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

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

The most common termites in Maryland are Eastern subterranean termites. They are the only termite species that is indigenous to Maryland. Termites are common across the United States and cause billions of dollars of damage. They are a cause for concern for Maryland homeowners. Termite infestations in Maryland may grow for many years without detection because most colonies live underground. Their presence is only made obvious when a homeowner starts to see damage to their home. Unfortunately, many homeowners do not find out they have termites until they are a severe problem.

Treating termites in Maryland costs approximately $560, equal to a liquid treatment on a 2,500 sq.ft. home. Treatment in Maryland for termites ranges from $325 to $1,300, depending on how many termites have infested a home. On the low side, Maryland homeowners should expect to pay around $260 for treatment, including a basic inspection and a barrier treatment placed around a small property. For the largest infestations, the cost to treat approaches $7,000 and involves a full house heat treatment and a barrier treatment for a 2,500 sq.ft. residence.

Termite Treatment Cost in Maryland

Tent vs No Tent Termite Treatment Cost in Maryland

Termite treatment companies in Maryland have two main treatment options at their disposal. The first type is tenting, used to fight drywood termites in Maryland. Tenting requires the treatment company to put a large drape over the entire home, seal it, and deliver chemicals or heat into the structure to kill termites. Drywood termites are not a significant threat to Maryland homeowners. For jobs that require tenting, the average cost is between $1.10 and $3.25 per sq.ft., which is higher than the $1 to $3 per sq.ft. for the entire country.

Most termite extermination plans feature tentless applications, which cost between $3.25 and $17.20 per linear foot, a little higher than the national average of $3 to $16 per linear foot. These treatments might include spot treatments, bait systems, soil treatments, or liquid treatments. Significant infestations will often require multiple types of tentless treatments during each visit.

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Termite Treatment Cost in Maryland per Square Foot

Termite treatments in Maryland measured by the square foot range from $1.10 to $3.25. These costs are just a little higher than the national average because Maryland’s cost of living is higher than elsewhere. Homes in Maryland are a little larger than elsewhere, so it is common to see prices in the $2,150 to $6,490 range for an average size home of 2,000 sq.ft. Exterminators use square foot measurements to price their tent treatments and fight drywood termites. Even if a house does not fit within one of the convenient sizes in the table below, it is just a matter of multiplying the per-square-foot costs to get an idea of the range.

Cost for Termite Treatment in Maryland per Linear Foot

When fighting subterranean termites in Maryland, the most common type of termite, the cost ranges between $3.25 and $17.20 per linear foot. This is a little higher than the national average because of the higher cost of living in Maryland. Getting a linear foot measurement means measuring the length and width of the treatment area. In many cases, these figures are not just for the square feet in the home. Tentless treatments are often delivered in the yard because subterranean termites burrow underground and require treatment outside the home and under it. For 100 linear feet, Maryland homeowners might pay from $325 to $1,720. A small structure like a garage might require treatment of around 100 linear feet. For a large property or treatment of a significantly sized yard, a homeowner might expect to pay between $1,300 and $6,880 to treat 400 linear feet. It is worth noting that tenting a home where the work is priced according to square feet is often followed up with spot treatments or tentless applications with a price based on linear feet.

Termite Control Cost in Maryland by Frequency

Termites often require multiple visits from an exterminator. Some homeowners in Maryland might find it useful to enroll in a termite contract program. A monthly contract costs between $710 and $965, but a single yearly visit should cost from $190 to $430. Treatment companies cannot eradicate subterranean termites with tenting, so repeated visits for tentless treatments are often required to eradicate the bugs. If an exterminator decides that the best way to fight the termites is repeated applications, the most affordable option is usually a termite contract. However, termite contracts are not required for treatment. It is always the homeowner’s choice whether to set up a contract. A one-time visit should cost between $210 and $515.

Maryland Termite Treatment Cost by Severity of Infestation

Not all infestations are the same size, and costs vary depending on how much product, time, and effort the exterminator must use to eradicate the termites. Costs for Maryland homeowners range from $265 to $1,290 for a small infestation where the exterminator might use spot treatments to eradicate drywood termites in the home or, more often, use treatments like bait traps to fight subterranean termites. When the infestation reaches a medium size and signs become more apparent, the cost increases to $430 to $1,615.

Unfortunately, costs begin to skyrocket as the infestation is left to grow. By the time the infestation reaches a large size, the presence of termites is quite apparent as the termites eat through the wood on the property or in the home. The cost to fight a large infestation ranges from $1,290 to $4,850. When an infestation reaches the severe level, the signs are quite obvious. It is hard to deny that a house is starting to reach a point where serious repairs are needed along with termite treatment. Costs for a severe infestation range from $1,290 to $7,000.

Termite Treatment Cost in Maryland by Type of Termite

Most termites in Maryland are subterranean termites. Homeowners may see any one of three types of subterranean termites attacking their homes. In Maryland, the cost to eradicate subterranean termites is between $270 and $1,625. Termite species include the eastern subterranean termite, the dark southeastern subterranean termite, and the light southeastern subterranean termite. The eastern subterranean termite, Maryland’s native termite species, lives in underground colonies along with the dark southeastern and light southeastern types. They are difficult to detect until they have started to impact the home’s foundation, so it is essential to get regular inspections around the entire property.

Drywood termites are uncommon in Maryland, but it is still helpful to understand the costs involved in fighting them. There is no guarantee they will not start to attack homes more frequently in Maryland at some point as populations migrate. The cost to fight drywood termites varies between $1,080 and $7,000. The high cost to treat drywood termites is due to the frequency of the tenting treatments that are required to fight bad infestations. Maryland homeowners do not need to worry about dampwood termites because exterminators have not found any dampwood termite colonies in the state.

Termite Inspection Maryland Cost

Homeowners might not notice a termite invasion until the problem is significantly advanced. A termite inspection from a professional might offer the best option for detecting termites early. Termite inspections usually cost between $100 and $200 for Maryland homeowners, but it is possible to get the fee waived by setting up a termite contract or agreeing to a treatment plan. Inspections are quite helpful because a small or new infestation is always much easier and less expensive to treat than worse infestations.

An inspection usually takes just a few hours. Some inspections may take even less time when the property is small. Treatment companies usually recommend that homeowners get an inspection at least once a year, particularly after receiving treatment, so the exterminator can confirm that termites have not returned. Inspections require the inspector to look in every nook and cranny of the property, including a look in the attic, basement, and all around the yard.

Signs of Termites in Maryland

One of the easiest ways to lower the cost of treating termites is to catch them early when their infestation is not far along. Costs rise dramatically as infestations get worse. The first signs of a termite infestation are hardly noticeable and may feature some discarded wings on the floor or around the property. Often, these wings appear during swarms in the warm months. When left alone, the small infestation can grow to a medium size where there might be some evidence of damage to the wooden parts of the home or property.

Timbers might appear cracked or worn. Mud tubes might appear around the foundation of the home, indicating subterranean termites. Wood shavings might appear near the baseboards in the home, suggesting a drywood termite infestation. When the infestation grows to a large size, the damage to the home or property becomes much more evident, with wood starting to appear bent. The damage can worsen when the infestation becomes severe with the possibility of structural collapse.

How Often Should You Treat Termites in Maryland?

The best time to treat termites is any time they are found. Waiting to treat termites may prove disastrous to the home and the homeowner’s bank account. Until termites are fully eradicated, monthly or quarterly treatments are recommended. Homeowners who receive a liquid barrier treatment designed to prevent future infestations should get about five years of protection. Yearly inspections are still recommended, just in case of a failure in the barrier.

Homeowners should consider quarterly visits if their exterminator places bait systems and yearly visits after tenting to ensure termites have not returned. Those yearly visits may or may not result in spot treatments being applied to the home, depending on whether termites are found. Note that termites are active all year long even though they only swarm and become visible in the warm months. Homeowners can treat their termite problem at any time of the year, even if it is winter or the weather is not cooperating.

How to Prevent Termites in Maryland

It is almost guaranteed that a homeowner will see termites on their property at one point or another. Whether as a small colony attacking a fencepost or as a huge infestation eating the foundation of a home, termites are everywhere in Maryland. To prevent termites, one of the best things a homeowner can do is keep a clean home. It is much easier to notice termites when there are no obstructions around areas like the baseboards in the home. Removing wood from the property is important because less wood means fewer termites looking for food. Try to eliminate rotting wood. Make sure any wood piles used for winter fireplaces are not stacked next to the home.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• DIY. The best person to fight an infestation of termites is a licensed professional. Exterminators use the most effective chemicals to treat termites. A DIY spot treatment like a spray can is only helpful in catching termites who come out of hiding.
• Season. Termites are most active during their swarming seasons in the warm months, but technically, they are always active. Just because a homeowner does not see termites flying around does not mean they are not actively chewing away at the wood.
• Insurance. Homeowners must not assume their insurance covers termites. Homeowners are expected to handle insect infestations on their own. A substitute for insurance is a yearly inspection, which helps catch infestations early.
• Warranty. New homes may come with a warranty, which may include coverage for termite infestations that occur within a certain number of years since the building was first constructed.
• Pre-construction treatment. Almost all new construction in Maryland receives pre-treatments or “pre-treats” during the building process. The Maryland government provides specifics on how and when pre-construction treatment should be handled.
• Termite companies in Maryland. Since termites are a problem in Maryland, it is not too difficult to find a company to help. Major termite companies operate in the state, but local small-business exterminators are also available to help. Many of these hardworking companies feature A+ or A ratings with the BBB.
• Termite bonds in Maryland. At the cost of $500 to $2,000, a termite bond guarantees that an exterminator will treat future termite infestations after the initial treatment if and when those infestations occur. Homeowners may purchase a termite bond for protection since homeowners insurance does not cover termites.