Termite Treatment Cost Guide (2026)

Termite damage costs U.S. homeowners an estimated $5 billion per year — and most homeowners insurance policies don't cover it. The treatment itself is manageable. The structural repair that follows an undetected infestation is where costs spiral.

Catching termites early and choosing the right treatment method determines whether you spend $500 or $15,000.

Termite Treatment Cost Overview

By treatment type:

• Liquid soil treatment (termiticide): $300–$1,500
• Bait station system: $800–$3,000 (includes installation + monitoring)
• Spot/localized treatment: $300–$800
• Tent fumigation (drywood termites): $1,200–$3,500 for an average home
• Heat treatment: $800–$2,500

By home size (fumigation):

• Under 1,000 sqft: $1,000–$1,800
• 1,000–2,000 sqft: $1,500–$2,500
• 2,000–3,000 sqft: $2,000–$3,500
• Over 3,000 sqft: $3,000–$5,000+

Structural damage repair is separate from treatment and ranges from a few hundred dollars for minor wood repair to $10,000–$50,000+ for beam replacement or foundation sill plate damage.

Subterranean vs. Drywood Termites

The species matters more than anything else for choosing the right treatment. Getting this wrong means the treatment doesn't work.

Subterranean termites (most common in the US, especially in the South and California) live in the soil and build mud tubes up into the structure. They are the most destructive species. Treatment targets the soil and the colony, not just the visible wood damage.

Drywood termites (common in coastal California, Florida, Hawaii, and the Southwest) live inside the wood itself — no soil connection, no mud tubes. They require different treatment strategies because you're targeting termites inside the material, not in the ground.

Dampwood termites attack wet or decaying wood. Fix the moisture source and they typically leave. Treatment is often secondary to identifying and repairing the water intrusion.

Knowing which species you're dealing with determines whether liquid termiticide, bait stations, or fumigation is the right call.

Treatment Methods Explained

Liquid Soil Treatment (Termiticide Barrier)

Used for subterranean termites. A termiticide (typically Termidor, containing fipronil, or Altriset, containing chlorantraniliprole) is injected into the soil around the foundation perimeter. Termites that pass through the treated zone pick up the chemical and transfer it to the colony.

This is the most common and cost-effective approach for subterranean termites. One application typically provides 5–10 years of protection.

Cost: $300–$1,500 depending on linear footage of foundation treated.

Limitations: Doesn't work for drywood termites (no soil contact). Disturbing the treated soil barrier (landscaping, irrigation trenching) can break the protection.

Bait Station Systems

Stations are installed in the soil around the perimeter of the home, typically every 10–15 feet. Termites are attracted to the wood bait in the station, pick up a slow-acting growth inhibitor (hexaflumuron or noviflumuron), and carry it back to the colony.

This is a colony elimination approach rather than a barrier — it can take weeks or months to eliminate the colony. Most pest control companies sell bait systems as ongoing service contracts that include annual monitoring and bait replenishment.

Cost: $800–$3,000 for initial installation, plus $200–$400/year for monitoring.

Best for: Homeowners who want ongoing monitoring and a non-chemical approach. Slower than liquid treatment. The Spectracide Terminate Detection & Killing Stakes are a DIY bait station option — 15 stakes with pop-up indicators that signal when termite activity is detected. Effective for monitoring and catching early subterranean activity before a full infestation establishes. (Affiliate link)

Spot Treatment

For localized drywood termite activity in an accessible area, a pest control professional may drill into the wood and inject a termiticide (typically bifenthrin or imidacloprid) directly into the galleries where termites are feeding.

This works only when the infestation is contained. If the termites have spread to multiple areas, spot treatment leaves active colonies untreated.

Cost: $300–$800 for one or two treatment points.

Tent Fumigation (Drywood Termites)

The home is enclosed in a tent of tarps and sulfuryl fluoride gas is pumped in at concentrations lethal to all life stages of drywood termites. The house must be vacated for 24–72 hours. This is the only method that reaches termites in every cavity, wall void, and inaccessible space.

Cost: $1,200–$3,500 for average homes (priced per cubic foot of enclosed structure, typically $1–$2/cubic foot).

What you must do before fumigation:

• Remove all people, pets, and plants
• Remove or double-bag food, medications, and opened containers
• Remove or treat houseplants separately
• Inform your neighbors (required by law in some states)

Limitations: No residual protection — termites can re-infest after fumigation. Many pest control companies offer a follow-up warranty (typically 1–2 years) with retreatment if new activity appears.

Heat Treatment

Portable heaters raise the internal temperature of the structure (or targeted areas) above 120°F for 30–60 minutes, killing all life stages of drywood termites. No chemicals, no tent required for localized treatment, but full-structure heat treatment still requires vacating.

Cost: $800–$2,500 depending on scope.

Limitations: Can damage heat-sensitive materials (vinyl records, candles, some electronics, wine). Doesn't penetrate to areas with good thermal mass (thick lumber). Rarely used for subterranean termites.

When You Need Structural Repair

Treatment kills the termites. It does not fix the wood they damaged.

After treatment, a contractor or structural engineer should assess the damaged framing:

Minor damage (surface galleries, intact structural integrity): Replace the damaged wood members. Typically $500–$3,000.

Sill plate damage (the framing member that sits directly on the foundation): Sill plate replacement is labor-intensive because it requires lifting the structure. Expect $2,000–$8,000+ depending on the length of damaged plate and accessibility.

Floor joist damage: Damaged joists are typically sistered (a new joist sistered alongside the damaged one). Cost: $300–$800 per joist.

Beam damage: Structural beams supporting floors or roofs require engineering review before repair. Cost: $1,500–$15,000+ depending on beam size and accessibility.

Subfloor damage: If termites have penetrated the subfloor, panels must be replaced before new flooring is installed. Expect $3–$7/sqft for subfloor replacement.

The structural damage estimate should come from a licensed general contractor, not the pest control company — they have different incentives.

Termite Inspection Costs

Before treatment, you need an inspection to confirm the species, extent of infestation, and entry points. In California and most southern states, real estate transactions require a pest/termite inspection (Section 1 and Section 2 report in California).

Inspection cost: $50–$150 for a standalone inspection. Many pest control companies offer free inspections, but be aware their findings may be biased toward recommending treatment they profit from. An independent inspection gives you unbiased information.

What the inspection covers:

• Visible evidence of current or past activity (mud tubes, frass, damaged wood)
• Conditions conducive to infestation (wood-to-soil contact, moisture damage, poor ventilation)
• Accessible areas only — behind walls and under slabs are not typically visible

Choosing a Pest Control Company

• Verify the company holds a state pest control operator license
• Ask specifically which chemical will be used and get it in writing
• Ask about their warranty — retreatment included if activity returns within what timeframe?
• For fumigation, ask whether they use a Vikane certification technician on-site
• Get two estimates — pricing varies significantly

Avoid companies that pressure for immediate treatment without giving you time to get a second opinion. Active termite damage does not progress that quickly.

Prevention

• Eliminate wood-to-soil contact around the foundation
• Keep mulch 12" or more from the foundation and away from wood siding
• Fix all moisture and drainage issues — damp wood is termite habitat
• Screen attic and crawl space vents
• Caulk cracks in the foundation and around penetrations
• Schedule annual or biannual inspections if you're in a high-risk area (California, Florida, Gulf Coast, Hawaii)

A $150 annual inspection is far less expensive than a $10,000 structural repair.

Cost Summary