How Much Does a Termite Infestation Cost

We already know we don't want termites in our house—but what happens if they make their way in? Is termite extermination expensive? The average cost of termite treatment varies on the type of termite and how much damage is done, as well as other factors.

Termite Damage Repair

Termites are some of the most destructive pests a home can have. But just exactly how much damage can termites do?

Structural Termite Damage

Termites literally eat away at the structure of your home, and that’s where some of your biggest costs are going to be. The average cost of termite damage repair is $3,000, but that can vary widely depending on the extent of the damage and exactly what they ate. Termite-Damage

Cosmetic Termite Damage

In addition to repairing the structure of your home, you may have to do some cosmetic work to hide the damage they did. Termites can create discoloration in the sheetrock, buckling floors, and even peeling paint. Cosmetic termite damage repair usually runs around $2,000 depending on the material that was damaged and what you choose to replace it with. Hardwood floors, for example, are far more expensive to replace than a few loose tiles.

Is Termite Extermination Expensive?

Before you can make any repairs, you have to get the termite problem taken care of, and that can be a bit costly. Within the fee you’re being quoted, you not only have to pay for the cost of the chemical (or bait if they’re using a baiting system), but you also have to pay for the labor and training as well as the actual service hours. You can expect to pay between $4 and $7 per linear foot of your home for termite damage repair. Naturally, that will vary based on the guarantee they offer you, where you’re at, and the type of treatment you end up choosing.

The average cost of termite treatment may seem a bit costly at the initial quote, but consider it an expensive insurance policy. You’d probably rather have a yearly inspection than deal with the damage from termites. Contact us today at 508-756-5197 to learn more about how to get rid of termites in Massachusetts and stay termite-free.

Termite Prevention Tips

If you’re like most homeowners, you’re doing what you can to keep termites out of your home. After all, you don’t want your biggest investment in shreds. Unfortunately, sometimes you’re working against yourself. Are you making any of these mistakes?

Poor Mulching Habits: Mulch can look amazing around your home. It’s seriously helpful, too, ensuring your plants get the moisture they need, even when it’s a bit dry outside. Unfortunately, there’s a real potential for problem with mulch, though. It holds in moisture, and that’s exactly what those termites are looking for when it comes to survival. The moist, damp conditions that mulch creates is literally the perfect environment for a termite colony. Put it a bit too close to the house, and you have just lined up a buffet for the termites that is certain to attract those from miles around. This is the stuff termite dreams are made of, and you’ve made it really accessible to them.
Stacking Firewood or Other Materials Near Your Home: wood piles attract termites whether it’s firewood for your fireplace or untreated building materials, or even yard waste in some cases, making stacks of wood of any kind near your home is really not a good idea if you’re trying to protect it from termites. If you’re going to have piles of untreated wood laying around, make sure they’re as far away from your property as possible. You may want to keep them well organized, off the ground, and check them regularly for problems too, because even if they’re at the back of your lot, it’s not much a jump for termites to come find your house after they’ve been hanging out in your wood pile.
Using DIY Products for Protection: Lots of people see those shelves at the hardware store lined with DIY solutions they’ve read about online and think, “Oh, what a great way to save some cash.” Don’t fall into that trap. None of those solutions you’re going to find on the shelf are actually going to do you any good. In fact, at best, they’re going to lull you into thinking things are fine with your home when, in fact, you could have real trouble brewing. Stay away from the DIY shelf and bring in a pest control professional now.

Termites do billions of dollars in damage to homes every single year—yours could easily be next on the list whether you’re making these serious mistakes or not. Talk to a local pest control professional for a termite inspection. They’re often a free service if you sign up for an ongoing maintenance plan, and they’re the single best way to ensure you don’t have any termite problems near your home.