In this guide
Quick answer
Most US homeowners pay roughly $200–$1,000 for a localized spot treatment, $1,000–$4,000 for a whole-house liquid barrier, $1,500–$3,500 to install a bait system plus about $250–$500 a year for monitoring, and $1,300–$4,500 or more for tent fumigation of drywood termites. Inspections often cost $75–$350 and are frequently free. Prices vary with home size, foundation type, termite species and region.
Termite treatment is one of those expenses nobody budgets for — and one where quotes for the same house can differ by thousands of dollars. This guide pulls together typical 2026 price ranges from published US pricing surveys and explains what you’re paying for, so you can compare quotes with confidence.
How to use these numbers
These are typical ranges reported in 2026 pricing guides, not quotes. Your price depends on your home and local market. Always get two or three written estimates from licensed companies.
Termite treatment cost at a glance
| Treatment | Typical cost (US, 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection | $75–$350 (often free) | Confirming activity and termite type |
| Spot / localized treatment | $200–$1,000 | Small, contained drywood or subterranean activity |
| Liquid soil barrier (whole house) | $1,000–$4,000 (often priced at about $5–$12 per linear foot of foundation) | Active subterranean termites; long-lasting protection |
| Bait system installation | $1,500–$3,500 | Subterranean termites; homes where drilling or trenching is hard |
| Bait system annual monitoring | $250–$500 per year | Ongoing protection after install |
| Tent fumigation | $1,300–$4,500+ (larger homes higher) | Widespread drywood termite infestations |
| Annual renewal / warranty (“termite bond”) | $150–$600 per year | Keeping coverage and re-treatment active |
| DIY products (for comparison) | $150–$400 in materials | Prevention or very small problems; limited guarantees |
Cost by treatment method
Liquid termite barrier
A professional digs a trench around the foundation and injects a termiticide into the soil — and drills through slabs, porches and garage floors where needed. Modern non-repellent termiticides (for example, products containing fipronil or imidacloprid) are picked up by termites and spread through the colony. Many products protect for several years.
What raises the price: a large perimeter, slab foundations needing drilling, crawl spaces, finished basements, attached patios and hard-to-reach areas.
Termite bait systems
Bait stations are installed in the ground every few feet around the house. Termites feed on a slow-acting bait and share it with the colony. Bait systems need regular monitoring, which is why there’s an annual fee. They use less pesticide and avoid drilling, which some homeowners prefer. We compare the options, including DIY baits, in Termite Bait Stations Compared.
Fumigation (tenting)
For drywood termites spread throughout a structure, the house is covered with a tent and filled with a gas fumigant. You’ll need to leave for a few days and remove or bag food, plants and medicines. Price depends mainly on the home’s volume (cubic feet).
Spot treatments
Localized injections of foam, liquid or dust into infested wood, or heat/freeze treatments for small drywood colonies. Cheaper, but they only treat what’s been found.
What affects your price
- Home size and foundation perimeter. Liquid treatments are often priced per linear foot.
- Foundation type. Slabs that need drilling cost more than crawl spaces with easy access to soil.
- Termite type. Formosan and drywood termites can cost more to control.
- Severity. Wider infestations need more product and more time.
- Region. Southern and coastal states with high termite pressure have more competition but also more demand.
- Warranty. Plans that include repair coverage cost more than retreatment-only plans.
- Damage repair. Repairs are separate and can far exceed treatment costs, which is why catching termites early saves money. See 12 Signs of Termites.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Which termites do I have, and where is the activity? Ask to see it.
- Which method and which product will you use? Get the product name in writing.
- How many linear feet are you treating, and will you drill slabs?
- What does the warranty cover — retreatment only, or repair of new damage? How long, and what’s the renewal cost?
- Is the company licensed and insured? In the US, pest control is licensed at state level; check with your state’s department of agriculture or pesticide regulatory agency.
- What do I need to do to keep the warranty valid? (For example, keeping mulch away from the foundation.)
Red flags
Pressure to sign the same day, “special pricing” that expires today, refusing to name the product, or a price far below other quotes without explanation. Termites work slowly — you have time to compare.
Can you treat termites yourself?
DIY products such as termite stakes and retail liquid treatments can help with prevention or very small problems, but most come without the equipment, training or warranty that professional treatment includes. For an active subterranean infestation under a home, professional treatment is usually the safer investment. Our bait stations comparison covers what DIY can and can’t do.
Frequently asked questions
Is termite treatment worth the cost?
How often do you need termite treatment?
Does insurance pay for termite treatment?
Sources
- DIY Pest Control — How much does termite treatment cost in 2026?
- US EPA — Termites: how to identify and control them
- University of Kentucky Entomology — Termite control around the home
