Termite control companies

About termite control

Termites can feed inside the wood of a house for years before the damage shows. This page explains what termites leave behind, what you can do yourself, and what to expect when you hire a professional.

Most of the US has subterranean termites, which live in the soil. Formosan termites, an aggressive subterranean type, are found mainly along the Gulf Coast, in the Southeast and in Hawaii. Drywood termites live inside dry wood and are mostly a concern in warm southern areas, including Florida, southern California and the Southwest.

Signs of termites in your home

• Mud tubes. Narrow tunnels of soil running up foundation walls, piers or pipes.
• Swarmers or wings. Winged termites coming out of walls or window frames, or small piles of shed wings on sills. Subterranean termites usually swarm in spring, and earlier in the South.
• Pellets. Drywood termites push out tiny, hard pellets that pile up below the wood they're eating.
• Damaged wood. Wood that sounds hollow when tapped, or bubbling paint and sunken lines on walls and trim.

How to make your home less inviting to termites

Subterranean termites need moisture and a path from the soil to wood. You can take away both.

• Fix leaking pipes, faucets and air conditioner drain lines near the foundation.
• Keep gutters clean and point downspouts away from the house.
• Keep mulch and soil several inches below the siding.
• Store firewood and lumber away from the house and off the ground.

Leave any mud tubes you find for the inspector to see.

What professional termite treatment involves

It starts with an inspection of the outside walls, the foundation, any crawl space or basement, the garage and the areas around plumbing. The inspector should tell you which termite they found and how far the activity goes.

For subterranean termites, the two main approaches are a liquid treatment applied to the soil around the foundation and bait stations placed in the ground around the house. Liquid treatment can involve drilling through slabs or patios. Some companies combine the two.

For drywood termites, the options include fumigating the whole house under a tent, which means you leave for a period, or treating the infested wood directly when the damage is limited.

Most termite work comes with ongoing inspections, often yearly, and a renewable warranty. Price depends on the size and construction of the home, the type of termite, how far the damage goes, the treatment method and the warranty terms.

Questions to ask a termite company before you hire

1. Is your company licensed for termite work in this state, and is the technician licensed?
2. Which termite is this, and what did you find that shows it?
3. Which treatment do you recommend, and what are the other options?
4. How many follow-up inspections are included?
5. Does the warranty cover retreatment only, or repair of new damage too? Does it transfer if I sell?
6. What do I need to do before treatment, such as clearing access to the crawl space?

Compare the termite companies listed above and read their reviews to see how each one handled inspections and follow-up.