We all know just how devastating termites can be to your home. We don’t want them anywhere near us! They will literally eat us out of house and home. Even the thought of tiny insects eating away at your largest investment will give you a case of the shivers. It’s horrifying! Do you really know what termite damage can cost you? Let’s dive deeper into the numbers.
Structural Damage
Termites will quite literally eat away at the structure of your home, which is going to lead to some severe damage if left untreated. The actual cost will vary depending on how long the problem goes unaddressed. However, the average cost of termite damage is around $3,000. If you address the problem immediately at the first sign of an infestation, then that cost is going to be greatly reduced.
Cosmetic Damage
Although termites eat away at your home from the inside out, they will eventually cause severe cosmetic damage that will cost you an average of $2,000. Peeling paint and discoloration are two of the most common cosmetic issues. Again, the actual cost can be reduced by addressing the problem immediately.
Exterminator Costs
Obviously before you can make repairs, you will want to hire an exterminator to make sure that the infestation has been taken care of. This is going to cost you some money but nowhere near as much as the potential damage could cost. On average, you can expect to pay somewhere around $4 to $7 per linear foot of your house. The cost will vary on the experience of the exterminator and the extent of the infestation.
Reduce Cost by Addressing the Problem Immediately
I highly recommend that you start attacking termites immediately. Even if you plan to hire a professional exterminator, you should still go ahead and start using some of these DIY methods.
Install Termite Stakes
You can install stakes in just a few minutes. Packs will contain between 10-15 stakes each and you should install them approximately 15 feet apart. In most cases, you will only need to replace them every two years. Even after you have solved the initial infestation, I encourage you to leave these stakes in the ground since they will help prevent future problems.
Indoor Termite Foam
This foam is applied to the interior of your home and can serve as an effective deterrent. You will see almost instant results when you treat those nasty subterranean infestations. This is also a safe treatment, having been approved for use in restaurants and other places that handle food. You just have to make sure that you seal up the void left after the treatment has been applied. On can of foam will treat a rather large area.
The Bottom Line
The size and scope of the termite infestation is going to be reflected in the overall costs. Just remember that the damage caused by these nasty bugs far outweighs the cost of hiring a professional exterminator. The longer you wait to treat the problem, the more costly the infestation will become.
