Pest dossier
Termites
Mud tubes on a foundation, indoor swarmers, a pile of wings on a sill, or wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Structural. Typical US jobs often sit in the $1,500–$8,000 band depending on method.
Typical US planning band · $1,500–$3,500
Next step
Talk with a licensed operator
Structural, heat, tent, wildlife, and severe jobs are usually a licensed visit — not a consumer spray. We may earn if you connect through a referred provider.
One primary action. Ranges vary. Verify official sources. How we make money
What should you look at?
We do not publish unverified pest photographs. Wrong pictures teach the wrong pest. These are labeled slots until a credited, licensed image is in the repo.
Diagram slot
Mud tube on foundation or baseboard
Diagram slot
Swarmer vs carpenter ant
How do you tell termites from carpenter ant?
| Trait | Termites | Carpenter ant |
|---|---|---|
| Waist | Thick, even | Pinched |
| Antennae | Straight | Elbowed |
| Wings | Two pairs, similar length | Front pair longer |
| Wood habit | Eats wood | Nests in wood, does not eat it as food |
What does a typical job cost?
Most whole-home termite jobs in the US land between about $1,500 and $3,500. Tent fumigation and large drywood jobs can run much higher.
Structural termite treatment is usually a licensed job. DIY kits are mainly for monitoring and prevention, not for replacing a barrier or fumigation.
| Job type | Typical range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid barrier treatment | $1,200–$2,500 | Typical for a ~2,000 sq ft home. |
| Bait station system | $1,500–$3,500 | Install plus ongoing monitoring, often $300–$500 per year. |
| Tent fumigation (drywood) | $1,500–$8,000 | Wide range. Size, species, and local labor drive the top end. |
| Wood-destroying organism inspection | $75–$300 | Often required in real-estate transactions. |
Planning bands only — not a quote. Home size, severity, and region change the number in the calculator.