Termite treatment cost: UK pricing guide 2026

Spotted mud tubes on a wall, or timber that sounds hollow when you tap it? Termites feed on dead plant matter, including the structural timber in your home, and an infestation can cause thousands of pounds of damage before you notice it.

This guide covers termite treatment costs by method, what a termite inspection costs, and how to stop an infestation taking hold.

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How much does termite treatment cost?

The cost of termite treatment depends on the method used, the size of your property, and how severe the infestation is.

• Termite inspection: £190 – £265

• Liquid termiticide treatment: £3 – £12 per linear foot

• Fumigation or heat treatment: £600 - £1,900

• Termite barrier: £1,500 – £2,600

• Termite damage repairs: £2,250 – £6,000

Most UK homeowners will deal with subterranean termites. For that species, liquid termiticide or baiting are the most common approaches. Tenting (fumigation) is rarely used in the UK: it's mainly a US practice for drywood termites.

Cost factors that affect the total bill:

• The type of termites (subterranean, drywood, or dampwood)

• The size of your property

• The severity of the infestation

• The treatment method chosen

• Whether you need extermination, a preventative barrier, or both

Are termites common in the UK?

Termites are far less common in the UK than in tropical countries, but they do occur. The species most likely to be found here is the European subterranean termite (Reticulitermes lucifugus), recorded in:

• Parts of southern England

• Devon

• Cornwall

• Areas of London

UK homeowners are more often dealing with woodworm treatment cost than termites. A pest survey can confirm which pest is responsible, and if it turns out you're dealing with a different infestation, our guides to pest control cost, rat exterminator cost, and bee exterminator cost cover typical pricing for those too.

Termites are a notifiable pest under UK plant health law. If you suspect an infestation, contact a professional immediately rather than attempting DIY treatment.

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House termite treatment cost

There are four main treatment methods. Your specialist will recommend an approach based on the termite species and the extent of the infestation.

• Liquid termiticide: The most common approach in the UK. A non-repellent termiticide is sprayed into the soil around the property or injected directly into timber. Termites carry the chemical back to the colony, killing it gradually over time.

• Tenting (fumigation): The property is sealed and filled with fumigant gas. Rarely used in the UK. Requires vacating the property for several days.

• Heat treatment: All timber in the property is heated to 50°C and held at that temperature for 33 minutes to kill termites at all life stages. Requires vacating the property.

• Baiting: Cardboard or paper treated with a slow-acting toxicant is placed near termite activity. Termites carry it back to the colony over time. Often used alongside liquid termiticide.

Treatment methods for different termite types

Subterranean termites

The European subterranean termite is the species most likely to be found in the UK. It lives underground and travels through mud tubes to reach timber above the surface. Liquid termiticide applied to the soil and baiting systems are the standard treatments. Address subterranean termites first if you're in the UK: they are the primary concern.

Drywood termites

Drywood termites are not native to the UK but can be introduced via imported timber or second-hand furniture. They live inside the timber itself rather than in the ground. Treatment typically involves injecting chemicals directly into the affected timber or, for large colonies, heat treatment.

Dampwood termites

Dampwood termites need moist timber to survive. Homes with water ingress or persistent damp are most at risk. Treatment addresses the termites, but you'll also need to tackle the underlying moisture problem. See our guides on damp proofing cost and damp course cost.

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Termite inspection cost

A termite inspection typically costs £190 – £265.

A professional inspection involves a qualified pest controller checking your property for signs of activity, including mud tubes, frass (wood-coloured droppings), timber damage, and live insects, and covers the loft, subfloor, and any timber framing.

Book one if:

• You're buying an older property with timber framing

• You've spotted any warning signs (mud tubes, frass, discarded wings)

• You're in a part of the country with a history of termite activity

• You want an annual check for peace of mind

Preventative termite treatment cost

Barrier treatment costs £1,500 – £2,600 for a small to large home and gives up to eight years of protection.

A termite barrier creates a treated zone around your property's foundations, using one of two main approaches:

• Trench and treat: A trench is dug around the perimeter, filled with termiticide, and backfilled.

• Drill and inject: Termiticide is injected through drilled holes in concrete or masonry close to the foundations.

Non-repellant chemicals are generally preferred over repellant ones: repellants can cause termites to route around the treated zone rather than through it.

For UK properties, maintaining good underfloor ventilation and fixing any damp is the most cost-effective prevention. The European subterranean termite is strongly attracted to moist wood.

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Termite treatment during renovations

Renovation work can disturb the soil near existing termite colonies and spread an infestation. New timber introduced during a loft conversion or extension can also carry drywood termites if it comes from an affected source.

If you're planning building work, discuss termite risk with a pest specialist before work starts.

Spray treatment of exposed soil or new timber typically costs £165 – £1,900 depending on the size of the site and the method used.

Looking for estimated costs or trying to book pest control specialists near you? At Checkatrade we're here to help keep your home safe - from fumigation to Japanese knotweed removal.

How to find a termite specialist

Look for a pest controller with a recognised qualification.

The RSPH (Royal Society for Public Health) Level 2 Award in Pest Management is the standard entry-level qualification. British Pest Control Association (BPCA) membership means the company has passed an independent audit.

Search for pest control specialists near you and compare a selection of quotes from checked tradespeople before booking.

Questions to ask before booking:

• Which treatment method do you recommend for this species, and why?

• Is re-treatment included if the colony returns within a set period?

• Do you carry liability insurance?

• Are you BPCA-registered?

Want more help nearby? Here's where to find checked specialists for this job.

Answers to common termite treatment questions

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