Tent vs No Tent Termite Treatment Cost in Houston
Houston termite treatments take one of two forms: whole-house or spot treatments. These methods are known as tenting or tentless treatments. They are priced by the square foot for tenting or the linear foot for tentless. Tenting a home in Houston costs $0.98 to $2.97 per sq.ft. but costs $1 to $3 nationwide. Tentless treatments for Houston homes cost between $2.97 and $15.80 per linear foot and cost slightly more nationwide at $3 to $16 per linear foot. Tenting is measured by the square foot because it is the best way to measure the amount of product needed in a three-dimensional space for the tenting process. Other treatments are measured in linear feet because they are applied to the home at specific intervals. After inspecting the home, a termite treatment company will recommend which treatment will handle the problem best. However, it is always the homeowner’s decision as to which treatment is used.
Tenting a home involves covering the house with a huge tent and sealing it. The house is flooded with a chemical gas or heat. The family must vacate the home for the duration of treatment. Tenting often represents the most effective and long-lasting option with results that last several years for eradicating drywood termites. Spot treatments include liquid termiticides, bait systems, and barrier treatments. They are commonly employed with subterranean termite infestations. The severity of the infestation and the homeowner’s preference influence which treatment the exterminator uses.
| Treatment Type | Houston Average Cost | National Average Cost |
|---|
| Tent | $0.98 - $2.97/sq.ft | $1 - $3/sq.ft. |
| Tentless | $2.97 - $15.80/linear foot | $3 - $16/linear foot |
Tenting for termites in Houston costs between $0.98 and $2.97 per sq.ft., slightly higher than the state’s average of $0.96 to $2.90 per sq.ft. but less than the national average, ranging from $1 to $3 per sq.ft. Prices generally range from a low of $980 for a 1,000 sq.ft. home to a high of $11,880 for a 4,000 sq.ft. home. The average home in Houston is a little smaller than 1,800 sq.ft., so costs range from $1,765 to $5,345. Some companies charge a premium for exceptionally large residences. However, it is not standard practice for all termite treatment companies. Many newer homes in Houston reach 4,000 sq.ft. or more, so homeowners should ask whether their treatment company charges extra for large homes if their residence is on the larger side.
| Square Footage | Houston Average Cost | National Average Cost |
|---|
| 1,000 sq.ft. | $980 - $2,970 | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| 1,500 sq.ft. | $1,470 - $4,455 | $1,500 - $4,500 |
| 1,800 sq.ft. | $1,765 - $5,345 | $1,800 - $5,400 |
| 2,000 sq.ft. | $1,960 - $5,940 | $2,000 - $6,000 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $2,450 - $7,425 | $2,500 - $7,500 |
| 3,000 sq.ft. | $2,940 - $8.910 | $3,000 - $9,000 |
| 4,000 sq. ft. | $3,920 - $11,880 | $4,000 - $12,000 |
Houston homeowners who choose tentless termite treatment pay between $2.97 and $15.80 per linear foot for treatment. Overall, costs in Houston for tentless treatments are less expensive than the national average of $3 to $16, but they are slightly higher than the overall average in Texas. Houston is an urban area where costs are slightly higher than in rural parts of the state. Tentless treatment options are priced according to the number of linear feet required to complete the job.
For example, covering 100 linear feet or a small property with non-tenting termite treatments ranges from an estimated $300 to $1,580 in Houston. On the other hand, a large property requiring 400 linear feet of coverage ranges from approximately $1,190 to $6,320. Tentless options are often used to reinforce tenting treatments, but they’re also a common part of scheduled treatment plans. Subterranean termites are often battled using tentless treatments and may include liquid treatments and bait traps. The industry occasionally introduces newer and more effective treatment options.
| Perimeter Size | Average Treatment Cost (Houston) | Average Treatment Cost (National Average) |
|---|
| 100 Linear Feet | $300 - $1,580 | $300 - $1,600 |
| 150 Linear Feet | $445 - $2,370 | $450 - $2,400 |
| 200 Linear Feet | $595 - $3,160 | $600 - $3,200 |
| 250 Linear Feet | $740 - $3,950 | $750 - $4,000 |
| 300 Linear Feet | $890 - $4,740 | $900 - $4,800 |
| 400 Linear Feet | $1,190 - $6,320 | $1,200 - $6,400 |
Termite Exterminator Cost in Houston by Frequency
Houston homeowners may hire their termite company on a contract basis with yearly, quarterly, or monthly visits. Contracts range on the low side from $175 for a yearly visit to a high of $890 for monthly visits. Homeowners who decide they do not need a contract may choose a one-time visit, ranging from $195 to $470. Due to its location near the Gulf of Mexico, Houston is particularly vulnerable to termites. A contract may help a homeowner prevent a reinfestation after the initial treatment. Homeowners who tent their homes might choose a yearly contract where the termite company looks for the return of termites. A quarterly contract is a good idea for treatments like bait traps. Homeowners may choose a monthly contract when they have a history of recurring infestations that need frequent attention.
| Frequency | Houston Yearly Cost | National Yearly Cost |
|---|
| Once | $175 - $390 | $175 - $400 |
| Quarterly | $235 - $550 | $240 - $560 |
| Monthly | $650 - $890 | $660 - $900 |
Termite Treatment Cost in Houston by Severity of Infestation
Termite infestations are common in Houston and throughout Texas. Homeowners may experience small infestations that cost a minimum of $245 to fight up to severe infestations that may cost $6,425 to battle. A small termite infestation that is caught early by the homeowner and their termite inspection team may require nothing more than a few spot treatments and a follow-up visit to ensure they do not return.
With a small infestation, you might see wings on the floor or termite droppings near the wooden areas of your home. Wooden baseboards are a great place to inspect for evidence of termites. For medium and large infestations, you often see greater evidence of termites like wood shavings, holes in the walls, and an increase of termite wings during the summer swarming seasons. For severe infestations, the evidence is often stark and easily noticeable. You might see swollen wooden beams in your home or giant cracks in the walls or ceilings.
| Size of Infestation | Average Houston Cost | National Average Cost |
|---|
| Small | $245 - $1,185 | $250 - $1,200 |
| Medium | $395 - $1,480 | $400 - $1,500 |
| Large | $1,185 - $4,445 | $1,200 - $4,500 |
| Severe | $1,185 - $6,425 | $1,200 - $6,500 |
Termite Treatment Average Cost in Houston by Type of Termite
The cost to treat subterranean termites in Houston ranges from $245 to $1,480. The cost to treat drywood termites ranges from $985 to $6,400. Houston homes may experience drywood or subterranean termite infestations. The damp conditions often present along the Gulf Coast make homes particularly vulnerable to subterranean termites who thrive on dampness and decaying wood. Homes in Texas often have slab foundations 1 without cellars because the ground is too damp for basements. Subterranean termites and the virulent Formosan variety of subterranean termites congregate in the moist environment under a concrete slab 2 and make their way into any damp wood they can find. Formosan termites are an invasive type of termite and require swift action because of the speed at which they can destroy wood.
Unfortunately, Houston homeowners also have to worry about drywood termites, which may infest every wooden beam and piece of furniture inside the home. Drywood termites do not need dampness to survive and can grow to large or severe infestations with enough time. Fighting drywood termites usually requires tenting, particularly when the infestation is advanced. Subterranean termites are usually fought using tentless treatments like barrier treatments. Visits may also include bait traps and liquid treatments.
| Type | Average Houston Cost | National Average Cost |
|---|
| Subterranean | $245 - $1,480 | $250 - $1,500 |
| Formosan | $245 - $1,480 | $250 - $1,500 |
| Drywood | $985 - $6,400 | $1,000 - $6,500 |
Termite Inspection Houston Cost
Homeowners should always remain vigilant against termites. However, many homeowners do not realize they have a medium or large infestation. A termite inspection ranges from approximately $75 to $150 for Houston homeowners. It is important due to the frequency with which homes in the Houston area experience termite infestations. If the inspection does not find termites, no further action is needed. However, when the inspection finds termites, the termite company will recommend treatment and explain the costs.
Some companies offer free inspections. It is cost-effective for companies to offer free inspections because of the high likelihood for Houston homes to have an existing termite infestation. Annual inspections are also helpful after a home has received tenting treatment. Sometimes a contract with a termite exterminator includes yearly inspections. Large tenting jobs may include a free inspection after a year.
During the process, the termite inspector checks almost every area of your home, from the closets and cupboards to the baseboards and anywhere else that termites might feast and hide. The inspector looks for droppings or wood shavings and evidence of split walls where termites could enter the home. If the inspector finds evidence of termites, they create a plan of action and recommend treatment.
Signs of Termites in Houston
Even though a yearly inspection is important, you should not ignore your home until the inspector comes each year. If anything, keeping a lookout for signs of termites in Houston helps you get treatment quickly, which is essential when battling termites. Homeowners commonly see mud tubes sitting on the beams of the ceiling or along wooden baseboards and termites when they swarm in the spring. Evidence of termites includes wallpaper that is bubbled up from the wall or wood that sounds hollow when someone taps it.
How Often Should You Treat for Termites in Houston?
Houston homeowners who get their homes tented by their termite treatment company should enjoy a termite-free home for at least five years. However, it is good to arrange for yearly inspections. You might eliminate the drywood termites with the tenting but then experience a bout of subterranean termites the next year. Termites are everywhere and vicious along the Gulf Coast, so frequent treatments may help. Quarterly treatments are a good idea for treating subterranean termites with liquid treatments. Monthly contracts help with bait trapping and persistent infestations.
How to Prevent Termites in Houston
While it is impossible to guarantee that a Houston home will not get termites, you can take steps to reduce the likelihood that they will attack your home. If you have any rotted wood around the perimeter of your home, get rid of it because the termites leapfrog from that rotted wood to the wood inside your home. Consider getting a gas or propane 3 fire pit rather than a wood fire pit for outdoor gatherings. Keeping a clean home makes it easier to identify when termites are present because it makes the droppings, wings, and wood shavings easier to detect.
Additional Considerations and Costs
- DIY methods. You can aid your termite exterminator by sprinkling diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your home. At-home kits are not effective in keeping termites away. Your best option is to look for evidence of termites and call in the pros when necessary.
- Season. Termites feast all year long, even though you might only see them during the spring or summer when various types swarm and become visible. Just because you cannot see them it does not mean you do not have them. Get a yearly inspection for peace of mind.
- Insurance. Homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover termites because insurance companies consider it a Houston homeowner’s responsibility to treat pests and hire exterminators. Budget for a yearly termite inspection just as you would for a roof or water heater inspection.
- Warranty. A home warranty may only feature termite coverage when the home is brand new and has been built using termite-prevention techniques like special insulation, treated wire mesh, and soil treatments used before pouring the concrete slab.
FAQs
- How much is a termite inspection in Houston?
Termite inspections cost between $75 and $150 in Houston. They are a worthwhile investment when done annually.
- Are termites common in Houston?
Over half of homes in Houston experience a termite infestation at one time or another. Homeowners should remain particularly vigilant during wet, rainy seasons.
- How long will the Houston termite treatment last?
Tenting treatments should last for about five years. Yearly inspections are still important to maintain effectiveness. Tentless treatments may last for several years, but each year there is always the possibility of a new infestation.
- Should I hire a professional exterminator for my termite treatment in Houston?
Termite exterminators are equipped with the industry’s best tools for fighting termites wherever they might hide. It is easiest for a professional to reach all the termites in your home.
- Are organic termite treatments available?
Some companies offer organic pest control services but usually charge slightly more. Organic chemicals do not last as long as traditional treatments, so you might need more frequent treatments each year. Organic termite chemicals may be made from essential oils or chrysanthemum flowers.
- What should homeowners look out for when shopping for termite treatments?
Shopping around for treatment prices is important. Avoid companies that offer suspiciously low prices or make promises that seem unrealistic. An unscrupulous company might pull a fast one and start charging for services they originally promised as free in their original quote.
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