Termite Treatment Types: Costs, Pros, and Cons Compared (2026)
Five treatment methods, each suited to different situations. Here is what they cost, how they work, and when each one makes sense.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Method | Cost Range | Per-Unit Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid Barrier | $500-$2,500 | $3-$20/lin ft |
| Bait Stations | $1,500-$3,500 | $8-$12/lin ft |
| Fumigation | $2,000-$8,000 | $1-$4/sq ft |
| Heat Treatment | $800-$2,500 | $1-$3/sq ft |
| Spot Treatment | $200-$800 | Flat rate |
Liquid Barrier Treatment
$500-$2,500
$3-$20 per linear foot
A trench is dug around the foundation perimeter and termiticide is injected into the soil. The chemical creates a continuous barrier that termites cannot cross without dying. Some products (Termidor) are non-repellent, meaning termites walk through the treated soil unknowingly and transfer the chemical to nestmates.
Chemicals Used
Termidor (fipronil), Altriset (chlorantraniliprole), Premise (imidacloprid)
Best For
Subterranean termites. The most common and cost-effective whole-home treatment.
Duration of Protection
5-10 years depending on the chemical. Termidor typically lasts 8+ years. Premise lasts 5-7 years.
Pros
- ✓ Most affordable whole-home option
- ✓ Long-lasting protection (5-10 years)
- ✓ Proven track record with 90%+ effectiveness
- ✓ Non-repellent products transfer through the colony
- ✓ No need to vacate your home
Cons
- ✗ Requires trenching around the entire foundation
- ✗ Less effective for drywood termites
- ✗ Chemical in the soil (concern for some homeowners)
- ✗ Slab foundations may require drilling through concrete
| Home Size | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $300-$1,200 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $450-$1,800 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $550-$2,200 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $650-$2,500 |
| 3,000+ sq ft | $800-$3,500 |
Bait Station Systems
$1,500-$3,500
$8-$12 per linear foot (initial), $200-$400/year monitoring
Plastic stations are installed in the soil every 10 feet around the home's perimeter. Termites discover the stations during foraging and consume the bait, which contains an insect growth regulator. Foragers carry the bait back to the colony, where it prevents the colony from molting and eventually collapses the entire population.
Chemicals Used
Sentricon (noviflumuron), Trelona (novaluron), Advance (diflubenzuron)
Best For
Colony elimination with ongoing monitoring. Preferred for environmentally sensitive areas and properties where trenching is difficult.
Duration of Protection
Ongoing. Stations require quarterly monitoring and bait replenishment. Colony elimination takes 3-6 months.
Pros
- ✓ Eliminates the entire colony, not just a barrier
- ✓ Less invasive than trenching
- ✓ Lower chemical load in the soil
- ✓ Continuous monitoring detects new colonies
- ✓ Works well as a companion to liquid treatment
Cons
- ✗ Higher upfront cost than liquid treatment
- ✗ Requires ongoing annual monitoring fees ($200-$400/yr)
- ✗ Colony elimination takes months, not immediate
- ✗ Stations can be disturbed by landscaping or pets
- ✗ Less effective without consistent monitoring
| Home Size | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,200-$2,500 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $1,500-$3,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $1,800-$3,500 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $2,000-$4,000 |
| 3,000+ sq ft | $2,500-$5,000 |
Fumigation (Tenting)
$2,000-$8,000
$1-$4 per square foot
The entire home is covered with a gas-tight tarp. A lethal concentration of sulfuryl fluoride gas is pumped inside. The gas penetrates all wood, walls, and cavities, killing every termite in the structure. After 24-72 hours, the house is aerated and tested for safe gas levels before re-entry.
Chemicals Used
Vikane (sulfuryl fluoride), Zythor (sulfuryl fluoride)
Best For
Drywood termites with widespread infestation. When spot treatment is not sufficient because termites are in multiple locations throughout the structure.
Duration of Protection
Process takes 2-3 days. Provides zero residual protection. Termites can re-infest the home immediately after fumigation.
Pros
- ✓ Kills 100% of termites in the structure
- ✓ Reaches areas that are impossible to access with other methods
- ✓ The only reliable option for widespread drywood infestations
- ✓ One-time treatment with no ongoing monitoring
Cons
- ✗ Most expensive treatment option
- ✗ Must vacate for 2-3 days (including pets and plants)
- ✗ No residual protection against new infestations
- ✗ Requires extensive preparation (bag food, remove medicines)
- ✗ Does not work on subterranean termites in the soil
| Home Size | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,500-$3,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $2,000-$4,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $2,500-$6,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $3,000-$7,000 |
| 3,000+ sq ft | $4,000-$8,000+ |
Heat Treatment
$800-$2,500
$1-$3 per square foot
Industrial heaters raise the temperature of the infested area to 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit and maintain it for 4-6 hours. Termites die when their body temperature reaches 120F. Heat penetrates walls and wood to kill termites in concealed areas.
Chemicals Used
None (chemical-free)
Best For
Chemical-free treatment preference. Localized drywood termite infestations. Works well for individual rooms or sections.
Duration of Protection
Process takes 4-8 hours. Provides zero residual protection.
Pros
- ✓ Chemical-free (safe for chemically sensitive individuals)
- ✓ Same-day treatment (no need to vacate for days)
- ✓ Effective against drywood termites
- ✓ Can target specific rooms or areas
Cons
- ✗ No residual protection
- ✗ Heat-sensitive items must be removed (electronics, wax, vinyl)
- ✗ Less effective for large structures
- ✗ Cannot treat subterranean termites in the soil
- ✗ Potential damage to heat-sensitive materials
| Home Size | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Single room | $800-$1,200 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,000-$1,800 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $1,200-$2,200 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $1,500-$2,500 |
| Whole home | $2,000-$4,000 |
Spot Treatment
$200-$800
Flat rate per treatment area
Treatment is applied directly to the infested area using injection, foam application, borate wood treatment, or microwave devices. Termidor Foam expands to fill galleries and voids. Bora-Care penetrates wood and makes it toxic to termites. Electro-guns use microwave energy to heat and kill termites in localized areas.
Chemicals Used
Termidor Foam, Bora-Care (borate), electro-gun (microwave)
Best For
Small, confirmed infestations in accessible areas. Pre-purchase treatment for minor findings. Supplementing whole-home treatment.
Duration of Protection
Borate treatments last the life of the wood. Foam treatments last 5-10 years. Electro-gun has no residual.
Pros
- ✓ Lowest cost option
- ✓ Minimal disruption to the household
- ✓ Can target specific areas precisely
- ✓ Borate provides long-term wood protection
- ✓ Good as a supplement to other treatments
Cons
- ✗ Only works for small, accessible infestations
- ✗ High risk of missing hidden damage
- ✗ Not appropriate for colony-wide elimination
- ✗ Professional inspection needed to confirm limited scope
- ✗ May need to be repeated if infestation is larger than expected
| Home Size | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Single area | $200-$400 |
| Multiple spots | $400-$600 |
| Several rooms | $500-$800 |
Which Treatment Is Right for You?
You have subterranean termites (mud tubes, soil contact)
Start with a liquid barrier treatment. It is the most proven and cost-effective option. Add bait stations if you want colony elimination and ongoing monitoring.
You have drywood termites (frass pellets, no soil contact)
If the infestation is localized to one or two areas, spot treatment or heat treatment may be sufficient. If termites are in multiple locations or you cannot confirm the full extent, fumigation is the reliable option.
You want chemical-free treatment
Heat treatment is the only fully chemical-free option. It works for drywood termites in accessible areas. For subterranean termites, there is no chemical-free whole-home option.
You have a small, accessible infestation
Spot treatment is the cheapest and least disruptive option. But make sure a professional has inspected the entire home to confirm the infestation is truly localized.
Budget is your primary concern
Liquid barrier offers the best value for whole-home protection. Spot treatment is cheapest for minor issues. Avoid cutting corners on active infestations; a failed DIY attempt costs far more than professional treatment from the start.