Termite removal cost guide

Termites are tiny insects that mostly feed on dead plant matter, including wood. They’re considered one of the most destructive pests in the world because a termite invasion can cause thousands of pounds worth of damages. So, how much does termite removal cost? And what preventative measures can be put in place? We’ll explore it all below.

How much does termite treatment cost?

The average termite treatment cost will depend on a number of factors, including:

• The type of termites.
• The size of your house.
• How bad the problem is.
• The removal or treatment method.
• Whether you’re looking for straight-up extermination or long-lasting, preventative treatment.

House termite treatment cost

There are a number of treatment methods available and the type you choose will influence the total cost of treating termites. The main options are:

• Liquid: Liquid termiticide is sprayed to kill and repel termites.
• Tenting: The house is fumigated to kill termites, which requires people and pets to leave the home for several days. This is commonly used on drywood termites that can’t be exterminated using other methods.
• Heat: The house is heated so that the temperature of all wood products reaches 120 degrees for 33 minutes. This method only requires people and pets to leave the home for a few days.
• Baiting: Paper, cardboard and other wood-related ‘food’ that has been treated with a lethal substance is used as bait. When termites eat it, they bring it back to the nest and it gradually kills off the colony. This method may be used in conjunction with liquid termiticide.

Treatment methods for different termite types

Drywood termites

As their name suggests, drywood termites feed off dry wood. Some professionals are willing to place baits or apply chemical termiticides to kill these pests. This involves drilling a hole in the wood and installing a bait station or chemical gel or foam. However, large drywood colonies may require tenting.

Dampwood termites

Similarly, dampwood termites rely on moist wood for survival. Dampwood termite treatment costs are pretty much the same as with drywood termites. However, homes with high humidity may also need moisture control to prevent a resurgence, which is likely to cost extra.

Subterranean termite treatment cost

Subterranean termites use wood as a food source but they live in the soil. They can be the most damaging termite species as they build underground connections between colonies. Usually, they’re treated by placing chemicals or baits into the soil around the structure or in the foundation itself.

Preventative termite treatment cost

Rather than simply killing the termites that are in your house, you can put up defences to stop more termites from entering. One way of doing this is with termite barriers. These involve trenching around the outside of your home and drilling small holes through paths and slabs outdoors to create a treated zone around the house. Termite barriers can protect your home against termites for up to eight years.

For a small to large home, the cost of a termite barrier is likely to be between £1,500 and £2,600. This cost will usually include another treatment option to get rid of any termites that are currently in the home.

The chemicals used in termite barriers are normally non-repellants. This means they’re designed so that termites transfer the chemical back to the nest, ultimately killing the whole colony. You may find some companies offering repellent chemicals, which could cost around £360 less. However, we’d advise against this as the product won’t transfer back to the nest, so it will be less effective.

Baits can also be regularly topped up and used as a preventative in a similar way.

Pre-construction termite treatment cost

Pre-construction termite treatment is where a professional visits a construction site to spray repellents that will prevent termites from developing a colony there.

This can be done at a number of stages in the construction process, but will often be quickest if the professional is able to spray the repellent on the soil before the foundation is installed. Professionals may also choose to apply repellents and termiticides to the carpentry before drywall is installed.

Pre-construction termite treatment costs can come in at anywhere between £165 and £1,900.

FAQs

How do I know if I have termites?

Some of the signs that you may have a termite infestation include:

• Mud tunnels: Termites build little mud tubes to keep them damp while they search for food. You may be able to see them running up your foundation.
• Droppings: Termite droppings, also known as frass, are the colour of wood.
• Flying termites: Depending on the type of termite, flying termites (known as ‘swarmers’) might appear in the house at various times of year.
• Termite wings: Termites lose their wings after they swarm. These can often be the only visible sign of an infestation.

Can I save on termite removal costs by doing it myself?

There are termite treatments that are marketed for DIY use, but we wouldn’t recommend attempting termite removal yourself. To apply the amount of chemicals that would be necessary, you’d need a professional’s knowledge and safety techniques. Plus, you may not realise how bad the problem is. If you don’t deal with it well enough, the problem could become a lot worse, costing you more in the long run.

How much are termite repair costs?

The cost of treating a termite infestation doesn’t include repairing the damage they’ve caused. Most homeowners will need to spend around £2,250 on repairs once an infestation has been dealt with. However, this can climb to as much as £6,000 in extreme cases.