What Attracts Termites to a House?

In short, termites are attracted to wood and moisture. The termites in your home may have arrived there due to: Leaky pipes Improper drainage A lack of airflow Wood inside your home Cracks in the foundation Wood that is in contact with the soil

How Quickly Can Termites Destroy a Home?

Just how quickly termites can destroy a home depends on the species of termite and the size of their colony. It is estimated that it will take three to eight years for termites to inflict noticeable damage to your home, which if left untreated, will eventually cause enough damage to render the home unlivable. In the meantime, you will notice wood damage, ruined carpets and flooring, and other unpleasant impacts of termites in your home.

How Many Years Does a Termite Treatment Last?

A termite treatment consisting of liquid chemicals sprayed in and around a home can last five years or more. Termite bait stations that are placed in a home, while possibly safer and more environmentally friendly, will only last a year and need to be monitored for effectiveness and maintained on an ongoing basis to ensure continued success.

Is Tenting Better Than Spot Treatment for Termites?

In the case of a widespread infestation, tenting does prove to be more effective for eradicating termites from a home. This is because of the completeness of the procedure, as opposed to spot treatments that only attack known termite locations. If your termite problem is focused on specific areas of your home, spot treatments may prove to be effective. A professional inspection from one of the best termite control companies will be able to advise which treatment method is best for your unique situation.

What Time of Year Is Best for Termite Inspection?

While many termite treatment companies will tell you that winter is the best time for regularly scheduled ongoing treatments, springtime is the best time of year for a termite inspection. This is because, in the moist spring months, it can be more easily determined if a termite colony has deemed your home a good residence. If so, you can proceed with an effective treatment plan immediately before a full-scale infestation begins.

What Chemicals Do Professionals Use to Get Rid of Termites?

Not all pest control professionals turn to chemicals to get rid of termites, but when they do, it's chemicals such as arsenic trioxide, bifenthrin, permethrin, fipronil, and imidacloprid that are used. Some of these are less toxic than others, so consult the termite control companies near you should you have concerns about the potential impact certain chemicals may have on your yard, garden, family, and pets.

Do You Have to Wash Everything After Termite Fumigation?

Yes, after termite fumigation in your home, you will want to wipe down and wash everything. This includes wiping doorknobs, surfaces, toilets, and floors, and washing all linens and curtains.

Are There Any DIY Treatments for Termites?

It is possible to treat termites yourself; however, it is far easier and more effective to take steps to prevent them from being attracted to your home than it is to exterminate them once they've moved in. Some of the DIY treatments for termites include cardboard traps and baiting, essential oil, heat or cold treatments, and boric acid. To ensure the safety of your home's structure, it is best to rely on one of the best termite control companies and their guarantees to leave your house entirely free of dangerous termites.

5 Best Termite Control Companies of 2023

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

No one ever wants to hear the dreaded "T" word. As a new homeowner, you'll be crossing your fingers and toes that no termites will be found during the inspection and then looking to hire the best termite control company to create a literal forcefield around your home every year. This is because a single termite colony, which frighteningly can consist of roughly 60,000 or in rare cases even a million termites, has the ability to eat up to a pound of wood each day. But what are those pesky bugs? Where do they come from? What do they want with your house, and how do the best termite treatment companies help to protect you and your home?

The best termite exterminator is going to listen to your concerns, be responsive to your needs, teach you about the pests, and, most importantly, eliminate the termite infestation correctly the first time and protect your home going forward. There are a variety of things you will want to consider before picking the best company for termite control, such as its years of experience, the treatment options available, and pricing plans. Additionally, as you're searching for the "best termite control companies near me," it's important to know what to ask. Questions like, what products will be used to treat termites inside and outside of your home and whether they are safe for humans, pets, and the natural elements of your property, are essential to ensuring your family, trees, flowers, and shrubs stay safe.

Even if you are able to successfully identify the damage termites may have caused to your home, you won't be able to fully grasp the impact without professional help from one of the best termite control companies in the U.S. Before hiring one, consider the body of work, experience of its staff, and the treatments each company uses to both exterminate the termites and then create a barrier to keep them away from your home.

Best Termite Control Companies of 2023

Best for Emergencies: Orkin
Best for Yearlong Service: Ehrlich
Best on a Budget: Terminix
Best Regional Service: Viking Pest Control
Best Environmentally Friendly Service: Bulwark Exterminating

Best for Emergencies: Orkin

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 48 states (all but Alaska and Wyoming)
Service Guarantee: 30-day money-back guarantee
Also Treats: Ticks, mosquitoes, ants, bedbugs, cockroaches, flies, centipedes, fleas, mites, rodents, moths, spiders, stink bugs, silverfish, earwigs, crickets, and more

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free termite inspections and quotes with no obligation
Same-day service
A thorough six-step process (from investigation to follow-up) for all pest control services
Custom-tailored pest control treatment plans to suit your unique needs and budget

Cons

No set prices

Why It Made the List

Orkin has made our list of the best termite control companies because, for over a century, the brand has been synonymous with pest control. It is the best termite exterminator for emergency termite treatment, as it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can respond to your needs quickly for same-day service if you call before noon. Orkin's same-day service is made possible through its extensive network of skilled professionals who receive over 160 hours of training in their first year of employment alone. There are over 400 branches located in almost every nook and cranny of America, save for Alaska (where termites do not reside) and Wyoming.

Orkin provides a thorough termite extermination plan designed just for you and your home through one of three methods: Termidor liquid treatments to exterminate termites, Sentricon bait and monitoring to disrupt the termite colony's molting process without causing any damage to your property or the environment, and Orkinfoam, which is capable of plugging and protecting critical gaps in exterior walls and ducts. Ultimately, because chemicals may be used during the process of getting rid of and then keeping your home safe from termites, the company recommends staying out of the house for a few hours after service. Even in urgent matters, when you use Orkin's priority line to receive a response to your emergency within 24 hours, you should address all questions about the effectiveness and safety of termite control with your local Orkin professional at the time of inspection and treatment. In the case that the treatment plans are not on par with a customer's expectations, Orkin offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, in addition to free visits in between treatments as needed.

Best for Yearlong Service: Ehrlich

Erhlich

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 19 states and Washington, D.C.
Service Guarantee: Ehrlich Termite Warranty (covers future termite damage and repairs, including re-treatments)
Also Treats: Bedbugs, bees and wasps, bird control, cockroaches, mice and rats, fleas, flies, ticks, mosquitos, wildlife management, snakes, spiders, spotted lanternflies, and stink bugs

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free termite inspections
Education about termite prevention
Year-round pest and termite control through the Ehrlich PestFree365+ program
Environmental, child, and pet-friendly treatment options

Cons

Service only available on the East Coast and in some of the midwestern states
Call centers open only Monday through Friday

Why It Made the List

Ehrlich is not simply in the business of being one of the best termite treatment companies, it's also a company that wants to educate and inform the communities of the various ways it operates and how to prevent termites from moving into your home to cause extensive damage. Through its environmentally safe and pet-and-child-friendly treatment options (certified by the National Pest Management Association), you can rest assured that your home will be protected from termites while your property and the people inside stay safe too.

While termite control is an add-on service through its PestFree365+ program, Ehrlich delivers year-round protection from three dozen of the most common bugs and pests most homeowners face throughout the changes in season. With regularly scheduled visits from professionals you can trust, as well as off-cycle treatments as needed at no additional charge, you can rely on Ehrlich to keep your home, yard, and family safe from all kinds of bugs, rodents, and animals.

While every home is unique and all termite control treatment plans will differ, the free instant quotes make it easy for customers to estimate how much termite extermination and protection will cost, and prepare accordingly. If you live on the East Coast of the U.S. or in midwestern states like Michigan and Tennessee, Ehrlich is the termite control company that'll be there for you to bait and monitor, fumigate, or perform spot treatments throughout the year.

Best on a Budget: Terminix

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 45 states
Service Guarantee: Nix Termite Guarantee (return visits as needed at no extra cost)
Also Treats: Scorpions, bedbugs, silverfish, cockroaches, moths, crickets, centipedes, millipedes, ticks, mosquitos, wildlife, spiders, stink bugs, mice, and other rodents

Pros & Cons

Pros

24/7 access to termite control professionals
Monthly termite control plans
Free termite infestation inspections and extermination quote
Online scheduling

Cons

Lack of transparency about the products used in termite treatments

Why It Made the List

Homeowners on a budget will appreciate Terminix's free termite inspections and the wide range of termite protection plans it offers. The company offers three plans that range from the basic, which is ideal for those on a tight budget, to a premium termite plan that also treats and protects against up to 13 additional common household pests, such as cockroaches, mice, ants, and spiders. Not only can you afford to exterminate and build a barrier against future termite damage with Terminix, but you also have the ability to easily bundle pest and mosquito control too.

What makes this one of the best termite treatment companies is the strategic and thorough approach to termite extermination and control. Terminix uses a three-part termite treatment applied to the interior, exterior, and other vulnerable areas of your home, effectively creating a zone of protection. This allows you to ensure that no matter what issues you and your family are facing in and around your home, you have access to the best termite exterminator that has been providing professional service for nearly 100 years. Additionally, Terminix offers a specialized defensive system to protect homeowners in Hawaii, Florida, and California from battling dry wood termites.

Best Regional Service: Viking Pest Control

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 4 states
Service Guarantee: Free return visits, but only with yearlong home protection plans
Also Treats: Cicadas, moths, spiders, ants, bats, mosquitos, hornets, earwigs, stink bugs, wasps, water bugs, mites, cockroaches, fleas, beetles, bees, wildlife control, birds, and more

Pros & Cons

Pros

Easy to switch from other bait and monitor termite control services
Residential and commercial building protection available
Free, no-obligation inspection and estimate
Online scheduling

Cons

Service area limited to New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania

Why It Made the List

If you live in PA, NJ, MD, or DE and search "best termite control companies near me," you will undoubtedly discover Viking Pest Control. While the company may only be located in those four states, homeowners fortunate enough to have access to its service can expect to receive an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) solution to their termite infestation problem. This means you will receive a highly effective, environmentally sensitive approach to the extermination of the termite colonies in and around your home.

Viking provides treatment plans that rely on a combination of common-sense practices performed by professionals who have an expert understanding of termite life cycles and their interaction with building structures specifically and the natural environment in general. In addition, Viking works to minimize any negative impact on you, your home, and the surrounding environment.

Viking Pest Control offers seasonal plans to address lanternfly, mosquito, and tick issues, as well as year-round plans that can protect your home, yard, pets, and family from up to 91 different pests, including termites, through an environmentally safe bait system. Including termite control in a home protection plan helps to make Viking stand out as the regional best termite exterminator to fit any budget and bug infestation issue you may be having at home.

Best Environmentally Friendly Service: Bulwark Exterminating

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 15 states
Service Guarantee: 100 percent bug-free re-treat guarantee
Also Treats: Spiders, bees, wasps, bedbugs, centipedes, scorpions, millipedes, ticks, moths, horseflies, hornets, springtails, fleas, crickets, cockroaches, grasshoppers, earwigs, gnats, aphids, silverfish, rice weevils, rodents, and more

Pros & Cons

Pros

A termite barrier using baits
Pet- and people-friendly treatments derived from natural chrysanthemum flowers
Family-owned and operated

Cons

Termite control services offered only during daytime from Monday through Saturday.
Extra fee for treating attics and crawl spaces

Why It Made the List

While many of the other best termite treatment companies are large corporations, Bulwark Exterminating is a family-owned and -operated business that eliminates termites and other pests using natural treatments derived from chrysanthemum flowers; they're nontoxic and safe for your children, pets, and gardens.

Whether you need a consistent, year-round plan to control termites (and other pests) or only want a one-time infestation treatment, Bulwark is one of the best termite control companies offering bait-based protection for your home. Termite treatments from Bulwark include a free inspection, placing of termite bait stations to create a barrier of protection around your house, and then the promise of ongoing monitoring to ensure that termites are taking the bait and not making it through into your home.

The first phone call into Bulwark gets you a free consultation to assess the full picture of your termite infestation as you are experiencing it, with help from the company's "ID A Bug" section of its website so that you know whether you're seeing damage from termites or another pest. This will be followed by an in-person inspection and then the treatment, which Bulwark says is less toxic than your toothpaste.

Final Verdict

From Orkin being the best call for termite infestation emergencies to Bulwark being your best bet for environmentally friendly termite treatment options, each of the best termite control companies offer homeowners uniquely different benefits. Homeowners in the Mid-Atlantic states, for example, should consider reaching out to Viking Pest Control to inquire about yearlong protection plans that include termite protection—a rarity among even the best termite treatment companies, while anyone on a tight budget will find solace in Terminix's tiered plans with monthly payments. Finally, Ehrlich's focus on consumer education makes it stand out for people who want to better understand how to best prevent termites from taking up residency in their homes.

Compare the Best Termite Control Companies

Company	Nationwide Availability	Service Guarantee	Online Scheduling?	Also Treats
Orkin Best for Emergencies	48 states	30-day money-back guarantee	No	Ticks, mosquitoes, ants, bedbugs, cockroaches, flies, centipedes, fleas, mites, rodents, moths, spiders, stink bugs, silverfish, earwigs, crickets, and more
Ehrlich Best for Yearlong Service	19 states and Washington D.C.	The Ehrlich Termite Warranty covers future termite damage and repairs, including re-treatments	No	Bedbugs, bees and wasps, bird control, cockroaches, mice and rats, fleas, flies, ticks, mosquitos, wildlife management, snakes, spiders, spotted lanternflies, and stink bugs
Terminix Best on a Budget	45 states	The Nix Termite Guarantee covers return visits as needed at no extra cost	Yes	Scorpions, bedbugs, silverfish, cockroaches, moths, crickets, centipedes, millipedes, ticks, mosquitos, wildlife, spiders, stink bugs, mice, and other rodents
Viking Pest Control Best Regional Service	4 states	Only with yearlong home protection plans	Yes	Cicadas, moths, spiders, ants, bats, mosquitos, hornets, earwigs, stink bugs, wasps, water bugs, mites, cockroaches, fleas, beetles, bees, wildlife control, birds, and more
Bulwark Exterminating Best Environmentally Friendly Service	15 states	100 percent bug-free re-treat guarantee	No	Spiders, bees, wasps, bedbugs, centipedes, scorpions, millipedes, ticks, moths, horseflies, hornets, springtails, fleas, crickets, cockroaches, grasshoppers, earwigs, gnats, aphids, silverfish, rice weevils, rodents, and more

Signs of Termite Damage

Termites are often found around windows and doors, the places in your home where there is easy access to exposed wood. If you find that a window or door is harder to open or close, it could be an early sign of termite damage. This is because when termites start eating the wood around frames, it warps, making windows and doors more difficult to open and close. Of course, significant structural problems are also common signs of termite damage, such as:

Sagging floors
Bubbling paint
Peeling wallpaper
Buckling wood
Dented areas of your home
Crumbling baseboards

Guide to Choosing a Termite Control Company

All of the best termite control companies will exterminate existing termite colonies and use their expertise to effectively form a barrier around your property to prevent them from returning. Selecting the best company for you, your home, and the unique termite situation you are facing, however, will depend on several factors. Here's what to consider as you choose the best company for termite control.

Company History

How long has the termite control company been in business? Do they have a century's worth of history in understanding bugs and treating homes in your community or are they a new firm with an unproven record? These are some of the questions you will want to ask as you choose the best termite exterminator for you and your house.

Experience

You want the staff of the termite control company you choose to have hours of training under their belt and vast knowledge of the molting patterns and feeding habits of termites. This way, you know a truly experienced professional will be taking care of your home today and in the future.

Treatment Options

There are several different ways the best termite control companies can successfully exterminate termite colonies and prevent the bugs from coming back. From chemical pesticides to eco-friendly baits, make sure you know what each company plans to use based on the severity of your infestation.

Cost

Every home and termite infestation problem is unique. While it is practically impossible to price shop before making phone calls or sending online inquiries, there is a significant variance in the cost of termite extermination. Your cost should be determined by whether your termite problem is widespread or just impacting a small section of your home.

Availability

Some termite control companies are available for same-day service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while others operate only on weekdays during normal business hours. Before choosing among the best termite treatment companies, make sure you know how responsive they will be to your needs.

How Do Pest Control Companies Get Rid of Termites?

While some DIY options exist, there are a variety of ways a pest control company will work to get rid of the termites in your home. From chemical sprays, foams, and baits, the methods for exterminating and preventing termites are fairly standard, with most of the best termite control companies offering some or all of the following:

Professional-grade termite-killing liquid sprays (like Termidor)
Foams to fill vulnerable gaps in structures
Termite baits
Spot treatment
Beneficial nematodes (roundworms)

How Much Do Termite Treatments Typically Cost?

Because no two homes are exactly alike, the type and cost associated with the successful treatment of termites will vary from situation to situation. That said, there are some guidelines for what you can expect to pay to completely eradicate termites from your home and then effectively prevent termites in your home. You can expect to pay between $330 and $820 for a typical termite treatment. For larger infestations requiring significant and widespread fumigation as well as tenting of your home, you can expect to pay $1,280 to $3,000 or more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Attracts Termites to a House?
In short, termites are attracted to wood and moisture. The termites in your home may have arrived there due to:
- Leaky pipes
- Improper drainage
- A lack of airflow
- Wood inside your home
- Cracks in the foundation
- Wood that is in contact with the soil
How Quickly Can Termites Destroy a Home?

Just how quickly termites can destroy a home depends on the species of termite and the size of their colony. It is estimated that it will take three to eight years for termites to inflict noticeable damage to your home, which if left untreated, will eventually cause enough damage to render the home unlivable. In the meantime, you will notice wood damage, ruined carpets and flooring, and other unpleasant impacts of termites in your home.
How Many Years Does a Termite Treatment Last?

A termite treatment consisting of liquid chemicals sprayed in and around a home can last five years or more. Termite bait stations that are placed in a home, while possibly safer and more environmentally friendly, will only last a year and need to be monitored for effectiveness and maintained on an ongoing basis to ensure continued success.
Is Tenting Better Than Spot Treatment for Termites?

In the case of a widespread infestation, tenting does prove to be more effective for eradicating termites from a home. This is because of the completeness of the procedure, as opposed to spot treatments that only attack known termite locations. If your termite problem is focused on specific areas of your home, spot treatments may prove to be effective. A professional inspection from one of the best termite control companies will be able to advise which treatment method is best for your unique situation.
What Time of Year Is Best for Termite Inspection?

While many termite treatment companies will tell you that winter is the best time for regularly scheduled ongoing treatments, springtime is the best time of year for a termite inspection. This is because, in the moist spring months, it can be more easily determined if a termite colony has deemed your home a good residence. If so, you can proceed with an effective treatment plan immediately before a full-scale infestation begins.
What Chemicals Do Professionals Use to Get Rid of Termites?

Not all pest control professionals turn to chemicals to get rid of termites, but when they do, it's chemicals such as arsenic trioxide, bifenthrin, permethrin, fipronil, and imidacloprid that are used. Some of these are less toxic than others, so consult the termite control companies near you should you have concerns about the potential impact certain chemicals may have on your yard, garden, family, and pets.
Do You Have to Wash Everything After Termite Fumigation?

Yes, after termite fumigation in your home, you will want to wipe down and wash everything. This includes wiping doorknobs, surfaces, toilets, and floors, and washing all linens and curtains.
Are There Any DIY Treatments for Termites?

It is possible to treat termites yourself; however, it is far easier and more effective to take steps to prevent them from being attracted to your home than it is to exterminate them once they've moved in. Some of the DIY treatments for termites include cardboard traps and baiting, essential oil, heat or cold treatments, and boric acid. To ensure the safety of your home's structure, it is best to rely on one of the best termite control companies and their guarantees to leave your house entirely free of dangerous termites.

Methodology

We reviewed more than a dozen termite control companies to find the best choices based on a mix of criteria, including franchise locations, range of treatment options, environmental consciousness, and service guarantees.

As part of our research, we tested how much information a customer could obtain before needing to request a quote and/or inspection. Due to the nature of this business, all five companies listed above divulge very little about pricing online. Ultimately, termite treatment costs are based on a number of factors, such as the severity of the infestation and the customer's tolerance of chemicals versus more eco-friendly options to exterminate the insects.

Was this page helpful?