Termite Treatment Cost in Los Angeles — 2026 Pricing Guide

Los Angeles is classified in the USDA's Very Heavy termite pressure zone — the highest risk category for structural termite damage in the United States. Greater LA faces both drywood termites (which swarm in late summer and fall and live entirely within wood) and subterranean termites (which build mud tubes from the soil and are active year-round). This dual-species pressure means LA homeowners often deal with multiple active infestations simultaneously.

Termite damage in California costs property owners an estimated $1.5 billion annually in repair costs. In LA, the combination of older housing stock (many homes built before 1980 with wood framing), the mild climate that keeps termites active 365 days a year, and the high cost of California labor mean that termite treatment and damage repair costs are among the highest in the nation.

Unlike most pest problems where you have weeks to address an issue, termite infestations damage wood silently and continuously. A drywood termite colony can consume a quart of wood annually. A subterranean termite colony of 300,000 workers can eat through a linear foot of 2x4 lumber in about 120 days. Early detection and treatment is always significantly less expensive than treating a mature, widespread infestation.

Drywood Termite Treatment Options:

Spot Treatment (Localized Chemical or Physical):
Cost: $250–$1,500 per treated area
Best for: Small, confirmed, accessible infestations where the extent is fully visible
Process: Drilled holes are filled with termiticide, or a heat gun/microwave device targets the infested section
Limitation: Does not treat areas of the structure not visually inspected or accessible

Whole-Structure Heat Treatment:
Cost: $1,500–$5,000 for an average single-family home
Best for: Drywood termite infestations where exact location is uncertain; alternative to fumigation for homeowners who cannot tent
Process: The structure is heated to 120–130°F for several hours, killing all drywood termites throughout the structure
Note: Not effective for subterranean termites (which can escape to the soil)

Whole-Structure Fumigation (Tenting):
Cost: $2,000–$12,000+ for a single-family home
Calculation basis: Cubic feet of structure × fumigant rate

• 1,000–1,500 sq ft home: $2,000–$3,500
• 1,500–2,500 sq ft home: $3,000–$6,000
• 2,500–4,000 sq ft home: $5,000–$9,000
• 4,000+ sq ft home: $8,000–$15,000+
  Best for: Widespread or inaccessible drywood termite infestations; most thorough available treatment
  Process: Tarps cover the structure; sulfuryl fluoride gas penetrates all wood for 24–72 hours; structure is then aerated

Termidor (Fipronil) Liquid Soil Treatment:
Cost: $800–$3,000 for an average home
Calculation basis: Linear feet of exterior foundation treated
Process: A trench is dug around the foundation; Termidor is applied to the soil at a precise rate; the trench is backfilled. Creates a treated zone that subterranean termites cannot detect or avoid.
Duration: Typically provides 8–10 years of protection

Sentricon or Advance Bait Station System:
Installation: $1,200–$2,500
Annual monitoring and maintenance: $300–$600/year
Process: Stations are installed around the perimeter; workers feed on the bait and share it with the colony; the colony is eliminated over 90 days
Best for: Ongoing monitoring and prevention; properties where liquid treatment cannot be applied (near wells, water features)

Subterranean termites often require both soil treatment AND structural repair of damaged wood — repair costs are separate from treatment costs.

Beyond the treatment itself, LA homeowners should budget for:

Temporary housing during fumigation: $100–$500+ per night for a hotel or short-term rental during the 2–3 day fumigation process. Most homeowners are displaced for 2–4 nights total (including prep and aeration time).

Pre-fumigation preparation: Removing and bagging food in impermeable bags (Nylofume bags — provided by some companies, purchased separately at $2–$5 each), arranging pet boarding, notifying neighbors.

Structural repairs: Termite-damaged wood typically needs replacement after treatment. Small repairs (a few studs or joists) cost $500–$2,000. Significant structural damage (subfloor, roof framing, main beams) can cost $5,000–$30,000+. This is separate from treatment.

Annual re-inspection: After treatment, annual inspections ($0–$150) ensure the property remains termite-free and allow early detection of new activity.

Get 2–3 competing estimates: Termite fumigation prices can vary 30–50% between companies for the same job. Always get multiple written estimates.

Understand what is included: Confirm whether the estimate includes the full process (tarp-up, fumigation, aeration, clearance testing), structural repair recommendations, and any warranty period.

Evaluate the warranty: Most fumigation companies offer a 1–2 year warranty for drywood termite control. Some offer longer transferable warranties for an additional fee, which can be valuable if you plan to sell the home.

Free inspections are standard: Never pay for an initial termite inspection in LA. Any reputable company will inspect for free and provide a written report.

Timing: There is no off-season for termite treatment in LA (unlike cold climates). However, scheduling during shoulder seasons (February–April or October–November) may give you slightly more flexibility with scheduling.

Call LA Pest Pros if you notice any of these signs: mud tubes running up your foundation or along walls; small piles of hexagonal wood pellets (frass) near wood joints or on windowsills; hollow-sounding wood when tapped; discarded wings on windowsills after summer or fall; buckling or blistering paint on wood surfaces without a moisture source; or wood that crumbles when probed. See our full guide: Signs of Termites in Your Home.

Call (213) 555-0187 for a free termite inspection. LA Pest Pros serves 42 cities across Greater Los Angeles.

Free termite inspections and written estimates. Call (213) 555-0187 — we respond within 15 minutes. LA Pest Pros serves 42 cities across Greater LA.