Infrared technology has been used for decades. The technology is the same as night vision cameras where heat given off by vehicles or people can be seen. It is also used to find lost people at night by sensing their body heat.

Commercially, infrared cameras detect temperature gradients and these are converted to various colors on an image so that the multi-colored sections depict various temperature ranges. This is particularly helpful when you look at the front of a house, for example, and can see a cooler temperature on the windows which is typical of heat loss due to the glass. But if that temperature gradient drops below the window on the image, there is the possibility of a moisture penetration or even termite tubes which will be cooler due to the moisture. An image will not conclusively denote termite infestation, but it will point to potential issues which require further evaluation.

Infrared cameras are relatively expensive, with many costing over $10,000. If a pest control company uses infrared cameras, they have invested a significant amount of money and may charge additional fees for the use of the camera beyond the normal inspection.

Infrared cameras are excellent tools for specific situations where suspected moisture or even termites must be further evaluated.

There are several types of moisture meters, but the two most common are the pin and the pad moisture meet. A pin type moisture meter is a digital or gauge type of meter which has two sharp pins protruding from the unit. The pins are placed into the substrate to be tested and the reading registers on the gauge. The reading is quick and accurate and the price of the unit is reasonable (less than $200 typically). The disadvantage is that the unit only works with wood and not other building materials and is a surface reading only. It can also leave marks on the surface of the substrate tested.

The pad type of moisture meter is about twice the price of the pin type. The unit has a pad on the back of the unit and the unit is placed on the substrate. Multiple types of materials can be tested including masonry and concrete to see if there is a moisture leak which might soak into wood. There is no damage to the material being tested.

A moisture meter is a valuable tool and some states require that moisture readings be taken as part of an inspection.

As termites do not come into the open as they consume wood, it is important to not only perform a visual inspection but to also probe and sound the wood for signs of possible infestation. The trained inspector can feel the texture of the wood and hear the sounds to determine if there is any concern within the area.

Probing is done with a formidable tool to create momentum. Some inspectors prefer to use long screwdrivers and the end is pushed into the wood. If the tip penetrates the wood, the inspector will closely look to see if there are signs of decay or termites. Short screwdrivers are not as valuable in that they cannot get to difficult to reach places and cannot easily probe above. Some people use short tools such as pocket knives to further examine areas which are probed. There are special probing and sounding tools designed specifically for termite inspections. These are rolled or stainless steel shafts which are bent at an angle to allow overhead probing. The butt or handle of the tool can be used as a sounding tool. Sounding is tapping on wood to hear if it is solid. Wood that has been damaged often has a “punky” sound or hollow sound.

Probing and sounding are important parts of any termite inspection, especially if the inspection is for real estate transactions. Using the right tool for the right job is vital.

In the U.S., the majority of termite damage to homes is caused by subterranean termites, including the very aggressive Formosan termite. There are many products designed to prevent and control subterranean termite infestations, including termiticide soil and wood treatments, physical barriers, and bait and monitoring systems. In areas where they are active, there are also prevention and treatment options for drywood termites, including direct wood treatments, fumigation and heat treatment.

Termite prevention and treatment methods are quite cost effective when compared to the cost of repairing termite damage. On average, a homeowner will spend $3,000 to repair termite damage, not including the cost of treatment to control the infestation.

How Much for Does Termite Treatment Cost?
Most pest control companies will provide a free inspection before estimating the cost of prevention and treatment methods. Termite control costs may include the initial treatment and an agreement for ongoing service. This service agreement can include periodic termite inspections; monitoring of bait systems, if applicable; and retreatment, as necessary.

Termite control costs depend on a number of variables, including:

• Type of treatment provided
• Extent of the treatment area/infestation
• Location/accessibility of the treatment area/infestation
• Size of the home
• Type of home construction
• Species of termite that has infested the home or is active in the region

When you compare quotes, make sure to review the ongoing costs associated with termite control services and renewable termite bonds. In addition, evaluate the experience and stability of the pest control companies you may choose to hire.

• As a requirement in the home buying process
• As a condition to provide a quote for termite prevention or control methods
• As part of an annual termite service agreement or bond
• As follow-up after treatment to confirm infestations have been controlled

On average, homeowners who discover termite damage will spend approximately $3,000 to repair the damage. By comparison, the cost for a pest control professional to inspect for termite activity often is much lower.

Free Termite Inspection / Discounted Termite Inspection

During the home buying process, unless an inspection is provided as a condition for purchasing a termite bond, most inspections are a paid service. However, a homeowner that has an existing contract with a pest control company may qualify for free or discounted termite inspections. Several pest control companies offer discounted termite inspections to existing customers who bundle their termite and pest control service. Some companies include inspections as part of an annual termite service agreement, while others charge an additional fee for inspections.

If you think you may have a termite infestation, contact nearby pest control companies to see which ones offer a free inspection and quote for treatment.

Look Beyond the Price of the Inspection
The cost of home termite inspection should not be the deciding factor for which company you use for termite control. Termite inspections are critical for protecting your home. If an inexperienced inspector overlooks signs of infestation, termites can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Key qualities of a qualified termite inspector include:

• Knowledge of termite biology and behavior
• Understanding of different types of home construction
• Training on termite identification, prevention and treatment methods
• Employment with a reputable pest control company

Beyond the experience of the termite inspector and the reputation of the pest control company, you also should consider the services you plan to use. If you need termite control or prevention services, you will want to ask if an inspection is included with these services and what guarantees are available.

In everyday language, the word "floor" has a simple meaning, but in the world of residential construction, floors can be fairly complex. A concrete slab can be the main floor in the lowest level of a house. Alternatively, a house with a crawlspace will have wood or steel floor joists and a wood subfloor. Upper level floors typically have joist and subfloor systems.

The cost of termite treatment for a floor depends on the type of floor and the accessibility of the floor for treatment. Wood floors that are infested with termites can be treated with direct wood treatments, fumigation, heat treatment or electronic control methods. Concrete foundation floors can be treated with termiticide materials applied to the soil beneath the floor.

Accessibility to a floor is determined by the floor covering. For example, it is fairly easy to drill holes in the floor of an unfinished basement, if necessary. However, a homeowner may not want to pull up carpet or tile to access the slab in a finished basement. Similarly, it is easier to access the underside of a first-story floor from an unfinished basement or through a drop-in ceiling than it is to access a second-story floor from a finished drywall ceiling.

Repair Termite Damage to a Floor
Homeowners insurance does not cover the cost to repair existing termite damage to a floor – or the additional damage necessary to access the treatment area in the floor. An experienced termite control expert will use the least invasive methods possible to access infestations and provide treatment.

There are a few instances when pest control companies are responsible for repairing the floor:

• If the pest control professional needs to drill holes in the concrete to access the infestation, he or she must fill these holes after treatment is completed.
• If you have a termite bond, the company may guarantee the treatment and provide retreatment and repairs after the initial treatment at no additional cost. (Check your bond for exclusions.)

Termite-proof Flooring
In areas that experience high rates of termite damage, homeowners may look for building materials that are termite-proof or termite-resistant.

• Pressure-treated wood is termite-resistant and should be used for the structural components of floors. This type of wood is especially important in areas that are particularly susceptible to termite damage, such as crawlspaces.
• There are a number of termite-resistant floor coverings, including tile, bamboo and cork. Some hardwoods are moderately or very resistant to termites, including cedars and redwoods.

The average homeowner will spend $3,000 to repair termite damage.

Related:Termite Damage to Floors

To provide the most accurate termite treatment cost estimate, most companies will perform a free inspection to determine what methods will be most effective for the home. A termite control expert reviews a home’s size and construction, signs of past or present termite infestations, conditions likely to support termite activity, and the size and accessibility of the proposed treatment area. With this information in mind, the termite control expert can review potential treatment options and pricing.

Make Sure You Understand Your Quote

Termite control is complicated, signs of infestation may be difficult to detect and the treatment area may be in a difficult to reach location. You may need to ask questions so you can compare companies’ estimates on an equal basis per treatment, per annual agreement or per five- or ten-year bond.

Key questions to ask about the cost of termite removal and ongoing termite control include:

• What is the initial cost of treatment?
• What is the ongoing cost of treatment?
• What is the annual cost of a termite inspection?
• What is the annual renewal fee for the termite bond or the termite service agreement?
• What does the termite bond cover and how many years can it be renewed?
• Will the company pay the cost of retreatment after the initial treatment, if necessary?
• Will the company pay to repair any termite damage after treatment, if necessary?

If you purchase a newly constructed home in an area where subterranean termites are a serious threat, the builder may be required to provide a New Construction Subterranean Termite Service Record. A licensed termite inspector must complete this document, which certifies that termite prevention measures were included in pre-construction. The document offers a one-year warranty for the termite control measures.

If you purchase an existing home, the seller may be able to transfer the existing termite bond to you. If there is not an existing termite bond or if the existing bond cannot be transferred, then you can purchase a termite bond when you buy the home.

Compare Termite Warranties
There is no unconditional termite warranty covering all possibilities of infestation, damage and repairs. All termite bonds come with exclusions, limitations and restrictions. When reviewing companies estimates to treat an existing infestation or provide termite prevention services, compare the warranties, contracts and companies reputations,  not just the prices.

The most comprehensive termite treatment contracts cover retreatment at no additional cost, plus any damage caused by future termite infestations while treatment is still in place.

Questions to Ask When Comparing Termite Bonds

• What termite species are covered by this termite bond?
• What are the exclusions and limitations of the termite bond?
• What is the annual renewal fee for the agreement?
• Is there an additional cost for regular, annual termite inspections?
• Can this bond be transferred to a new homeowner if I sell the house? What are the conditions for transfer?
• How many years is the bond valid?
• What happens to the termite bond if the pest control company goes out of business? (Well-established companies offer piece of mind that this scenario will be unlikely.)

Methods of subterranean termite control and prevention often involve treating a home’s foundation to help prevent termites from entering. When possible, pre-construction soil treatment is recommended, since it offers termite experts the greatest access to required treatment areas.

There are several post-construction techniques used to help reduce potential entry points and control termite infestations around a home’s foundation:

• Professionals can apply termiticide near cracks in the foundation wall and floor. Before treatment, any cracks or gaps should be sealed with caulk.
• Professionals can apply termiticide inside the hollow spaces of concrete block used in a foundation wall.
• For soil treatments, termite control specialists apply termiticide to the soil around a home’s perimeter. This treatment can involve trenching, which refers to digging up the soil around the perimeter of the home and adding termite control products as the soil is replaced. Pest control experts also may use rods or drills to access the foundation and apply treatment.

What Factors Affect Foundation Treatment Costs
Typically, a foundation treatment estimate is based on the number of linear feet around the perimeter of the house. However, other factors can affect the price. These factors include the type and amount of treatment materials required and the type of construction. Because a slab foundation is the least accessible for treatment, the cost of concrete foundation termite treatment typically is higher than the cost of treatment for a similarly sized house with a crawlspace construction.

The cost to treat an existing infestation may be higher than the cost for termite prevention services. Active infestations may require multiple methods to ensure control, such as the combination of a soil treatment and direct wood treatment.

Termite Nest Under Floor in Crawl Space

Related:Termite Foundation Damage

Heat treatment, an alternative to fumigation, raises the temperature in a home to 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit,  a temperature too extreme for termites to survive.

Both treatment methods require that the home be covered with a tarp-like tent to hold the fumigant or heat in the house long enough to be effective.

How to Compare Fumigation Quotes
Home fumigation prices typically are calculated based on the cubic feet of the home or treatment area.

Sulfuryl fluoride is the only fumigant approved for residential fumigations. This gas is sold under the brand names Vikane, MasterFume, and Zythor. However, prices do not vary significantly.

The biggest costs associated with fumigation are equipment and labor. Only pest control experts that are certified fumigators are able to provide a fumigation treatment. Fumigations are highly technical procedures that require skilled operators using special materials and gas measurement devices. To ensure the treatment’s effectiveness and correct application, hire a reputable company with proven experience in providing this treatment.

When you evaluate the cost of termite tent treatments, make sure to consider the pest control company’s guarantee. Unlike termiticide treatments, neither heat treatments nor fumigation will leave residues that will continue to control termites weeks after the treatment. Therefore, it is essential that the initial fumigation treatment or heat treatment control the entire active termite colony.