The two bond types, and the one question that tells them apart
Termite work is the biggest cheque most Selma homeowners write in this trade, and the guarantee attached to it comes in two very different forms. Prices and the distinction are below.
Free marketplace paths: one request reaches multiple local pest control pros who know they are competing for the job.
Termite work is the most expensive routine purchase here: a liquid barrier around a typical Selma home runs 1,000-3,200 dollars and inspections 100-300, and the bond that follows may or may not pay to repair damage.
Indiana licenses pest control applicators through Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC), Pesticide Section - which means a Selma homeowner can verify a company against a public record before letting it into the house.
The county around Selma holds 2,314 business establishments per Census County Business Patterns 2023 - a rough proxy for how many pest control operators compete for work here, which is what makes competing quotes realistic.
There are two kinds of termite guarantee and the difference is worth tens of thousands of dollars to a Selma homeowner: retreatment-only obliges the company to spray again if termites return; retreatment-plus-damage obliges it to repair what they ate, up to a stated cap. Most buyers assume they have the second and are sold the first.
Before signing any Selma termite agreement, ask one question in writing: if the treatment fails and termites damage the structure, who pays for the repairs? The answer separates the two bond types faster than reading the contract.
Get competing quotes for a termite quote before you sign anything
Free marketplace paths: one request reaches multiple local pest control pros who know they are competing for the job. Competing quotes on the same problem are the only reliable way to see what it should cost where you live.
External links go to the marketplaces' own sites and forms. This site may earn a referral fee at no cost to you - it never changes the data above, and no individual pest control company pays to appear in our research.
Two kinds of termite guarantee - and the difference is the house
| Retreatment only | Retreatment plus damage repair | |
|---|---|---|
| If termites come back | Company treats again | Company treats again |
| If termites damaged the structure | State regulators state plainly it does NOT oblige the company to repair, replace or correct that damage | Company must repair, replace or correct it, up to a stated cap |
| Who pays for repairs | You | The company, within the cap |
| How it is usually sold | Simply as 'a bond' or 'a warranty' | Named explicitly, costs more, and has written exclusions |
This is the single most expensive misunderstanding available to a Selma homeowner, because termite damage repair runs into tens of thousands of dollars. The question that separates the two in one sentence: if the treatment fails and termites damage the structure, does the company pay to repair it? Federal guidance suggests asking exactly that before signing.
The two kinds of termite guarantee - and which one you are being sold
Retreatment plus damage repair
- Company must treat again if termites return
- Company must also repair, replace or correct structural damage, up to a stated cap
- The cap, the exclusions and the annual renewal fee are written down
- Usually requires an initial treatment to their standard and annual inspections
- Costs more - because it actually transfers risk
Retreatment only
- Company must treat again if termites return
- Explicitly does NOT oblige the company to repair damage the termites caused
- Structural repair costs stay with you - potentially tens of thousands
- Often sold simply as 'a bond' or 'a warranty' with no type stated
- Cheaper, and the most common thing homeowners actually hold
What this means in Selma
If you signed at your door, you have 3 business days to cancel under federal rule, in writing, without giving a reason. That protection exists because high-pressure doorstep selling is common in this trade - a state attorney general obtained a court order and a six-figure settlement against one national operator in 2026 over exactly that conduct.
This page is independent research, not legal or pest-management advice. Licensing rules, notification requirements and consumer protections vary by state and change - verify current requirements with your state's regulator, and follow product labels and professional advice for any treatment. Pesticide labels are federal law; this site does not recommend specific products or treatments.
Get competing quotes for a termite quote before you sign anything
Free marketplace paths: one request reaches multiple local pest control pros who know they are competing for the job. Competing quotes on the same problem are the only reliable way to see what it should cost where you live.
External links go to the marketplaces' own sites and forms. This site may earn a referral fee at no cost to you - it never changes the data above, and no individual pest control company pays to appear in our research.
Common questions
What does a termite bond actually cover?
There are two types and the difference is enormous. A retreatment-only bond obliges the company to treat again if termites return but, in the words of state agriculture regulators, does not obligate it to repair, replace or correct any damage the termites caused. A retreatment-plus-damage bond additionally covers structural repairs up to a stated cap. Ask which one you are being offered, in writing.
Can I do it myself instead?
For many common pests, yes - the EPA publishes consumer guidance and hundreds of products are available to the public, including for bed bugs. The work that is legally restricted to certified professionals is fumigation, which uses restricted-use products. The honest dividing line is severity and structure: a visible ant trail is a different problem from a termite colony in a foundation.
What questions separate a good company from a cheap one?
Four: what exactly is being treated and with what method; how many visits are included and what a return visit costs; what the agreement term, renewal price and cancellation cost are; and what the guarantee obliges them to do if the pest comes back. Companies that answer all four in writing are rarely the ones that cause problems later.
Do I have to leave the house during treatment?
For most routine interior treatments the rule is set by the product label, which is federal law - commonly re-entry once treated surfaces are dry. The widely circulated 'twelve hour' figure comes from agricultural worker protection standards and does not apply to homes. Fumigation is different and does require vacating. Ask the technician what will be applied and what the label requires.
How much does pest control cost?
In 2026 published ranges, a one-time general treatment runs 150-500 dollars and recurring quarterly service 100-175 per visit, with typical annual spending of 300-900. The first visit is often discounted or waived when you sign a recurring plan. These are market ranges from price aggregators, not quotes - your price depends on pest, property size and local rates.
Get competing quotes for a termite quote before you sign anything
Free marketplace paths: one request reaches multiple local pest control pros who know they are competing for the job. Competing quotes on the same problem are the only reliable way to see what it should cost where you live.
External links go to the marketplaces' own sites and forms. This site may earn a referral fee at no cost to you - it never changes the data above, and no individual pest control company pays to appear in our research.
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