Palmetto Exterminators
Charleston, Charleston County
32 SC-licensed termite companies · 4.8★ average rating · sorted by rating and reviews · updated July 2026.
Charleston ZIP codes served: 29401, 29403, 29406, 29407, 29409, 29412, 29414, 29424, 29425, 29492
Charleston is the epicenter of the termite problem in South Carolina — it's where the aggressive Formosan subterranean termite first took hold in the state, and the city's historic, crawl-space homes give colonies plenty to feed on.
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Chester County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston, Charleston County
Charleston holds a grim distinction: it’s where the Formosan subterranean termite — one of the most destructive insects in the country — was first discovered in South Carolina. Decades later, the Lowcountry remains the state’s worst termite zone. A single Formosan colony can contain millions of individuals and forage across multiple properties, so treatment here is less “if” and more “how often.”
The building stock makes it worse. Charleston’s historic downtown, the islands and the older suburbs are full of wood-framed homes on crawl spaces and pier foundations, often surrounded by mature trees and damp soil. That’s ideal termite habitat, and it’s why local companies lean heavily on perimeter liquid barriers and in-ground bait monitoring rather than one-and-done spot jobs.
If you own in the Charleston area, an active termite bond with annual re-inspection is the standard of care — and the cheapest insurance against a repair bill that can run into five figures.
A full termite treatment on a typical Charleston home runs about $1,200–$2,500, with annual termite bonds at $150–$350. For the full breakdown — liquid vs. bait, what drives the price, and how to compare quotes — see our cost guides:
Charleston has the heaviest Formosan termite pressure in South Carolina. Formosan colonies are far larger and faster than native termites, and the city's older wood-framed homes on crawl spaces are exactly what they target. Annual inspections and an active termite bond are close to essential here.
Expect the upper half of the SC range — roughly $1,500–$2,500 for a full liquid barrier or bait install on an average home, plus $200–$350 a year for a bond. Crawl-space and historic homes can run higher. See our termite treatment cost guide.
Almost always. Most Charleston-area closings require a CL-100 wood infestation report, and given the Formosan pressure, lenders and buyers take it seriously. Budget about $75–$150 for the inspection.