How long does termite treatment last? Experts weigh in

Key points

• Termite treatment generally lasts five to 10 years when implemented by pest control experts.

• Treatment longevity factors include termite type, treatment method and the environment.

• Annual inspections and home maintenance reduce the likelihood of future termite infestations.

Termites are small but mighty and can cause costly damage to buildings and infrastructure. Often, homeowners insurance does not cover termite damage, according to Joe Malinowski, vice president of pest management at Pest Authority. Luckily, several treatment options can remove termites from your home. But how long will these treatments last?

Typically, termite treatments last between five and 10 years. The type of termites and the severity of the infestation — which pest control professionals can determine — will affect how long treatment lasts.

“The longevity of a treatment depends on several factors, including the type of treatment, where the treatment was applied (inside a home versus in soil, for example), weather conditions and environment,” said Ben Hottel, a technical services manager at Orkin.

How long do common termite treatments last?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but most common treatments tend to last five years to about a decade.

The table below shows the most common types of termite treatments, how long they last and which termite types they affect, according to our experts and research.

Termite Treatment	Treatment Life Span	Termite Type
Liquid application	5–10 years	Subterranean, drywood
Gas fumigation	Up to 5 years with other methods	Drywood
Bait stations	Up to a year, varies with inspection	Subterranean

“The residual of a termite treatment is difficult to put a timeline on,” said Malinowski. “It’s dependent on what products are used.”

Using chemical termiticides, such as liquid applications, is one of the more popular ways to get rid of termites.

However, before a company can sell or distribute any pesticide in the United States, it must be evaluated to ensure it won’t place unreasonable risks to people or the environment, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Many states also review pesticide labels to ensure they comply with federal requirements and possible state restrictions.

Pest control professionals have the skills, expertise and equipment to apply pesticides safely and efficiently.

Liquid application

Liquid termite treatment is usually one of the most effective and guaranteed treatments, lasting between five and 10 years, according to Malinowski.

Nonrepellent liquid termiticide binds to the soil, creating a barrier for the termites to pass through. “It slowly eliminates the termites through contact and consumption,” said Nathan Watters, president and owner of Cummings Termite and Pest. 

“This chemistry was developed over 20 years ago, creating a methodical and environmentally conscious solution to termite management. Nonrepellant technology substantially cut the amount of active ingredient applied to the soil and eliminated nearly half the amount of water used in the application,” he said.

Treating soil with termiticide is widely accepted for subterranean termites, which reside in the soil.

If your home’s wood is infested with drywood termites, liquid termiticide can also be injected into wood membranes.

Gas fumigation

The effects of this method can last up to five years if the area is properly maintained to prevent termites from returning in the future, according to HiTech Termite Control.

“There is no residual with fumigation. Once the fumigant has subsided there is no more control, no cleanup and the customer’s space begins as a clean slate concerning pest control,” Watters said.

Gas fumigation is the best for managing drywood termite infestations because the treatment can reach drywood termite colonies that could be hidden from inspectors, according to Hottel. The fumigation may also eliminate other hidden pests.

One downside to this potent treatment is that you must evacuate your home and cannot return until the fumigation process is complete, usually one to three days later.

Bait stations

Bait stations often destroy an entire colony within a few months and prevent new ones from forming for approximately one year, according to EcoGuard Pest Management.

Bait systems are another popular option — and they use fewer chemicals than other common treatments. They’re usually installed below the soil grade and filled with cellulose treated with termiticide. Subterranean termites consume this and distribute it to the rest of the colony, eliminating them.

“Termite bait stations are minimally invasive to the structure, but require a high degree of inspection to ensure control,” Watters said. Pest control companies often perform quarterly, monthly, biannual or annual inspections where they replace the bait stations, if necessary.

This treatment option is often used in conjunction with others as a form of long-term prevention. However, since bait systems require routine visits to monitor, add or replenish baits, they can cost more than other forms of termite control, according to the University of Kentucky’s Department of Entomology.

What other factors influence how long termite treatments last?

After spending time and money on termite treatment, you’ll want to do everything possible to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Treating the origination of termite colonies will ultimately provide the long term results homeowners are looking for, according to Watters.

Naturally, the size and scope of your infestation can affect how long the treatments can last — the more widespread an infestation is, the shorter the treatment’s life span. Here are some other factors that influence how long termite treatments last.

Type of termite 

The two most common termite types are subterranean and drywood. Subterranean termites live underground and thrive on moisture — they’re also the most economically impactful termites, according to Watters. Drywood termites love to feast on your home’s wood and are often difficult to detect.

Because the type of termite dictates which treatment is most appropriate, it naturally affects how long the treatment will last.

Environment 

Not only are termites drawn to moisture and its effects on wood and soil, but excessive moisture and flooding can also affect treatment efficiency, Watters said. For example, flooding can wash away liquid termiticide.

For bait systems, the season they’re installed affects how long the treatment lasts. If bait is installed in the summer or fall when termites tend to be active, feeding on the bait may slow as temperatures become cooler, causing potential termite activity to linger in the spring, according to NC State Extension.

Professional vs. DIY

According to our February 2024 survey of 1,000 homeowners who experienced a pest problem within the last two years, 52% of respondents who had a termite infestation hired a full-service pest company; 28% ultimately hired a professional after attempting to handle the issue themselves.

This indicates that professional treatment options are generally more effective when dealing with these silent destroyers. As mentioned, pest control professionals know how to safely deal with pesticides and effectively apply treatments. DIYing your termite control could be dangerous and involve spending money without any results.

How can you prevent termites after treatment?

After getting your termite problem under control, you’ll want to prevent future infestations. Below are a few proactive measures you can take.

Have annual termite inspections

You should take an active approach to prevent termites after treatment. Start by having annual termite inspections.

“The best strategy is to call a reputable pest control company for an inspection at least annually or more often if there are signs in the home,” Malinowski said.

If you have bait stations set up, you’ll likely want to have more frequent inspections, as much as four times a year, according to the NC State Extension.

Maintain the environment

After a pest control expert applies the appropriate treatment, you’ll want to maintain ideal conditions to prevent further termite damage.

Look out for and repair leaky wood-framed doors or windows, leaky roofs, plumbing issues, grading issues, or clogged gutters or downspouts, Hottel said. If you don’t have gutters, installing them can help direct moisture away from your home’s foundation.

“The homeowner can take some steps to mitigate the risk of a recurrence of termites,” Watters added. “Removing old lumber and any dead cellulose material (like stumps) from around the structure, ensuring adequate drainage away from the structure, and eliminating moisture from perpetually saturated soil is good practice.”

What’s next?

Once an expert has applied or set up the treatment that best suits your needs and the type of termites you have, keep an eye on the area and continue maintaining your home.

If you notice an uptick in termite activity after treatment, contact a professional pest control company. They can check the perimeter of your home to see if you need further treatment or a different treatment option that will produce longer-lasting results to ensure your home stays termite-free.