Pest control professionals offer a range of services for termite infestations. The cost of these services varies, depending on the size and type of the infestation and the treatment methods used.

Liquid termiticides form a protective barrier and are less expensive than other treatments. In severe cases, experts recommend gas fumigation. This involves tenting and sealing the house before exposing it to lethal gas that kills termites.

Termite Inspection

Before any affordable termite control plan begins, a professional should perform an inspection. Your inspector will search high and low for signs of a termite infestation. They will look for indentations, mud tunnels, shed wings, and more to determine the extent of the infestation. They will also evaluate areas where water damage can occur. Exterior wooden structures that are in direct contact with the ground are more susceptible to termite invasion. The inspection may take up to two hours for large homes or just 30 minutes for small, easy-to-access homes.

Some companies offer free inspections to homeowners who maintain their pest control contracts annually. Others include these inspections in the cost of treatment plans. Inspecting your home on a regular basis can help prevent a serious termite infestation and keep your family safe.

The best way to find a quality provider is to ask around and get recommendations from trusted sources. This includes friends, neighbors, and real estate professionals who have experience with termite control services in your area. You can also use online resources to find providers and read customer reviews. Look for companies that have an excellent reputation and clear service contracts.

Termites are voracious creatures and can cause substantial damage if not eliminated in time. Preventative maintenance and routine inspections can reduce the risk of termite infestation, but these critters are always lurking somewhere. If you’re looking to purchase a new home, ask the seller for proof of a current or past termite infestation. Having this documentation in hand can help you negotiate the price of the home or ask the seller to pay for additional termite treatments to ensure that you move into a pest-free home.

Termite Treatment

Termite infestations can cause structural damage to homes, and can be very difficult to eliminate once they've become established. That's why it's important to contact a professional at the first sign of an infestation. DIY treatments, even when using over-the-counter products, may not be effective against a full colony of termites, and delaying treatment can lead to expensive repair bills later on.

Generally, the cost of a termite treatment depends on several factors, including the size and severity of the infestation and the type of treatment. Termite control specialists use a wide variety of methods to eradicate and prevent termites, including heat, fumigation, and liquid treatment. The type of treatment required also depends on the state and local climate. Subterranean termites are most common in the South, while drywood termites thrive in arid states like Arizona and California.

A thorough termite inspection should include a visual examination of the interior and exterior of your home, and a soil test to identify the presence of subterranean or drywood termites. The inspection should also cover all accessible crawl spaces and attics, as well as the roof, foundation, decks, sheds, and fences.

Liquid-soil termite treatments, such as Terminix's OnGuard Protection, are a long-lasting and effective barrier against both subterranean and drywood termites. A trained technician digs a trench around your home and applies a liquid termiticide to the soil. The soil treated protects the area surrounding your home for an average of 5 years. Other effective barriers include termite bait stations, which consist of wood-filled traps that attract and kill termites as they pass by. These can be effective in controlling local termite infestations, but require monitoring and maintenance to ensure that they contain active bait.

Termite Fumigation

When a termite infestation has spread to hard-to-reach places, such as inside walls and crevices, fumigation is the treatment method of choice. During fumigation, a toxic gas called sulfuryl fluoride (or SF6) circulates throughout the home, killing the termites and also destroying their food source. A specialized tent encases the home during this process, ensuring that all areas are treated. Tenting can be a messy, expensive, and inconvenient process, but it’s one of the most effective treatments available.

If you choose to have your home fumigated, make sure that all valuables and personal belongings are either taken away or double bagged in plastic bags to avoid fumigant leakage. Similarly, all foods and medicines not factory sealed in glass or metal containers must be bagged as well. Most pest control companies will provide these bags for free or charge a per-bag fee. Porous items like paper and cardboard should be removed from the home as well, since they may absorb the fumigants. Likewise, any plants must be removed or moved to a safe area of the property until the fumigation is over.

Depending on the size of your home, how extensive the termite infestation is, and what type of treatment you choose, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200-$2,500 for termite removal services. Unlike spot treatments, which are only applied to the area that needs treating, a fumigation covers the entire structure and can be the best option when you’re concerned about the safety of your family and pets.

Termite Prevention

It is always best to prevent termite infestations from occurring in the first place. A few simple steps will go a long way to protecting your home or business from these pesky pests. Start by eliminating any cellulose debris that is found around the property. This includes stacks of firewood, old newspapers and cardboard boxes. Also, reducing wood-to-ground contact is critical to termite prevention. Wood siding, decking and stairs that are in direct contact with the ground should be raised at least six inches off the soil level. Eliminating this highway into the building will make it much harder for subterranean termites to access food and moisture in the soil and mud tubes they build to enter structures.

Other preventative measures include repairing leaky plumbing, gutters and air conditioning condensation lines to reduce water dripping around the foundation of a building. Additionally, any wood that has been exposed to the elements should be treated with a termiticide or borate solution. These treatments are absorbed into the wood, preserving it and acting as a barrier for termites.

In the event that you have already encountered a pestemite infestation, it is imperative to act quickly to address it. You will likely require several rounds of treatment to eradicate the termites and protect the property. A trained Terminix specialist will perform a detailed inspection of the property paying close attention to areas of concern. Then they will create a plan of attack using liquid termiticides and Terminix OnGuard Protection to eliminate the infestation and protect against future invasions.

Conclusion

Affordable termite control services are within reach for homeowners who know where to look. By exploring options such as local pest control companies, online marketplaces, cooperative extension offices, DIY kits, and government assistance programs, homeowners can find cost-effective solutions to address termite infestations and protect their properties. Don't let concerns about affordability delay treatment—take proactive steps to tackle termite problems and safeguard your home and investment.