Termite treatment in Pennsylvania: liquid barriers, baits and warranties

Updated November 10, 2026 · KeystoneProGuide editorial team

Which termites live in Pennsylvania?

The eastern subterranean termite. Penn State Extension says it is present throughout Pennsylvania and often damages structural timbers. The EPA says the native subterranean termite is the most common termite in most of the country. These termites live in colonies in the ground and reach the wood in a house through the soil, which is why treatment focuses on the soil around and under the foundation.

Penn State adds two points that change how urgently you need to act. First, damage that becomes visible is usually the result of years of infestation, not a sudden collapse. Second, many Pennsylvania houses are unlikely ever to have termites, because of where they are or how they were built. Problems usually show up 10 years or more after construction.

How do you confirm termites before paying for treatment?

Get the house inspected by more than one company. Penn State recommends a professional inspection even if you look yourself, because licensed companies have people experienced in finding infestations that most homeowners would miss. In Pennsylvania, look first in the basement or cellar and the timbers just above the cellar walls, and around furnaces, chimneys and water heaters, which termites favor for warmth.

Be sure it is termites and not carpenter ants. Penn State says the two are easily confused but need different methods of control. Carpenter ants leave coarse wood shavings and smooth galleries; termites leave soil-lined passages and mud tubes.

What are the treatment options?

Penn State and the EPA describe two main professional approaches, plus structural fixes.

Liquid soil barrier. The most common technique, according to the EPA. A termiticide labeled for this use is applied to the soil to create a treated barrier between the colony and the wood. Penn State says this may involve trenching beside the foundation, injecting liquid into the soil through a rod, and drilling through slabs, porches and patios to reach the soil underneath. The EPA warns that done improperly, a barrier treatment can contaminate the home and nearby drinking water wells and will not protect against termites.

Baits. Bait stations hold cellulose material with a slow-acting insecticide that termites carry back to the colony. The EPA says bait systems were introduced partly to reduce overall insecticide use. Penn State says baits are especially useful where a well or spring is close to the foundation, drain tiles surround it, ducts run under the slab, or the water table is high, all situations where a soil treatment is ill advised. It adds that many factors in how well baits work are poorly understood, and that a bait system combined with a partial soil treatment may be advisable.

Structural fixes. Penn State says structural and chemical methods together often give the most satisfactory results. The structural side is removing wood debris and firewood near the house, replacing wood that touches the soil with pressure-treated or non-wood material, keeping wood at least 18 inches above the soil where possible, filling foundation cracks, and making sure gutters, downspouts and grading carry water away.

Can you treat termites yourself?

Penn State Extension does not recommend it. It cites the difficulty of obtaining termiticides, the specialized and costly equipment, and the experience needed to make a continuous barrier in the soil. The EPA says termiticide application can in most cases only be properly done by a trained professional, and that many termiticides are highly toxic.

Who is allowed to treat termites?

In Pennsylvania, a company with a pesticide business license employing an applicator certified in category 12, wood destroying pests. Penn State's choosing guide uses termites as its example: ask to see the certification card and check that it shows category 12. The EPA says firms offering termite services must be licensed by the state.

What should you check on the product?

Ask for the label. The EPA says that if it does not include directions to control termites and protect the structure, the product is not intended for that and should not be applied. It warns that products that only claim to kill termites kill only those that touch them, not the infestation. Ask also how soon you can return to treated areas, which the EPA says is on the label.

What does treatment cost?

Angi reports a national average of $621 for termite treatment, with most homeowners paying $263 to $1,033. HomeGuide puts an exterior barrier or bait treatment at $225 to $2,500. Repairs to damaged wood are extra. Penn State suggests getting estimates from at least three licensed companies, since it is common for companies to offer different treatments and warranties.

What should a termite warranty say?

Penn State's advice, in short:

• Coverage. A subterranean termite warranty does not cover carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles or other termite species.
• Exclusions. Companies limit liability where the soil by the foundation has been disturbed or additions were not treated, so tell the company about any later work.
• Damage. Have a thorough inspection with a detailed record of current and past activity before treatment, and ask for a damage replacement clause.
• Renewal. A yearly renewal fee of about 10% of the original price is common. Penn State reports failure rates of 20 to 30 percent in some areas and advises keeping the warranty at least one to two years to see whether treatment worked.

What records should you keep?

Pennsylvania's regulation requires the company to record the product, its EPA registration number, the amount used and who applied it, and to keep that record for 3 years. Ask for those details in writing with your warranty. For more on choosing a company see how to choose, and for the signs that call for an inspection see warning signs.

Sources

1. Eastern Subterranean Termites, Penn State Extension
2. Termites: How to Identify and Control Them, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
3. Termite Treatment Cost: A Comprehensive Breakdown, Angi
4. How Much Does Pest Control Cost?, HomeGuide
5. 7 Pa. Code Chapter 128. Pesticides, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania Code)
6. Choosing a Qualified Pest Management or Lawn Care Company, Penn State Extension
7. Carpenter Ants, Penn State Extension