Termites cause over $5 billion in property damage across the US every year, and homeowner insurance typically does not cover it. Learning how to kill termites before they compromise your home’s structure can save you tens of thousands of dollars in repairs. Whether you tackle the problem yourself with bait stations or hire a licensed exterminator for a liquid barrier treatment, early action is critical since a mature colony consumes several pounds of wood per year.
Identifying the Type of Termite
Treatment depends on the species. The US has three primary types, each with different behavior, habitat, and vulnerability:
- Subterranean termites: The most common and destructive. Live underground and build mud tubes to reach wood above the soil line. Found across the southern half of the US but present in every state except Alaska
- Drywood termites: Live entirely inside wood without soil contact. Common in coastal and southern states. Infest attic framing, furniture, and hardwood flooring
- Dampwood termites: Require high-moisture wood. Found in the Pacific Northwest and areas with persistent water damage. Rarely infest sound, dry structures
Subterranean termites are identified by their mud tubes (pencil-width tunnels on foundation walls) and the presence of “swarmers,” winged reproductive termites that emerge in spring. Drywood termites leave small piles of fecal pellets (called frass) that resemble fine sawdust near infested wood.
DIY Termite Treatment Options
Termite Bait Stations
Bait stations are the most accessible DIY method for subterranean termites. Products like Spectracide Terminate and the Advance Termite Bait System use cellulose-based bait laced with a slow-acting insecticide (typically hexaflumuron or noviflumuron). Worker termites carry the bait back to the colony, where it spreads through food sharing and grooming, eventually killing the queen and collapsing the colony.
Install stations every 8-10 feet around your home’s perimeter, about 2-3 feet from the foundation. Check monthly and replace consumed bait. A full perimeter setup for an average home costs $100-$250 in materials. Colony elimination typically takes 3-6 months.
Liquid Soil Treatments (DIY)
Products like Taurus SC and Bifen XTS contain fipronil or bifenthrin that you mix with water and apply in a trench around the foundation. Dig a 6-inch wide by 6-inch deep trench along the exterior walls, apply the diluted termiticide at a rate of 4 gallons per 10 linear feet, and backfill the trench. This creates a chemical barrier that kills termites on contact as they travel between the soil and your home.
A DIY liquid treatment for a 150-linear-foot perimeter costs $150-$300 in chemical and equipment (a pump sprayer or backpack sprayer). Fipronil-based products remain effective in the soil for 5-10 years. This is the same active ingredient professionals use, but proper application requires careful attention to label rates and local regulations.
Direct Wood Treatment
For localized drywood termite infestations, inject borate-based products like BoraCare directly into the infested wood. Drill small holes every 12 inches into the infested area, inject the liquid, and seal the holes. Borates penetrate the wood and kill termites that feed on it. A gallon of BoraCare concentrate ($45-$65) treats approximately 200-400 sq ft of wood surface depending on dilution.
Professional Termite Treatments
Licensed pest control companies offer treatments that DIYers cannot replicate, particularly whole-structure fumigation and Sentricon bait systems with active monitoring.
Liquid Barrier Treatment (Professional)
Professionals use the same chemicals but apply them with injection equipment that reaches under slabs, around plumbing penetrations, and into areas homeowners cannot access. A full liquid barrier treatment from a licensed company costs $1,500-$3,000 for an average home, with annual inspection contracts running $100-$200 per year after the initial treatment.
Fumigation (Tenting)
Whole-structure fumigation is the only reliable method for eliminating widespread drywood termite infestations. The home is sealed in a tent and filled with vikane gas (sulfuryl fluoride), which penetrates every piece of wood in the structure. You must vacate for 2-3 days, remove all food, medications, and living things. Cost: $1,200-$2,500 for an average home, more for larger structures. Fumigation kills 100% of termites present but provides zero residual protection.
How to Prevent Termite Infestations
Prevention is dramatically cheaper than treatment. Subterranean termites need two things: wood and moisture. Eliminating one or both breaks the cycle.
- Maintain a 6-inch gap between soil and any wood siding, framing, or trim on your home’s exterior
- Fix all water leaks promptly, including dripping faucets, leaky roofs, and condensation on pipes
- Direct gutter downspouts at least 4 feet away from the foundation
- Remove dead trees, stumps, and scrap wood from your yard
- Store firewood at least 20 feet from the house and elevated off the ground
- Install termite shields (metal flashing) on top of foundation walls during new construction
- Use pressure-treated or naturally resistant wood (cedar, redwood) for any ground-contact applications
Signs You Have Termites
Termites work silently inside walls and under floors, making early detection difficult without deliberate inspection. Watch for these warning signs:
- Mud tubes on interior or exterior foundation walls
- Hollow-sounding wood when tapped with a screwdriver handle
- Bubbling or peeling paint that resembles water damage
- Tiny exit holes in drywall with fine powder beneath them
- Piles of discarded wings near windows and doors (from spring swarmers)
- Sagging floors or doors that suddenly stick in their frames
Annual professional inspections cost $75-$150 and catch infestations before structural damage occurs. If you live in a high-risk zone (the southern US from coast to coast), an annual inspection is one of the smartest home maintenance investments you can make. Knowing how to kill termites matters most when you catch them early enough that the damage is still minor and the treatment is straightforward.
