How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost?

Finding termites in your home can initiate a course of events that can get quite expensive if you do not choose the right provider. Factors like home size, the type of treatment needed, and the termite species you’re dealing with all influence the total cost of termite treatment. 

Figuring out the cost of termite control can be confusing, so we have created this post to help guide you through the costs of termite treatment.

Keep reading to learn more about the termite problem in South Florida, how to prevent and treat termites, and how to find the right service for your needs.

Termites In South Florida 

Subterranean termites are a pervasive problem in South Florida. Recently, the University of Florida predicted there that half the structures in South Florida were at risk of damage by 2040. Homeowners' insurance coverage can vary depending on your plan, but they often don’t cover termite damage.

Termites in West Palm Beach, FL are a problem that homeowners simply cannot handle on their own. Luckily, there are pest control companies that they can turn to. The knowledge offered by these companies assists greatly in handling termite problems. 

Companies like Native Pest Management use proven treatment methods to accomplish this. Treatment costs can vary depending on the inspection costs and how you actually approach killing the termite. HomeAdvisor states that the average range is $800 - $2000 for termite control.

Prevention Of Termites

As the saying goes: the best offense is a good defense. Though termites are a part of life for much of South Florida, there are steps homeowners can take to keep them at bay. Termites are incredibly resilient creatures. 

They have evolved to be so, having to overcome large obstacles related to predatory animals and bacteria to survive. Even just the fact that they're one of the only animals that can digest wood is a testament to their resilience.

This ability to adapt means that they may still take hold no matter the precautions taken. Still, tips like this will help in allowing them to do so less often. Implement the following pest prevention tips before you even notice termite activity in West Palm Beach, FL:

• Lay a barrier of crushed rocks between the foundation and any soil or mulch.
  Inspect antique furniture before bringing them into your home.
• Eliminate any standing water
• Repair leaky air conditioning which can cause water to pool around the foundation.
• Eliminate damp, rotting wood from around your home.
• Avoid over-planting shrubbery and landscaping near the foundation. Allowing the sun to hit the soil dries it out and prevents termites from having an enjoyable environment.
• Clean gutters right away. Clogged gutters can lead to rainwater buildup which can seep into your home.
• Use exhaust fans and dehumidifiers to keep the home dry.

Homeowners can drastically reduce the occurrence of termites by observing these best practices. That said, to reiterate, termites still contain the power to circumvent all these. That is why it’s still important to regularly check for them, even if you have taken precautions.

The Importance Of Early Intervention 

It is imperative to seek out intervention immediately after noticing any signs of termites. An early response time to an infestation can make a large difference in the cost needed to address it. The longer that you wait, the more the infestation will spread. As that problem gets larger, costs for treatment can skyrocket.

The cost of not addressing termites could even include structural repairs in extreme instances. Early intervention on a termite problem can save on the bill and also on the amount of time needed to treat it. Treatment of termites in earlier stages is far easier than later ones.

Many signs point to a termite infestation. Whether it’s noticing mud tubes on the walls or holes burrowed into a piece of wood, the first sign should be the last before contacting pest management.

Factors That Influence The Cost Of Treatment

Many different factors go into the total cost of termite treatment. This is because there are so many variables to take into account. Both homes and the severity of the problem can change drastically in each instance. 

Professional pest management companies have to take a look at these different facets of your specific need. Of these, the main factors that go into pricing are:

Home Size

For most termite treatments, pest control companies provide pricing based on the size your home. The main reason for this is simply that larger homes will require more materials and time to treat them. 

Frequency Of Treatment

Sometimes, a one-time treatment is enough to tackle a minor termite issue. Often, companies will follow these up with inspections to ensure all is well but, otherwise, leave it as is. Such is not the case for harder-to-tackle problems or, in some cases, species of termites.

In these instances, it may take multiple treatments to address the concern. Due to this, it will likely be more costly since a pest management team will have to come out more often or use more materials. Beyond that, you will also want to get regular inspections and prevention services to help keep the termites away.

Type Of Treatment

Several different treatments have the aim of eradicating termites. The type of treatment that you undergo will depend on your specific need. Based on the factors above and the severity of your need.

Pest control companies may need to use more extreme (and expensive) measures for worse infestations, for example. These companies will work alongside you and help you to understand the right treatment for you. Since some of these treatments can be costly, it's important to make sure that you get a company you can trust. Otherwise, you may be risking getting sold on a more expensive service that you didn't need.

Pest control companies like Native Pest Management have a documented record of customer success. Find a company with a large number of positive reviews (Native Pest Management has over 2000 five-star reviews on Google, Yelp, HomeAdvisor, Facebook, Angie's List, and Nextdoor with a five out of five average rating,) to make sure the company you hire will eliminate the termites for good.

Different Treatment Types

Taking down a termite colony requires diligence and knowledge. There are many different weapons that pest control companies can wield against termites. The main options to address termite pest problems are as follows:

Trench And Treat

This common treatment method for subterranean termites involves digging a trench along the foundation of your home to apply a termiticide barrier onto the soil.

Depending on the type of product used, this will be either a repellant barrier that kills termites on contact, or a non-repellant barrier that aims to eliminate entire termite colonies. 

Repellant products are typically cheaper and while they are effective if applied correctly, any small gap in the barrier can provide an entry point for subterranean termites into your home.

Non-repellant products including Dominion, Taurus, and Termidor tend to be more expensive, but are the preferred method since the ultimate goal should be elimination of the termite colonies on your property.

Termite Bait Stations

The installation of termite bait stations is our preferred method of subterranean termite control. Following product labels, bait stations are typically installed every ten to twenty linear feet along the exterior foundation of a structure.

While some types of bait stations only contain wood monitoring blocks that are checked regularly by a termite control professional, we prefer using only Trelona Advanced Termite Bait Stations, which always each contain two cartridges of active termite bait.

The goal for this type of system is for termites to consume the bait and share it with other termites, ultimately killing the termite queen and collapsing the colony.

This particular termite bait system is checked once per year, and any termite bait that has been consumed or is no longer edible by termites is replaced. 

Depending on the type of termite bait system installed, and if there is a current termite infestation or you are simply looking for prevention, the installation price in South Florida typically ranges from $700-2000. Ongoing annual renewals for subterranean termites usually range from $300-600, depending on the number of termite bait stations present.

Tent Fumigation

Tent fumigation is typically the most expensive termite treatment method. Fumigation is typically reserved for Drywood termite infestations and involves putting tarps over the entire structure to enable a termite control company to apply a termiticide gas like Vikane into the structure.

Tent fumigation is very effective, as it should provide 100% control of drywood termites. Unfortunately, it is usually a three day and two night process, so your family and pets would need to leave your home for a few days. There is also often significant preparation needed, which may include sealing food in special bags provided by the fumigation company, trimming shrubs and trees off of the home, and removing TV antennas from the roof. 

The cost of tent fumigation in South Florida typically ranges from $1500-3000 for most homes, with very large structures costing over $100,000 in some cases. Tent fumigations come with a one-year re-treatment warranty which can usually be extended annually by paying an annual renewal fee up to 20% of the cost of the treatment.

No Tent Termite Control

Over the last couple of decades, a new method of drywood termite control has emerged. The "No Tent" termite treatment. This method of termite control involves the use of termiticide foams and/or dusts or borate sprays to eliminate termites without the need for tent fumigation.

No Tent termite treatments have various benefits, ranging from a lower cost, to less preparation needed. You and your family can actually remain present in your home during No Tent termite treatments. 

This method of termite control is typically 70-80% of the cost of a tent fumigation. You'll also save money in that you will not need to pay for lodging for your family or pets and you won't need to hire landscapers or other vendors to prepare your home for treatment.

While there are various benefits to the No Tent Treatment method, there is a major downside. This type of treatment is slower acting since it relies on the transfer effect to eliminate drywood termites colonies. While it has the same warranty as a tent fumigation, it will likely require additional visits by termite technicians following the initial treatment, as drywood termites may make themselves apparent in new areas of wood within the home.

The Lowest-Priced Option Is Not Always The Best 

Finding a pest control company for your termite needs should always utilize online reviews from other customers. While cost will always be a factor in decision-making, it shouldn’t be the only driving force in this instance.

The lowest-priced solutions are often inadequate or, occasionally, even fraudulent. That isn’t to say you should find the most expensive solution either.

The right option will address your needs in a cost-efficient manner with a proven track record of success. We recommend doing an in-depth online comparison between the termite control companies you are considering. Relying on reviews from Google, Yelp, Facebook and the Better Business Bureau will likely help you find the right company for your home.

Native Pest Management Termite Control

Our passion at Native Pest Management is in giving you back your peace of mind. Our team of professionals has the experience needed to take care of any termite concern you may have. Our three-pronged approach to getting rid of termites is:

Inspection

A trained and licensed professional termite inspector will visit your home. Upon a complete inspection of your interior, the attic, and the exterior, they will create a recommended course of action.

Termite Treatment

Using that inspection, we put our expertise to work. We use any and every method we need to treat your termite issue. Many different variables contribute to the specific treatment used but one thing doesn’t change: we’re prepared!

Termite Warranty

We know that we can help you handle termites in West Palm Beach, FL. Every single termite control method that we use comes with a one-year warranty. This warranty allows homeowners to receive free treatment in the event of a termite infestation within that time.

If this happens under our watch, the follow-up services are at no cost to you! Homeowners also can purchase additional years on their warranty!

Call us today at (833) 470-2128 or contact us online and we can get started on getting your West Palm Beach, FL home back to being free of termites.

Schedule a free termite inspection below.