How to Get Rid of Termites: Treatment Options and Cost

If you’ve confirmed a termite infestation — or a pest professional has — the next question is treatment. Unlike most household pests, termite treatment is almost never a DIY proposition. The products required aren’t available to consumers, and improperly applied treatments can allow infestations to continue spreading unseen for years.

This guide explains the three main termite treatment methods, when each is used, and what they typically cost.

Why Professional Termite Treatment Is Necessary

Termite control requires:

• Termiticides not available without a pesticide applicator license (Termidor, Premise, Altriset)
• Specialized application equipment for soil injection and deep trenching
• Structural knowledge to identify all harborage points
• Long-term monitoring to confirm treatment effectiveness

The one partial exception is bait systems — some homeowner-available bait products (like Spectracide Terminate) exist, but they’re significantly less effective than professional-grade bait stations.

Treatment Option 1: Liquid Soil Treatment (Termidor)

Liquid termiticide treatment is the most widely used professional method for subterranean termites. A technician injects a termiticide (most commonly Termidor SC — fipronil) into the soil around and under the foundation, creating a continuous treated zone that termites pass through as they travel between the soil and the wood.

How it works: Termidor uses a “transfer effect” — termites that contact the treated soil don’t die immediately. Instead, they carry the active ingredient back to the colony and transmit it to other workers through contact and grooming. This results in colony elimination, not just barrier protection.

Application process:

1. Trench around the exterior foundation (typically 6 inches wide, 6 inches deep)
2. Inject termiticide into the trench at specified intervals
3. Backfill the trench
4. Drill through interior concrete slabs if necessary to treat soil beneath
5. Treat crawl spaces if present

Pros:

• Highly effective — Termidor provides 10+ years of documented protection in most soil types
• Kills the entire colony, not just individual foragers
• Works quickly (colony elimination in 3 months or less)

Cons:

• Soil disruption and drilling may be required
• Must be retreated if the treated zone is disturbed (landscaping, irrigation work)
• Requires a licensed professional

Typical cost:

• $400–$1,500 for a smaller home
• $1,000–$3,500 for an average home
• Cost scales with linear footage of foundation perimeter

Treatment Option 2: Termite Bait Systems (Sentricon, Advance)

Termite bait systems replace (or supplement) liquid soil treatment with a network of in-ground bait stations installed around the perimeter of the structure. Worker termites find the bait stations, consume the bait (typically noviflumuron or diflubenzuron — insect growth regulators), and carry it back to the colony, where it gradually eliminates the population.

How they work: Bait stations contain a wood-based monitoring device that is checked periodically. When termite activity is detected, the wood is replaced with an active bait matrix. Workers consume and share the bait, leading to colony elimination over several months.

Leading systems:

• Sentricon Always Active (Corteva Agriscience) — the most widely used commercial bait system, available only through certified Sentricon dealers
• Advance Termite Bait System — used by many independent pest control companies

Pros:

• No soil injection or trenching required
• Less environmental impact than liquid soil treatment
• Effective against inaccessible areas where liquid treatment can’t reach
• Ongoing monitoring detects new activity early

Cons:

• Slower — colony elimination typically takes 3–18 months
• Requires annual maintenance visits (which adds to long-term cost)
• May not be sufficient alone for heavy, active infestations

Typical cost:

• $1,200–$3,800 initial installation (based on station count)
• $300–$600 annual monitoring fee thereafter

Treatment Option 3: Fumigation (Structural Fumigation)

Whole-structure fumigation uses sulfuryl fluoride (Vikane) gas to penetrate the entire structure, killing all termites inside. This is the standard treatment for drywood termite infestations and is also used for severe subterranean infestations throughout a structure.

How it works:

1. A tent of tarps is placed over the entire structure
2. Sulfuryl fluoride gas is pumped inside to lethal concentrations
3. The structure is sealed for 24–72 hours
4. The tent is removed and the structure ventilated for a day before re-entry
5. The gas leaves no residue — it dissipates completely

Pros:

• Complete penetration — reaches inside walls, attic, and all wood throughout the structure
• Single treatment (no ongoing maintenance)
• Highly effective for drywood termites where liquid soil treatment doesn’t apply

Cons:

• Requires vacating the home for 2–4 days
• All food, medications, and plants must be removed or double-bagged
• Does not provide ongoing protection — only kills termites present at time of treatment
• Most expensive option

Typical cost:

• $1,500–$4,000 for a small home
• $3,000–$8,000+ for an average to large home
• Priced by the cubic foot of structure

Comparing Termite Treatments

Method	Best For	Speed	Protection Duration	Avg. Cost
Liquid (Termidor)	Subterranean termites	1–3 months	10+ years	$1,000–$3,500
Bait System	Subterranean, accessible areas	3–18 months	Annual maintenance	$1,500–$4,000+
Fumigation	Drywood termites, severe infestations	2–4 days	None (kills present only)	$2,000–$8,000

DIY Termite Treatment: Limited Options

No consumer-available product matches the effectiveness of professional termiticides. However, some limited DIY options exist:

Orange oil (XT-2000): Contains d-limonene, which kills drywood termites on contact. Injected into termite galleries through small holes drilled in the wood. Limited penetration — only effective where you can directly inject, not for hidden galleries. Available as a less invasive (and less expensive) alternative to fumigation in some regions, but typically applied by licensed operators.

Boric acid: Applied to exposed wood as a preventive or supplemental treatment. Kills termites that consume treated wood, but limited penetration.

DIY bait stations (Spectracide Terminate): Available at hardware stores. Some limited effectiveness, but significantly weaker than professional-grade bait systems.

What to Expect from a Professional Termite Inspection

Before treatment, a licensed inspector will:

1. Inspect the interior and exterior for signs of termites and damage
2. Identify the termite species
3. Assess the extent and severity of the infestation
4. Recommend a treatment approach
5. Provide a written report documenting findings

Most reputable termite control companies offer free inspections. Get quotes from 2–3 companies and compare the treatment approach, warranty terms, and total cost.

Termite Treatment Warranties

Professional termite treatments typically include:

• Retreatment warranty: If termites return within the warranty period, the company retreats at no charge (typically 1 year for liquid, ongoing for bait systems with annual renewal)
• Repair coverage: Some companies offer limited damage repair warranties — review terms carefully

Ask specifically about warranty terms before signing any contract.

Get a Free Termite Quote

Don’t wait. Termite damage compounds every season an infestation goes untreated.

A free inspection from a licensed termite specialist in your area is the first step.

Bottom Line

For subterranean termites in most of the U.S., liquid soil treatment with Termidor provides the most reliable, long-lasting protection at a reasonable cost. Bait systems are effective and lower-impact but slower. For drywood termites — particularly in coastal California, Florida, and the Gulf Coast — fumigation is often the definitive treatment. Whatever your situation, get professional quotes and compare warranty terms carefully. The cost of treatment is always far less than the cost of the structural damage that continues unchecked.