For most of us, our home is our sanctuary and more than likely our biggest investment. If we don’t take measures to protect it from termite infestation, we lose that security. So, we need to answer the question,” How much does termite treatment cost?” Leaving termite control to chance is a risk you shouldn’t be willing to take. You can see how much our termite treatment pricing here. We’re very transparent about our termite cost.
How to know if you have termites
As a home or business owner, you should be aware of the risk that termites pose to your property. Most termite damage is not covered by home insurance policies which leaves you to cover the costly expense. If you can detect early on, it will greatly minimize the cost of repairs. Termite prevention cost is well worth it. At Vinx Pest Control, we know the different types of termites and what signs to look for.
Flying termites or discarded wings
This is usually one of the first signs you may have a termite problem. The flying termites are the males and females that have left the rest to find a mate-which is usually near or in your home.
Chewing noises or head banging
Another sign of termites is quiet clicking sounds coming from your walls. Sodder termites bang their heads against the wood to shake their bodies when the colony is disturbed. This signals danger to the other termites.
Mud tubes on exterior walls
Mud tubes protect the termites and are commonly found near the foundations of your home. They are fairly easy to spot. Subterranean termite species often build these tubes, made of soil and droppings, to provide moisture for them. Moisture is not your friend when it comes to protecting your home from insects. By eliminating moisture-rich environments from your home, you lessen your chances of an infestation. Avoid storing firewood and mulch or wood chip piles too close to your home.
Hollow sounding timber
Termites typically consume wood from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer of timber of even just the paint. So, when you knock on an area that has been damaged by termites, it will likely sound hollow. Part of all the timber inside has been eaten away.
Tight doors and hard-to-open windows
Often signs of damp and hot weather, stiff windows and doors can also mean termites are present. The moisture they produce when eating through doors and window frames can cause the wood to warp, causing the tightness when opening.
Frass (termite droppings)
One of the major signs that termites are present, particularly with drywood termites, is frass. This indicator of an infestation is something checked for during a termite inspection. Drywood termites don’t use their feces to build their tunnels like subterranean termites. Instead, they push it out of small holes near the entrances to their nest. Look for small black marks, and a dark powdery substance around the area of infesting.
Average termite treatment cost
Termites are one of the most expensive pests to control once an infestation is established. A shocking average of 600,000 homes in the United States are damaged by termites each year. They cause so much destruction because they can go for years chewing their way through homes without being noticed.
The average cost of termite treatment ranges anywhere from $200 to $900 with your typical treatment costing closer to $560. This breaks down to roughly $3 to $16 per linear foot of the home. There are several different methods of treating termites, each with their own benefits and ability to work best for a specific species of termite.
What factors determine termite treatment cost?
Understand first that no two homes are the same. Before figuring out the cost, you must determine which type of termite control you are going to choose.
Liquid termite treatment, using a termiticide is the first option. Termite bait stations are the other. Both of these services are based on the linear footage of the perimeter of your home or business, not the square footage. It is very important to have an inspection by a professional pest control company to assess your home and its measurements. This helps determine how much termicide is needed and ensure all the guidelines are followed as required by the Department of Pesticide Regulation. An inspection also helps determine the number of bait stations needed if you choose to go that direction.
Liquid Termite Treatment
The cost for using liquid termiticide is typically going to fall into the following price range:
- Slab Foundation- $5 per Linear Ft.
- Basement Construction -$6-$7 per Linear Ft.
- Crawlspace Construction- $6 per Linear Ft.
Homes that have a basement or crawlspace will require much more physical prep work which can add to the labor costs. They also require more liquid termiticide. Rodding, injecting liquid termiticide into soil with a metal rod, may also be necessary. Rodding must be injected every 6-12 inches to allow your soil to receive 4 gallons of liquid termiticide every 10 ft. per foot of depth. So, the deeper the foundation, the more termiticide is needed. Other factors, such as rocky or packed soil can increase the price.
Concrete drilling is another process that can be done when doing liquid termite treatment. Not only does it sound difficult, but it is very hard work. Anyplace where concrete or stone meets the foundation of your home, we are required to drill through the concrete roughly every foot apart. Then we inject the proper amount of termiticide into each hole to allow proper coverage of 4 gallons per 10 feet. All holes must be filled and patched to match the original texture and color as close as possible.
Bait Treatments
Bait treatments tend to work best on subterranean and drywood termites. With bait treatments, holes are dug or drilled around the home and bait stations are installed. The termites then feed on the poison and carry it back to their colonies. These treatments typically cost more than chemical treatments because they are less precise and often require more visits
The termite treatment cost for bait treatments- $8-$12 per Linear Ft.
Cheapest termite treatment
When you are dealing with something this important, taking the cheapest treatment option may not always be the best idea. Home remedies will more than likely be a waste of your time and resources and will likely leave you dissatisfied.
How much does a termite inspection cost?
You can expect to pay between $75-100 for a termite inspection. At Vinx, before we quote, we do a thorough and completely free inspection. This allows us to see affected areas, future risk, current infestation levels, and will determine exactly what (if any) measures need to be taken. This can save you precious time and money.
After our inspection you will have all the information you need to make a logical and informed decision based on our findings.
Conclusion
When it comes to termites, you need to take them seriously. You don’t, however, need to panic. Panicked homeowners often end up spending a lot more money than they need to eliminate the problem. At Vinx Pest Control we have three locations and can assist you in prevention and extermination of all your unwanted guests. Contact us for all your pest control needs. We serve the Dallas, Charleston, and Greenville areas.