How to Choose a Termite Control Company
Selecting a termite control company is a decision with structural and financial consequences that extend years beyond the initial treatment. This page covers the evaluation criteria homeowners and property managers apply when vetting providers — including licensing, treatment method selection, contract terms, and warning signs. The scope covers residential and light commercial properties across the United States, where termite damage repair costs the industry an estimated $5 billion annually (National Pest Management Association, as cited by the EPA's termite overview resources).
Definition and scope
Choosing a termite control company means more than comparing prices. It is a structured evaluation of a licensed service provider's qualifications, proposed treatment methodology, warranty terms, and regulatory compliance. The decision governs which termite treatment methods comparison applies to a specific infestation, what protections are contractually secured, and how ongoing monitoring is managed.
Termite control falls under pest control licensing regimes administered at the state level, with pesticide use governed federally under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), enforced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Every company applying termiticides must comply with EPA-registered product label requirements, which carry the force of federal law under FIFRA Section 2(ee). State structural pest control boards — such as the California Structural Pest Control Board and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — layer additional licensing, insurance, and bonding requirements on top of federal baseline rules. A review of termite control service licensing requirements in the US clarifies what to verify by state.
How it works
A qualified termite control evaluation follows a defined sequence:
- Inspection and species identification — A licensed inspector examines accessible structural areas, substructure, soil contact points, and moisture-prone zones. The species present — subterranean, drywood, dampwood, or Formosan — determines which treatment options are viable. See termite species identification (US) for classification criteria.
- Infestation severity assessment — Severity levels range from localized isolated activity to whole-structure infestations, each carrying different treatment scope and cost implications. The termite infestation severity levels framework outlines how professionals categorize findings.
- Treatment proposal — The company presents a written scope of work referencing specific EPA-registered active ingredients, application zones, and access requirements.
- Contract and warranty review — Terms covering re-treatment obligations, damage repair provisions, and annual renewal fees are formalized in a termite control service contract.
- Post-treatment monitoring — Most reputable providers include scheduled follow-up inspections or bait station monitoring under a termite warranty and protection plan.
Common scenarios
Scenario 1 — Active subterranean infestation in an existing structure. The most common residential scenario in the US involves Reticulitermes or Coptotermes formosanus species accessing foundation wood through soil contact or mud tubes. Providers typically propose liquid termiticide barrier treatment or a termite bait station system. The choice between these two approaches involves trade-offs in speed of control versus environmental footprint.
Scenario 2 — Drywood infestation in isolated structural members. Found predominantly in coastal and southern states, drywood termites (Incisitermes and Cryptotermes species) do not require soil contact. Localized infestations may qualify for orange oil termite treatment or heat treatment, while whole-structure infestations typically require fumigation (tenting).
Scenario 3 — Pre-purchase real estate inspection. Real estate transactions in most states require a Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) report. Providers credentialed to issue these reports are often distinct from general pest control companies. See wood-destroying organism reports explained for report scope and interpretation.
Scenario 4 — New construction protection. Builders in high-risk zones apply termite pre-construction treatment to soil and framing before foundation pours. The International Building Code (IBC) and IRC Section R318 mandate termite protection in Termite Infestation Probability (TIP) Zones 1 through 3 as mapped by the International Code Council.
Decision boundaries
Licensed vs. unlicensed providers. No legitimate termite treatment should be performed by an unlicensed operator. Licensing status is verifiable through individual state pest control regulatory boards. The termite control certifications and credentials page outlines what professional designations — such as QualityPro (National Pest Management Association) and Board Certified Entomologist (Entomological Society of America) — signal beyond minimum licensing.
Liquid termiticide vs. bait systems — a direct comparison.
| Criterion | Liquid Termiticide Barrier | Bait Station System |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of knockdown | Fast (days to weeks) | Slow (months) |
| Soil disruption required | Yes — trenching/drilling | Minimal |
| Active ingredient examples | Imidacloprid, Fipronil, Bifenthrin | Hexaflumuron, Noviflumuron |
| EPA registration required | Yes (FIFRA) | Yes (FIFRA) |
| Ongoing monitoring | Optional | Required |
Contract red flags. Pressure to sign same-day, no written warranty, vague re-treatment terms, and unlicensed applicators are documented warning patterns. The termite control red flags and scams page catalogs specific deceptive practices identified by state consumer protection agencies.
When to seek a second opinion. Proposals involving whole-structure fumigation on an infestation that has not been assessed by two independent inspectors, or treatment costs that diverge by more than 50% between bids, warrant an independent second opinion termite inspection.
Insurance status of the provider — including general liability and applicator liability — should be verified directly. The termite control insurance and liability resource covers minimum coverage expectations by state.
References
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act)
- U.S. EPA — Termites: How to Identify and Control Them
- International Code Council — International Residential Code (IRC) Section R318
- California Structural Pest Control Board
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — Pest Control
- National Pest Management Association — QualityPro Certification
- Entomological Society of America — Board Certified Entomologist Program