumigation has the highest average cost, and pest control companies usually recommend it as a last resort. The poison gas can damage furniture and cause lasting health effects.

• Foam treatments: Foam treatments are chemicals that exterminators can apply as spot treatments to vulnerable areas. This method of chemical treatment involves injecting foam termiticides into wall voids, voids beneath slabs, crawl spaces and other secluded areas where termites create nests. As the foam expands, it delivers targeted treatments, making it a good choice for subterranean termites and termites living in materials where it is difficult to apply treatment directly.

The table below summarizes the average cost of each type of termite treatment.

*Pricing data sourced from HomeAdvisor and Pest Extinct. 

Termite treatment pricing is highly individualized. National average pricing may not reflect your termite situation. We suggest requesting price estimates from multiple pest control services to better determine your treatment costs.

As you deal with a termite infestation, you might notice that the colony damaged your home’s structure. Termite colonies only form where insects can feed on surrounding wood, but a large colony can cause significant structural damage. If termites nest in your home’s foundation, you may need a home inspection to locate areas where structure damage repair is necessary.

Consider budgeting for more active termite prevention after your termite treatment. In addition to watching for common signs of termites, you can invest in liquid perimeter deterrent treatments that repel termites. You can also remove trees to dispose of rotting wood, dead stumps, logs or other debris on your property, which are breeding grounds for termites.

Regular home inspections and preventative treatments can save you money on termite protection costs. However, the initial cost of removing an infestation can be significant. Many pest control companies offer flexible payment plans so you can spread out the cost of termite treatment over several months if needed.

Compared to professional termite treatment options, DIY solutions cost significantly less. Based on our research, you can buy a gallon of liquid perimeter termite treatment from some retail outlets for less than $100.

While DIY treatments are more affordable than professional services, experts recommend professional intervention in most cases. If not removed effectively, termites can cause significant damage to the foundation and drywall of your home. If you apply termite treatments yourself, you could miss warning signs that suggest your home is structurally unsound. A professional termite inspector can spot potential trouble areas and create strategic treatments, minimizing the chemicals used in your home.

Termites can be challenging to eliminate without the expertise and specialized products pest control professionals provide. We recommend starting off with a professional termite inspection for medium to large infestations.

It is important to address termite activity as soon as you notice signs, such as termite droppings, around your property. While some homeowners may have an emergency fund to cover termite services, you can also consider other budgeting and finance options to cover treatment costs.

• Consult with your insurance: Most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover termite infestation removals because insurers consider the problem preventable. However, if termites caused considerable damage to your home’s foundation, your insurance coverage may help pay for some repairs. Consult an insurance representative to discuss your options and review the details of your coverage.

• Ask about financing: Some pest control companies have financing options that allow you to spread out the cost of treatment over multiple months. You make a smaller, more manageable payment each month rather than one large lump-sum payment upfront.

• Consider a home equity loan: Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and home equity loans allow you to tap into the equity you’ve built in your home over time by making loan payments. A home equity solution may be appropriate if your termite damage cost is estimated in the thousands.
• Household emergency funds: If possible for your situation, setting aside a few dollars a month for a household emergency fund can help cover unexpected situations. Having funds to cover pests like termites, bed bugs, or mice allows you to act immediately, limiting future damage these critters can do to your property.

Unlike pests like gnats and cockroaches, termites can cause significant damage to your entire house. It’s important to act fast if you notice signs of termites on your property. Ignoring the problem can cause damage to your home’s structure, which can cost thousands of dollars to repair — and, in some extreme cases, make your property dangerous to live in.

While you can opt for DIY treatment methods, working with a professional termite exterminator can help eliminate the problem and prevent future infestations. Get a free quote and schedule your termite inspection with a few of our top-rated providers below.

Sarah Horvath is one of the home service industry’s most accomplished writers. Her specialties include writing about home warranties, insurance, home improvement and household finances. You can find her writing published through distributors like HouseMethod, Architectural Digest, Good Housekeeping and more. When not writing, she enjoys spending time in her home in Orlando with her fiance and parrot.

Tori Addison is an editor with over five years of experience in the digital marketing industry. Her includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.