Termite Tenting Cost (2026): Fumigation by Home Size

HomeGuide puts tenting at $1 to $4 per square foot, or $2,000 to $8,000 for an average 2,000 sq ft home.

Cost by home size

Home size	Cost (HomeGuide)
1,200 sq ft	$1,200 – $4,800
1,500 sq ft	$1,500 – $6,000
1,800 sq ft	$1,800 – $7,200
2,000 sq ft	$2,000 – $8,000
2,500 sq ft	$2,500 – $10,000
3,000 sq ft	$3,000 – $12,000
4,000 sq ft	$4,000 – $16,000

Angi lists tenting at $5 to $20 per linear foot, or $1,200 to $2,500+ as a flat price.

Alternatives to tenting

Option	Cost (HomeGuide)
Chemical soil treatment	$500 – $2,000
Bait stations	$1,000 – $2,500, plus $200 – $400 a year
Heat treatment	$2,000 – $6,000
Spot (micro) treatment	$6 – $8 per sq ft

Planning around tenting

HomeGuide says to arrange a place to stay for 24 to 72 hours while the house is tented.

See termite treatment cost for all methods.

Treatment by termite type (HomeGuide)

Termite	Cost
Subterranean	$250 – $2,000
Drywood	$225 – $2,500+
Dampwood	$225 – $2,500+
Formosan	$800 – $5,000+

Tented vs. tentless

Gas fumigation under a tent runs $2,000 to $8,000, and tented heat treatment $2,000 to $6,000. Tentless options include bait stations at $1,000 to $2,500 plus $200 to $400 a year for monitoring, and chemical soil treatment at $500 to $2,000 (HomeGuide).

After tenting

Plan	Cost per year (HomeGuide)
Annual plan	$200 – $400
Quarterly plan	$250 – $600
Monthly plan	$600 – $900
Termite bond	$500 – $2,000

A termite inspection is often free and otherwise up to $250. A termite bond covers annual inspections and treatment if termites come back.

Angi's tenting figures

Angi puts whole-home tenting at $2,500 or more, or about $5 to $20 per linear foot; fumigation as a flat rate runs $1,200 to $2,500+, and tented heat treatment about $10 per linear foot. By comparison, liquid termiticide costs $3 to $16 per linear foot and bait $8 to $12.

Angi's national average for all termite treatment is $621, with most homeowners paying $263 to $1,033.

What termite tenting is

Tenting, or structural fumigation, covers the whole house with a tent and fills it with a gas fumigant. It is used mainly for drywood termites, which live inside wood rather than in the soil.

How it works

The house is sealed under the tent.
The fumigant is released and held for a set time.
The house is aired out and tested before people can return.

Preparing your home

Plan to stay elsewhere for a few days.
Remove or seal food, medicine and pet food.
Take pets and plants out.
Turn off gas appliances if instructed.

Alternatives

Localized treatments, such as wood injections or heat treatments, can work for small infestations. Tenting is used when the infestation is widespread.

What affects the price

Size of the home.
Roof type and complexity.
Preparation services.
Warranty.

Questions to ask

Do I have drywood or subterranean termites?
Can a localized treatment work instead?
What warranty comes with the fumigation?

In Texas

Most Texas termite problems involve subterranean termites, which are treated through the soil rather than with tenting. Drywood termites are found in some parts of the state. Confirm the termite type before agreeing to fumigation.

What happens during fumigation

Inspection and preparation. The company confirms drywood termites and plans the fumigation. You receive a preparation list.
Tenting. The crew covers the house with large tarps sealed at the ground, creating an airtight enclosure.
Fumigant release. A licensed fumigator releases a gas fumigant into the tented space. A warning agent may be added first so any person who enters would notice irritation. The gas penetrates wood throughout the house, reaching termites deep inside framing and furniture.
Exposure period. The gas stays in the house for a set time, often a day or more, depending on the temperature and the size of the structure.
Aeration. The tarps are removed and the house is ventilated with fans.
Clearance. The fumigator tests the air with monitoring equipment and certifies the house is safe before anyone re-enters.

Most families are out of the house for a few days.

Fumigation does not prevent future termites

Fumigation kills termites in the structure at the time of treatment, but it leaves no residual protection. New drywood termites can fly in and start new colonies later. Some companies offer preventive treatments or inspections afterward, and sealing cracks and painting exposed wood helps.

More on alternatives to tenting

For small, localized drywood infestations, spot treatments with foams, dusts, liquid injections, heat, freezing or microwaves can work. They are less disruptive but may miss colonies the inspector did not find. Tenting is usually recommended for widespread or hard-to-reach infestations.

Choosing a company

Fumigation must be done by licensed fumigators. Ask about the fumigant used, how long you will be out of the home, what the warranty covers and how the company protects plants, roof tiles and the outside of the house during tenting.

Discard food that was not bagged and air out the house.

Let neighbors know about the fumigation, and keep pets away from the tented house until clearance.

Timing

Fumigation is often scheduled in mild weather, because temperature affects how long the gas must stay in the house. Ask the company about scheduling and how many nights you should plan to be away.

Pros and cons of tenting

Tenting reaches termites throughout the whole structure, including hidden areas. The trade-offs are the cost, the time out of the house and the preparation work. For many homes, it is the most complete option.

City	Businesses listed	Avg. Google rating	Total reviews
Houston	169	4.7	119,360
Dallas	79	4.8	12,923
San Antonio	100	4.7	51,337
Austin	61	4.8	47,001
Fort Worth	66	4.8	29,948
El Paso	33	4.8	9,465

Termite Tenting Cost