The High Cost of Termite Control and Property Damage

Termites act like a silent wrecking crew, slowly and diligently eating away at the wood structure of a home. A single colony can consist of millions of members. Unfortunately, they can do serious damage to a home well before the homeowner notices the problem, which can become costly.

One of the first questions asked by homeowners of termite control specialists upon learning of a termite problem is, “How much will this cost?” Expenses relating to termite control can be broken down into three categories:

1. Prevention

If you are building a new home or adding on to an existing home, applying borates to the wood and concrete on walls, subfloors, sill plates, and plumbing is a natural and effective preventative termite measure.

The best prevention for existing homes is for homeowners to:

• Eliminate or reduce moisture in and around the home
• Routinely inspect the foundation for signs of mud tubes, bubbling paint, and wood that sounds hollow when tapped
• Maintain an 18-inch gap between the soil and any wood portion of your home
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house
• Schedule a professional inspection annually

2. Eradication

Eradication costs vary greatly and depend mostly on the variety of termites you have in your home and how extensive the infestation is. Termite treatments need to be customized to your situation. There’s no cut-and-dry answer on costs. The national average costs for a 2,500-square-foot house can run from about $800 for bait treatments, $1,500 for liquid treatments, $2,500 for heat treatments, and a range of up to $3,000 for fumigation and the inconvenience of two nights displacement.

3. Home Damage

Depending on the extent of the infestation, repair might mean opening walls and flooring to replace the devastated home foundations, in addition to replacing furniture or other affected items. The national average cost for a homeowner who discovers termite damage is $3,000. It pays to be diligent. When infestations are caught early, the damage is localized and much less severe.

If you believe you have a termite infestation, the first step to take is to get a thorough inspection from a neighborhood professional. Luckily, termite inspections at Ecola Services are free — one less cost to worry about. Ecola is a leader in family-friendly solutions for termite control and other pest control problems. Call (800) 332-BUGS to schedule a free termite inspection with your local experts servicing Southern and Central California.