Drywood Termite Treatment: Methods, Costs, and How to Choose

By Andrea · August 2026

Drywood termites nest inside wood with no soil contact, making the liquid barriers and bait stations used for subterranean species useless against them. Choosing the right method depends on infestation spread and whether you can vacate — see the full Termite Treatment Cost overview for a method-by-method cost comparison.

Why Drywood Termites Require a Different Approach

Subterranean termites enter through the foundation via soil — interrupt that route and you stop the colony. Drywood termites skip soil entirely: a swarm lands on bare wood, bores in, and starts a colony inside a wall stud or rafter, potentially 8 feet off the ground. For broader context on how these species differ in treatment, see Termite Control.

Tent Fumigation: The Whole-Structure Option

When drywood termites have spread to multiple areas, tent fumigation is the only method proven to reach every corner — the structure is sealed, filled with fumigant gas, and you vacate for roughly 2–3 days. For full cost breakdowns including prep and hotel stays, see Termite Tenting And Fumigation and broader Termite Control options.

Spot and Localized Treatment: Contained Infestations Only

If the infestation is confined to a single accessible piece of wood, contractors can drill and inject termiticide directly into the gallery — no evacuation required. This only works when the infestation truly hasn't spread; see Termite Spot Treatment for what contractors charge.

No-Tent Alternatives: Orange Oil, Heat, and Electro-Gun

No-tent alternatives like orange oil (d-limonene) and heat treatment can eliminate drywood termites in defined areas without requiring evacuation, but they can't match fumigant gas for widespread infestations. See Termite Treatment Without Tenting for an honest comparison of these options and their Termite Treatment Cost.

What Drives the Cost of Drywood Termite Treatment

Two factors dominate drywood treatment pricing: how far the infestation has spread, and which method that spread requires. A spot treatment on one accessible beam costs far less than a whole-structure fumigation. Beyond those two, the variables that move the price include:

• Home size and cubic footage — fumigation is priced per thousand cubic feet, so a two-story home costs more than a single-story of the same footprint
• Accessibility — wood buried inside finished walls requires more labor for localized treatments than exposed framing
• Number of infestation sites — multiple separate colonies in different parts of the structure push you toward fumigation rather than spot treatment
• Region — drywood termite pressure is highest in California, Florida, Hawaii, and the Gulf Coast, and local labor markets reflect that

Use the Termite Treatment Cost Calculator for a rough range, then get at least three quotes from licensed local pest-control companies.

DIY for Drywood Termites: Very Limited

Borate-based treatments can prevent drywood termites during construction but are ineffective once wood is enclosed. Tent fumigation requires a licensed applicator — it's not a DIY option. For a realistic look at what consumer products can and can't do, see the Termite Treatment Cost guide and the Termite Treatment Home Depot page.

Getting an Accurate Quote

A licensed WDO inspection should happen before any treatment decision — it maps active damage, determines whether the infestation is localized or spread, and identifies which method is warranted. Get three quotes from licensed professionals, compare coverage, and ask about re-treatment warranties. Use the Termite Treatment Cost Calculator to benchmark what you're quoted.