How much does it cost to get rid of termites in Florida?

Reviewed by Irene Pomares remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Termites cause billions of dollars of damage to homes and businesses around the United States every year. They are a common adversary for homeowners in Florida. Termite colonies spread slowly but may eventually grow to cause incredible damage. In addition to wooden house framing, termites consume furnishings like chairs and couches made of wood, which means virtually any home in Florida is a target.

Termite treatment options in Florida vary in cost and depend on the severity of the infestation. Statewide, the average cost is $600 for a liquid treatment around the perimeter of a 2,500 sq.ft. home. In most cases, the price ranges from $400 to $1,870. On the low end, termite companies in Florida charge $300 for a basic barrier treatment around a garage. High-end jobs cost approximately $6,800 with a full house heat treatment and barrier protection along the outer walls for a 2,500 sq.ft. house. As with any pest treatment, the type of treatment, the difficulty of application, and the overall treatment scope influence the final cost.

Average Cost of Termite Treatment in Florida

Tent vs No Tent Termite Treatment in Florida Cost

Extermination companies usually perform one of two types of termite treatments. The first is termite treatment with tenting, and the other is without tenting. Florida termite and pest control companies may recommend tenting with widespread infestations from drywood termites. On the other hand, termite treatments without tenting are appropriate for treating individual colonies around the home that live under the ground.

If you catch a termite infestation early, you may qualify for tentless extermination. However, if your termite infestation is an advanced case of drywood termites, your exterminator will have the most success eradicating your termites with a tent treatment. Nationwide, tenting costs range from $1 to $3 per sq.ft. In Florida, the average price sits a little higher at $1.10 to $4 per sq.ft. For tentless treatments, costs nationwide average $3 to $16 per linear foot, while Florida tentless termite treatments range from $4 to $16.45.

Termite Tenting in Florida

The cost to tent a house for termites in Florida varies depending on the specific type of tenting treatment employed, but the average cost ranges from $1.10 to $4 per sq.ft. Tenting is the best option for eradicating drywood termites that burrow and hide within the home’s wooden structures. One whole-house treatment option is fumigation. After placing the structure under a large tent, the exterminator releases termite-killing chemicals throughout the home. A second tenting option is heat treatment, which employs heat rather than chemicals to eradicate termites. Homeowners may choose heat treatments because of the reduced risk to the environment and family pets after treatment.

No Tent Termite Treatment in Florida

At an average cost of $4 to $16.45 per linear foot, options for termite treatment without tenting in Florida include micro treatments, liquid perimeter treatments, termite baiting, and termite barrier treatments. Micro treatments for termites help when an exterminator finds a single, small infestation. Treatment may include spot, microwave, or heat application. Another option for non-tent termite treatment is liquid termite treatment, which helps with subterranean termites. The exterminator may use baiting for subterranean termites, attracting termites to poison and gradually killing the colony. A termite barrier is a final tentless option and is often used for new construction to keep termites away from the structure

Cost of Termite Treatment in Florida per Square Foot

When a termite treatment company suggests that you tent your house to exterminate your termites, they measure the square footage of your home and price the job according to the home's total size. The average costs to treat termites in Florida range between $1,030 and $12,000. These costs rise and fall for smaller and larger homes. In Florida, you see slightly higher prices for tenting due to the higher-than-average costs for certain services in Florida versus the averages of the entire country.

Average Cost of Termite Treatment in Florida per Linear Foot

​​Exterminators usually use linear feet for tentless termite treatments to price their work because they use that measurement to place bait stations and other treatment devices. When the exterminator knows the linear feet of your home, they price their work according to the number of bait stations needed. The cost of living in Florida for housing and utilities is higher than the national average. Therefore, the average prices for termite treatments in Florida are often slightly higher than in other states. Average costs in Florida start on the low end at $400 for 100 linear feet and increase to a high-end cost of $6,580 for 400 linear feet.

Average Cost of Termite Treatment in Florida

You may want to explore termite protection plans in Florida that keep minor infestations from becoming a huge problem. Setting up regular visits with an exterminator helps you keep your home termite-free after tenting. The frequency of visits depends on the type of treatment your exterminator recommends. Some termite treatments take months to reach full effectiveness, and others offer a swifter end to the infestation.

As far as frequency is concerned, a termite bait station takes several months to work, which means you will likely select a plan for quarterly visits. On the other hand, a liquid treatment lasts much longer and requires no more than a single yearly visit for an inspection and reapplication. In Florida, subterranean infestations are particularly harmful, which means your termite company often recommends liquid treatment and a yearly contract.

Termite Treatment Cost in Florida by Size of Infestation

The probability of termite infestations for homeowners in Florida is "very heavy," according to termite infestation probability maps circulated by government departments like the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The arrival of non-native termite species like the subterranean Formosan termite has become a serious problem for Floridians, particularly for homeowners living in South Florida. Termite control companies have seen an increase in severe infestations in the state's southern half.

With the significant likelihood of termites attacking your home in Florida, keep an eye out for signs of termite infestation, which can tell you the size of your infestation and how much it might cost to treat. If you find termite wings or droppings when you have never seen them before, you might have a small infestation that is starting to grow. Termite swarms and dead termites may mean a medium infestation. Swollen wood panels on the floors or walls may indicate a significant infestation.

If a termite inspection reveals you have a small or medium infestation, your exterminator will conduct spot treatments or tentless treatments. Large infestations of subterranean termites may require extensive liquid treatments in the ground. Subterranean termites are a common threat in Florida. However, if you have a large or severe infestation of drywood termites, you need to get your house tented.

Termite Treatment in Florida Cost by Type of Termite

According to the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida is home to three types of termites. Types of termites in Florida include subterranean termites, drywood termites, and dampwood termites. Treatment options for your infestation depend on the severity and type of termites in your home. Subterranean termites are harmful and common in the state of Florida.

If your home has damp areas or standing water, you may attract subterranean termites in Florida. Treatment options usually include liquid application. When an infestation starts to grow, you may begin to see mud tubes that the subterranean termites use to transport food to their colony. Subterranean termites can cause serious damage and are one of the most damaging termites in the country. Reducing moisture around your home helps you keep subterranean termites away after treatment.

Drywood termites in Florida are not easily detected unless they are actively swarming. Often, an infestation is not apparent until a homeowner conducts some repair work on the house that reveals damaged wood inside the home. Colonies may have just 1,000 individuals and take many years to grow. Shedded wings and fecal pellets may indicate the presence of drywood termites; however, pellets may also suggest an infestation of dampwood termites. Figuring out how to treat drywood termites in Florida requires measuring the severity of the infestation. Widespread drywood termite infestations often require tenting.

Dampwood termites in Florida are also a threat, but they are less common than other types of termites in Florida. Like drywood termites, dampwood termites nest in wood. However, the dampwood variety needs damp wood (as their name suggests) to build a colony. After your exterminator completes dampwood termite treatment, eliminate any decaying or damp wood around the home. Replace damaged wood with specially treated wood designed to resist future infestations.

Pre Construction Termite Treatment in Florida

Florida's building codes contain rules designed to prevent future termite infestations after the builder completes construction on a new house. Termite detection is often difficult unless the infestation is severe. Following Florida building codes reduces the likelihood of a future infestation. For example, termite protection in Florida building code Section R318.6 requires minimum distances for discharge lines and gutter downspouts. Florida building code for termite treatment Section R318.4 requires a space between walls to allow easy inspections for evidence of termites.

Termite Inspection Cost in Florida

Florida offers termites ideal weather to invade homes and build colonies, which means yearly termite inspections help you prevent paying thousands of dollars down the line for a severe infestation. An inspection costs between $75 and $150 in Florida. Adding a termite clearance letter or official termite report adds $100 to $200 to your total inspection cost. Some companies offer a free inspection when setting up a treatment contract. The inspector takes one or two hours to complete the task, during which they check the subfloor area, the garage, and any crawl spaces throughout the home. The best time to set up an inspection is in the spring because that is when termites are most likely to reveal themselves during swarming activities.

Signs of Termites in Florida

Termites are pervasive throughout Florida, but that does not mean you are doomed to experience a massive infestation. When you pay attention to the warning signs of a termite infestation, you reduce the long-term costs associated with treatment. In Florida, you will see common symptoms like mud tubes, feces, and discarded wings.

You may also see them flying around during swarming season in the spring and notice warped wood and cracks in the walls. However, it is not just the physical signs that indicate a colony of termites lives in your Florida home. Did you know you can also hear termites? If you listen carefully, you might hear a rattling or crunching sound, which means they are actively munching on the wood in your home.

How Often Should You Treat for Termites in Florida?

Florida is a popular place for termites, which means it is essential to remain on top of treatment schedules when you live in The Sunshine State. In addition to annual inspections, you need to invest in treatment at least once every five years if you have your house tented. If your exterminator utilizes spot treatments, you need treatment at least once a year. Bait stations require a quarterly schedule or contract. If your house has a history of termite infestations, increase the frequency of your treatment visits to stay ahead of the infestation. Monthly inspections and spot treatments prevent an infestation from taking hold.

How to Prevent Termites in Florida

As a homeowner, you can prevent termites from spreading or returning to your home after treatment by conducting minor home maintenance. Fixing leaky faucets and broken pipes helps you avoid dampwood termite infestations. Removing wood piles around your home and moving them far away from the structure help you avoid drywood termite infestations. General decluttering and cleaning of your house reduces the number of places where termites might congregate in your home. If you build a home from scratch or complete a major remodel, make sure your house follows the state's termite-related building codes.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Termite Bond in Florida

A termite bond is a warranty agreement between a Florida termite company and a client, including two parts. The termite company agrees to offer inspections on a timeline established in the bond and provide treatment if an inspection discovers termites. The agreement may include a provision to provide repairs. A bond is beneficial when homeowners want to sell their house and costs between $700 and $1,000.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Termite insurance in Florida. Homeowners insurance in Florida typically does not include coverage for termites. Some policies specifically state that termite coverage is not part of the policy. The reason for excluding termites in insurance policies is because termite damage is gradual and often preventable, which is not like a typical emergency during which a homeowner might make an insurance claim.
• Termite season in Florida. The easiest time to detect termites is in the spring, when they swarm and exit their nests to find mates and start new colonies. However, termites remain active all year and never stop destroying the wood in and around the home. The warm climate year-round in Florida also encourages termites to stay very busy throughout every season.
• Controversy on termite bonds. Some controversy exists regarding termite bonds, with some citizens submitting complaints to the State of Florida and the Better Business Bureau because of their poor experiences making claims. Before you purchase a bond, you may want to research the reputation of your chosen termite exterminator.