How much does termite treatment cost in Virginia?

There is no single price for termite treatment in Virginia, because companies price each house on its size, construction and the kind of treatment and warranty you choose. Termite treatments can be costly and time consuming,^[4] so the useful number is the one in a written quote for your house. This page explains what goes into that number and how to compare quotes fairly.

What sets the price

Termite services vary in price with the perimeter of the home, the construction type and the area of the country.^[3] In practice, these are the things a quote is built from:

• Perimeter and access. A treatment follows the whole foundation. A typical liquid treatment may involve hundreds of gallons of termiticide injected into the ground along the foundation, beneath concrete slabs and within foundation walls.^[1] It takes masonry drills, large-capacity spray tanks and long metal rods for injecting soil,^[1] plus drilling and injection through porches and patios next to the house.^[3] More foundation and more concrete to drill usually means more labor and material.
• Construction type. Wells, cisterns, nearby ponds or streams, sub-slab heating ducts, drainage systems and inaccessible crawl spaces all complicate a liquid treatment.^[3]
• Liquid or bait. Baiting can sometimes cost more than a liquid treatment because more visits may be needed to monitor for termites and add or replace bait.^[3] Elimination with baits can take several months or longer,^[3] and the monitoring visits are part of what you pay for.
• Full or partial treatment. A cheap quote may be a spot treatment of the area where termites were seen. Most reputable firms will not warrant spot treatments.^[1]
• The warranty. Most companies will retreat affected areas at no additional charge if termites return, and some will also repair damage that occurs after their treatment.^[1] Note that some offer no warranty at all when wells, drainage systems, sub-slab heat ducts or inaccessible crawl spaces make it impossible to treat to industry standards.^[1]

How the treatments themselves work is covered in how termite treatments work.

The yearly renewal

The first treatment is not the whole cost. Homeowners should consider both the initial treatment cost and the annual renewal fee.^[3] The renewal keeps the warranty in force, so the company comes back if termites return. It matters most with baits: letting a bait renewal lapse carries extra risk, because no pesticide is left in the soil once the termites are gone.^[3] Ask each company for the renewal fee in writing and whether it can rise. Whether a renewal is worth keeping is covered in whether you need a termite bond in Virginia.

Inspection costs

Pest control companies often offer free termite inspections^[2] when they are quoting a treatment. A wood-destroying insect report for a home sale is a separate service, and it can carry a fee. For VA-backed loans, wood-destroying insect information is required for the entire state of Virginia.^[8] Veterans may be charged the wood-destroying pest inspection fee and may pay for required repairs, and VA encourages them to negotiate both with the seller.^[7] Buyers with other loans should check their loan conditions and purchase contract for who pays.

Why quotes for the same house differ

Companies offer different treatment methods and warranties,^[1] so two quotes are rarely for the same thing. Requesting inspections and estimates from more than one company helps confirm the termites are really there and lets you compare services.^[1] The quality of the job depends less on the salesperson than on the technician who does the work,^[1] so ask who will treat the house and how long they have done it.

Take your time. Termites damage wood slowly,^[1] and a few days spent comparing companies rarely changes the damage. Avoid firms that pressure you to sign immediately with specials or scare tactics.^[1] At the same time, do not ignore an infestation to save money: every year termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage.^[6]

What to ask for in a written quote

Many companies offer free estimates, and you can ask for the estimate in writing.^[5] A quote you can compare should state:

• The treatment type (liquid, bait or both) and the areas covered, including any drilling of slabs, porches or patios.
• For baits, how many stations, where, and how often they are checked.
• The products to be used: the names of the products and their EPA registration numbers.^[5]
• The warranty: retreatment only or repair as well, what is excluded, and what voids it.
• The first-year price and the renewal fee. If a long-term contract is required, ask what the long-term costs are.^[5]
• The company's Virginia pesticide business license number.

Repairing wood the termites have already damaged is usually a separate job for a carpenter or contractor, priced on its own.

When to call a licensed pro

Termite treatment is licensed work in Virginia. "No person may apply or recommend for use any pesticide commercially without a pesticide business license and the employment of a certified commercial applicator" responsible for safe application.^[9] VDACS publishes downloadable lists of licensed pesticide businesses and certified applicators,^[10] so check every company that quotes you. Call for inspections and quotes when:

• You see the signs of termites, such as swarmers, shed wings or mud tubes.
• You are buying a house and need a wood-destroying insect report.
• A warranty is up for renewal and you want to compare it with other companies.

For other pests, see what pest control costs in Virginia. Browse termite treatment services, find pest control businesses around Blacksburg or read more pest control answers. When you are ready, describe the termite job on Loclis so licensed businesses can quote it in writing.