How much does termite tenting cost?
Termite tenting cost in 2026 runs roughly $1,200–$2,500 for a typical home, according to industry cost data from sources like HomeGuide and Angi, or about $1–$4 per square foot, with larger homes and severe infestations costing more. Pricing is usually based on the home's cubic volume, not just floor area. Tenting — whole-structure fumigation — is the heavy artillery for drywood termites, which are common in Florida, and it's worth understanding when you actually need it versus a lesser treatment before you commit to the cost and the hassle of vacating your home.
Key takeaways
- Whole-home tent fumigation runs about $1,200–$2,500, or $1–$4 per square foot.
- Pricing is based on the home's cubic volume, so larger homes cost more.
- Tenting is for widespread drywood termite infestations; spot treatment suits localized ones.
- Tenting does not treat subterranean termites — those need soil barriers or bait.
- You vacate the home for 2–3 days and follow strict prep and safety steps.
Table of contents
- What termite tenting costs
- When tenting is necessary
- Tenting vs. spot treatment
- Drywood vs. subterranean termites
- How to prepare for tenting
- Where to start
- FAQ
What termite tenting costs
Tent fumigation is priced mainly by the home's size and the severity of the infestation. Here's the 2026 picture:
| Factor | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-home fumigation | ~$1,200–$2,500 | Typical single-family home |
| Per square foot | ~$1–$4 / sq ft | Scales with home size |
| Basis of pricing | Cubic volume | Tall ceilings raise the gas needed |
| Severe / large homes | higher | More structure to treat |
A worked example: tenting a typical Orlando single-family home usually lands in the low-to-mid four figures, while a large two-story with high ceilings costs more because there's more air volume to fill with fumigant. Because pricing is volume-based, get the quote tied to your specific home, and confirm what's included (the fumigation, the tent, and any guarantee).
When tenting is necessary
Tenting is the answer for a widespread drywood termite infestation — when these termites are established in multiple areas of the home's wood, including spots you can't reach. Because drywood termites live entirely inside the wood (no contact with soil), a colony can be in the attic, the walls, and the trim at once, and a localized treatment may miss some of it.
It's a significant step, so a reputable company confirms the extent first. If you have an early or localized infestation, a lesser treatment may suffice; if drywood termites are throughout the structure, fumigation is often the reliable way to be sure they're gone. If you're seeing the signs of termites in Florida — discarded wings, frass (tiny pellets), or hollow-sounding wood — get a licensed inspection to determine which species and how far it's spread before assuming you need a tent.
Tenting vs. spot treatment
The two approaches solve different scales of problem. Tenting (fumigation) seals the entire home under a tarp and fills it with fumigant gas that penetrates all the wood, reaching termites everywhere including hidden galleries — thorough, but costly and disruptive. Spot (local) treatment targets a specific infested area with chemicals or other methods — cheaper and no need to vacate, but it only works if the infestation truly is localized.
The risk with spot treatment is missing colonies elsewhere in a widespread drywood infestation, which lets the problem continue out of sight. So the honest decision is about extent: localized problem, spot treat; whole-house problem, tent. Be wary of a company that pushes either extreme without inspecting — over-selling a tent for a small problem, or under-treating a widespread one to win on price.
Drywood vs. subterranean termites
This distinction decides the entire treatment, so it matters: tenting only works on drywood termites. Drywood termites live inside the wood itself, which is why filling the structure with gas reaches them. Subterranean termites — including the aggressive Formosan species found in Florida — nest in the soil and travel into the home through mud tubes, so a tent does nothing to their underground colony.
Subterranean infestations are treated with liquid soil barriers or bait systems instead, establishing a treated zone the termites can't cross. That's why correct species identification is the first step — paying to tent a home with a subterranean problem would be wasted money. Our guide on drywood termites in Florida covers identification, and the University of Florida's UF/IFAS termite guidance is the authoritative reference on Florida species and treatments.
How to prepare for tenting
Fumigation requires the home to be empty and sealed, so preparation is involved and safety-critical. You'll typically:
- Vacate the home for the fumigation period, usually 2–3 days
- Remove or double-bag food, medicine, and other consumables per the company's instructions (they provide special bags)
- Arrange for people, pets, and plants to be out — including fish and houseplants
- Coordinate access so the crew can seal and later clear the structure
- Follow re-entry timing exactly; the home is cleared and tested safe before you return
A licensed fumigator handles the chemistry and clearance, and federal rules govern the process — the EPA's information on sulfuryl fluoride fumigation reflects how regulated it is. Follow every instruction precisely; the prep exists for your safety. Confirm the company is licensed for fumigation and ask what guarantee or follow-up is included.
Where to start
Start with a licensed inspection to confirm the species and extent before assuming you need a tent. Our pest control directory and Orlando city page list local companies, with more across the full directory; see also our guides on signs of termites and drywood termites. Get the species identified, confirm tenting is the right tool (not a subterranean problem), and choose a licensed fumigator who explains the prep, safety steps, and guarantee.
FAQ
How much does termite tenting cost in 2026? Industry cost data puts whole-home tent fumigation around $1,200–$2,500 for a typical house, or roughly $1–$4 per square foot. Larger homes and severe infestations cost more. Price is usually based on the home's cubic volume.
When is termite tenting necessary? Tenting (fumigation) is for widespread drywood termite infestations throughout a structure. Localized or early infestations may be handled with spot treatment, but once drywood termites are established in multiple areas, whole-structure fumigation is often the reliable fix.
What's the difference between tenting and spot treatment? Tenting seals the whole home and fills it with fumigant gas to reach termites everywhere, including hidden galleries. Spot treatment targets a specific area. Spot treatment is cheaper but can miss colonies in a widespread drywood infestation.
Does tenting work on subterranean termites? No. Tenting targets drywood termites living in the wood. Subterranean termites, which nest in the soil, are treated with liquid barriers or bait systems instead, not fumigation.
How do I prepare for termite tenting? You vacate the home for the fumigation period (usually 2–3 days), remove or bag food and medicine per the company's instructions, arrange for people, pets, and plants to be out, and follow all safety steps the licensed fumigator provides.