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Updated Oct 23, 2026 · By Michael Gonzales · Prices from HomeGuide, Angi and This Old House
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Short answer: Termite treatment costs $225 to $2,500 for a liquid soil barrier or bait system, and whole-home tenting costs $2,000 to $8,000, according to HomeGuide's November 2025 guide. Angi puts the 2026 national average at $621, based on 7,800 projects, with most homeowners paying $263 to $1,033.
Get inspections and quotes from local pest control companies, or let us match you with pros. Termite-heavy states: Florida, Texas, California, Louisiana and Georgia.
How much does termite treatment cost?
Most termite jobs land between a few hundred dollars and $2,000, and tenting a whole house costs more. The three big cost guides measure it differently, which is why their numbers don't match:
| Source | What it measures | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Angi, Sep 2026 | Average of 7,800 projects reported by Angi pros | $621 average; most pay $263 – $1,033 |
| This Old House, Jun 2026 | Typical treatment | $700 – $2,000 (spray from $150; fumigation up to $5,000+) |
| HomeGuide, Nov 2025 | Soil barrier or bait stations | $225 – $2,500 |
| HomeGuide, Nov 2025 | Whole-home tenting | $2,000 – $8,000 |
Sources: Angi, termite treatment cost (updated September 25, 2026), This Old House, termite treatment cost (updated June 17, 2026) and HomeGuide, termite treatment cost (November 21, 2025).
If your quote is for a whole-house barrier or tenting, compare it with the method prices below, not the national average.
How much does each termite treatment method cost?
Liquid soil barriers and bait stations are priced per linear foot around the foundation. Tenting and heat are priced by the home's square footage. Here's how the sources line up:
| Method | HomeGuide | Angi and This Old House |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid soil barrier (termiticide) | $3 – $20 per linear ft; $500 – $2,000+ for a whole home | Angi: $3 – $16 per linear ft |
| Bait stations | $7 – $12 per linear ft; $1,000 – $2,500 for a whole home, plus $200 – $400 a year to monitor | Angi: $8 – $12 per linear ft. This Old House: $400 – $3,000 |
| Spot or micro treatment | $6 – $8 per sq ft | This Old House: $350 – $1,000 |
| Gas fumigation (tenting) | $1 – $4 per sq ft; $2,000 – $8,000 for an average home | Angi: $1,200 – $2,500+ flat. This Old House: $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Heat treatment (tented) | $1 – $3 per sq ft; $2,000 – $6,000 for a 2,000 sq ft home | This Old House: $1,300 – $2,500 |
The EPA says the most common way to treat a termite infestation is a soil-applied barrier, and that barriers and termite baits are the two common forms of treatment (EPA, Termites: How to Identify and Control Them, updated October 8, 2026). Bait systems carry a yearly monitoring fee, so ask for the first-year price and the renewal price separately.
Which treatment do you need, and what does it cost by termite type?
The termite type decides the method, and the method decides most of the price. The EPA says the native subterranean termite is the most common termite in most of the U.S.; drywood and the invasive Formosan termite are less common.
| Termite type | HomeGuide | Angi | Usual method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subterranean | $250 – $2,000 | $225 – $900 | Liquid soil barrier or baits |
| Drywood | $225 – $2,500+ | $225 – $2,500 | Spot treatment for a small area; tenting or heat if widespread |
| Dampwood | $225 – $2,500+ | $250 – $2,500 | Remove the damp, infested wood; fumigation in severe cases |
| Formosan | $800 – $5,000+ | $250 – $1,500 | Baits and soil barrier, sometimes fumigation |
Methods per HomeGuide, Angi and UC IPM. Formosan is the one where the sources disagree most, so get more than one quote.
Drywood termites: spot treatment vs. tenting. Drywood termites live inside the wood, not the soil.
University of California IPM's Pest Notes say a spot treatment is often applied to a single board or a small group of boards, so "one can never be sure all infestations have been treated." Whole-structure fumigation should reach hidden colonies, but you'll be out of the house for several days (UC IPM Pest Notes: Drywood Termites, Publication 7440).
Heat is the non-chemical option. UC IPM says it means heating all the wood to at least 120°F for at least 33 minutes, and you're out for hours instead of days.
How much does a termite inspection cost?
A termite inspection costs $75 to $325, per This Old House, which says to expect about $100 when it isn't free. HomeGuide gives $0 to $250 and notes that some companies inspect free when it isn't part of a home sale.
- Angi says the inspection is usually free if you buy a treatment plan.
- This Old House says an inspection takes one to two hours and ends with a written report.
- Real estate inspections are their own thing. This Old House gives the South Carolina example: lenders there typically require a Wood Infestation Report, at about $150.
What does a termite bond or yearly plan cost?
A termite bond costs $500 to $2,000, per HomeGuide, and covers yearly inspections plus treatment if termites come back. This Old House gives the same $500 to $2,000 range and says a bond is usually worth it in termite-prone areas or after repeat infestations.
For the big national brands, HomeGuide lists these yearly ranges:
| Company | Yearly termite treatment and protection | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Terminix | $400 – $1,500 | HomeGuide |
| Orkin | $500 – $1,600 | HomeGuide |
Ask whether the bond covers re-treatment only or repairs too, and get the answer in writing before you sign.
How much does termite damage repair cost?
Termite damage repair costs $600 to $3,000 for most jobs and up to $6,000 for structural work, according to Angi. Its 2026 breakdown:
| Repair | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| A few damaged boards or joints | $250 – $1,000 |
| Damaged drywall | $300 – $900 |
| Walls, flooring or framing | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Moisture removal or water damage repairs | $1,350 – $6,200 |
This Old House says a severe infestation that needs floor, framing or beam replacement can push treatment and repairs past $10,000 combined, and that catching termites early is the best chance to control costs.
If repairs open up an attic or walls, run your ZIP through the rebate finder before you close them up. Termite work isn't an energy upgrade, but insulation is, and insulation rebates are common.
Does homeowners insurance cover termite treatment or damage?
No. The Insurance Information Institute says a standard policy won't cover damage from lack of maintenance, mold, or infestation by termites or other pests (Triple-I). HomeGuide says the same about treatment, since termite damage is treated as gradual and preventable. Plan to pay out of pocket, or through a bond.
How long does termite treatment take?
A treatment on one area takes 30 to 45 minutes, and whole-home treatments take one to three days, per HomeGuide.
- Soil barrier or baits: you usually stay home while the crew works outside.
- Tenting: HomeGuide says prep, treatment and airing out can take up to 72 hours, with no people, pets or plants inside.
- Heat: hours, not days, per UC IPM.
The EPA says the time before you can move back in depends on the product and is on its label, so ask the applicator for the re-entry time.
Can you treat termites yourself?
For a real infestation, hire a licensed company. The EPA says that in most cases termiticides can only be applied properly by a trained pest management professional, and that firms offering termite work must be licensed by your state.
The National Pesticide Information Center adds that DIY treatments may not work as well as professional ones (NPIC: Termites, updated April 15, 2026).
Check a company's license with our contractor licensing guide by state.
How do you get a fair termite quote?
- Get inspections and written quotes from at least three pest control companies. NPIC recommends comparing estimates, inspections, treatment and warranty details from more than one company.
- Ask which termite they found and why they picked that method.
- For barriers and baits, ask for the linear footage and the price per foot.
- For tenting, ask whether the fumigation is monitored. UC IPM says monitored fumigation has the highest success rate.
- Ask for a copy of the product label, as the EPA suggests, and the re-entry time.
- Get the bond or warranty terms, renewal price included, in writing.
Want us to find pros for you? Get matched with local pest control companies.
Frequently asked questions
How much does termite treatment cost? Angi's 2026 national average is $621, with most homeowners paying $263 to $1,033. HomeGuide puts a soil barrier or bait system at $225 to $2,500 and whole-home tenting at $2,000 to $8,000.
How much does it cost to tent a house for termites? $1 to $4 per square foot, or $2,000 to $8,000 for an average home, per HomeGuide. This Old House gives $1,500 to $5,000 for fumigation.
What is the termite treatment cost per square foot? Tenting runs $1 to $4 per square foot, heat $1 to $3 and micro treatments $6 to $8, per HomeGuide. Soil barriers and bait stations are priced per linear foot instead: $3 to $20 and $7 to $12.
Does tenting a house for termites really work? It works well when done right. UC IPM says fumigation has high efficacy if correctly applied, and monitored fumigation has the highest success rate. It's mainly used for drywood termites.
How much does a termite inspection cost? $75 to $325, per This Old House, and often free when you buy treatment. HomeGuide gives $0 to $250.
How much do Orkin and Terminix charge for termite treatment? HomeGuide lists Orkin at $500 to $1,600 a year and Terminix at $400 to $1,500 a year for termite treatment and protection plans. Your quote depends on the home and the termite.
Does homeowners insurance cover termites? No. Triple-I says standard homeowners policies don't cover infestation by termites or other pests.
Sources
HomeGuide: Termite treatment cost (Nov 21, 2025) · Angi: Termite treatment cost (updated Sep 25, 2026) · This Old House: How much does termite treatment cost? (updated Jun 17, 2026) · EPA: Termites: How to Identify and Control Them (updated Oct 8, 2026) · UC IPM: Pest Notes: Drywood Termites (Publication 7440) · NPIC: Termites (updated Apr 15, 2026) · Triple-I: Which disasters are covered by homeowners insurance. Checked October 21, 2026.