General pest control vs termite treatment

General pest control vs termite treatment: one is routine maintenance, the other is structural defense. Compare scope, cost, and when each is needed.

General pest control is a broad, recurring service that manages common household pests — ants, spiders, roaches, mice, and seasonal invaders like stink bugs or wasps. A quarterly plan costs $100–$300 per visit (or $400–$1,200/year). The technician applies a perimeter barrier (granular or liquid insecticide around the foundation), treats entry points, sets rodent bait stations, and addresses specific infestations. It's preventive maintenance — like an oil change for your house. Termite treatment is a specialized, high-stakes service focused entirely on one pest that causes $5+ billion in U.S. property damage annually. There are two main approaches: liquid barrier treatment (trenching and injecting termiticide like Termidor around the foundation, $1,500–$4,000 for a typical home, lasts 5–10 years) and bait station systems (Sentricon or similar, $1,200–$3,500 installed plus $200–$400/year monitoring). A standard pest control plan does NOT cover termites — termites require their own contract, warranty, and treatment protocol. Many pest control companies offer both services but as separate agreements with separate pricing.