How much does a termite treatment cost in Sydney?

“How much does a termite treatment cost?” is a common question we get from many homeowners. The answer is, “It depends.” And here’s why…

Type of termite treatment

There are two types of termite treatments – soil treatments to the soil around and under the home, and termite monitoring and baiting systems. The best termite treatment for your house depends on a number of factors, such as construction type, soil type, environmental considerations, personal preference and cost. For some properties only one type of termite treatment would be appropriate. However, for many properties either system would be appropriate and so often it becomes a question of cost.

Termite soil treatments tend to be more expensive to installed but cheaper to maintain (only require annual termite inspections). Termite baiting systems are cheaper to install but more expensive to maintain, as the system generally requires quarterly inspections in addition to the annual property termite inspection.

Size of the house

One of the obvious factors that impact the cost of the termite treatment is the size of the house. Houses with a longer perimeter length, with have a higher treatment cost as there is a longer distance to dig and more chemical to apply or bait stations to install.

Construction type

The construction type of the house has a big impact on the cost, especially for soil treatments. If the house has a sub-floor and a chemical treatment is to be applied, in addition to applying the treatment to the perimeter of the house, the chemical needs to be applied around the base of each pier. This makes it significantly more expensive than a house built of concrete slab on ground construction, when the chemical only has to be applied around the perimeter of the building.

For some buildings which have a concrete slab built on fill, and a chemical treatment is required, it may also be necessary to drill and inject the slab on the inside of the building.

As well as the construction of the main building, any landscaping around the perimeter of the building will also impact the cost. Solid concrete surfaces will need to be drilled to inject chemical or install a bait station, and pavers will need to be lifted and re-laid.

Soil type

For soil treatments, the soil type is also important. Termite chemicals perform best in a sandy loam soil. With clay soils they don’t mix well and with sandy or stony soils they can leach away with heavy rain. If a soil treatment is required and the soil is unsuitable, it will need to be removed and replaced with a sandy loam soil before treatment, adding to the cost.

Termite Treatment Prices

So, there are a lot of factors that go into the price of a termite treatment. But for an average 4-bedroom house on a concrete slab (on ground), a soil treatment by a quality pest control company will likely start from close to $4000. However, for a multi-bedroom mansion with a sub-floor it could be a lot more. Installation of baiting systems will start nearer $2500, but there will also be a quarterly maintenance fee.

Regular termite inspections are still required

Don’t forget that whatever termite treatment you have, regular termite inspections (normally annually) will be required to maintain any warranty.

Whether you are looking to have a termite treatment to prevent a damaging termite attack or need a treatment to eliminate termites and protect your home, it isn’t a small investment. And although it’s important to get more than one quote, it’s also important to make sure you pay for a quality treatment from an experience and fully insured termite professional.

However, when you’re protecting your most valuable asset, a termite treatment is certainly a smart investment, as termite damage is not covered by standard home insurance.