The work
What termite treatment actually involves
Inspection, identification, then a treatment matched to the species
Termite work begins with an inspection that establishes whether there is an active infestation, what species, and how far it has gone. Subterranean termites reach the building from the soil and are treated with a soil barrier or a baiting system; drywood termites live in the timber itself and need local or whole-structure treatment.
Getting the identification right matters because the treatments are not interchangeable.
Damage and treatment are separate jobs. A treatment stops the colony; it does not repair weakened timber, and structural repairs are a builder's work priced separately.
The warranty
A termite warranty is either repair or retreatment, and they differ enormously
Almost every termite contract comes with a warranty, and the single most important thing about it is whether it covers damage.
A retreatment warranty means they come back and treat again if termites return. A repair warranty means they also pay to fix the damage. The second is worth substantially more and costs more.
Both usually require annual inspections to stay valid, and both have exclusions for conditions, like earth-to-wood contact or moisture, that you may be expected to correct.
Failure points
Two things that go wrong
Treating without finding the entry
“What conditions are letting them in, and what do I need to change?”
Subterranean termites need a route from the soil, and the conditions that let them in, timber in contact with the ground, mulch against the wall, a leak keeping the frame damp, will bring them back after any treatment. The inspection should name those conditions.
Annual renewals that lapse quietly
“What does the annual renewal cost, and what happens to the warranty if I miss one?”
The warranty depends on an annual inspection that you pay for, and a missed year can void cover built up over a decade. It is worth knowing the renewal date and what happens if a year is skipped.
Before you book termite treatment
How we rank →Six checks, in the order they save you the most. None of them takes longer than a phone call, and the first one is the reason two quotes for the same job can be a thousand apart.
Common questions about termite treatment
Who handles termite treatment?
Termite treatment is handled by pest control companies. Not every company in the trade takes this work on, so each ranking lists the services a company genuinely performs rather than everything it advertises.
What should I ask before booking termite treatment?
Ask what the quote includes and excludes, who is doing the work, whether a permit is needed and who is pulling it, and what the workmanship warranty covers. Get the answers in writing before anyone starts.
How do I compare quotes for this?
Put them on one sheet line by line. Differences in price almost always turn out to be differences in scope, material grade or warranty length rather than margin.
Is termite treatment priced separately from the rest of the job?
Usually it is a line inside a larger quote rather than its own invoice, which is exactly why the exclusions matter. Ask for it itemised so you can compare that line between companies instead of comparing two totals.
For pest control
Do you offer termite treatment?
Claim your profile so the services you actually perform are the ones recorded here, alongside your licence, hours and coverage. Neither claiming nor advertising buys a ranked position.