How to Get Rid of Termites

How to Identify Termites

Subterranean termites are the most common and most destructive type. They live in colonies in the soil and reach the wood in your home through pencil-width mud tubes they build along foundations and walls. The workers that do the damage are pale, soft and rarely seen. In spring you may notice winged swarmers, called alates, that look like flying ants but have straight antennae, a uniform straight-sided body without a pinched waist, and two pairs of equal-length wings that break off easily. Drywood termites, common in warmer regions, live inside the wood itself rather than the soil and push out small piles of pellet-like droppings. Discarded wings on windowsills and around doors are a classic sign that a colony is nearby.

Signs of an Termites Problem

• Pencil-width mud tubes running up foundation walls, piers or crawl spaces
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped or feels soft and crumbly
• Discarded wings near windows, doors and light sources after a swarm
• Bubbling, blistered or uneven paint that looks like water damage
• Small piles of pellet-like droppings near wood (drywood termites)
• Tight-fitting doors and windows or sagging floors from weakened wood

Why Termites Are a Problem

• Termites cause severe, costly structural damage that often is not covered by insurance
• They can weaken framing, subfloors and support beams over time
• Damage usually goes unnoticed until it is advanced and expensive to repair
• An untreated colony keeps feeding and growing year after year
• Active infestations can complicate or derail a home sale

Why DIY Often Falls Short

Termites work deep inside walls, foundations and soil, so by the time you see surface signs the colony is large and the most active feeding is far out of reach. Over-the-counter sprays and foams only affect the few termites at the surface and never touch the colony or the queen that keeps producing more. Effective termite control depends on professional-grade liquid termiticides applied in a continuous barrier around and beneath the structure, or in-ground baiting systems that the colony shares and carries back to the nest, both of which require specialized equipment, products and training to install correctly. A missed gap in treatment leaves an open highway straight to the wood, which is why this is one of the hardest pests for a homeowner to handle alone.

How a Professional Handles Termites

• A licensed pest control professional will perform a detailed structural and soil inspection to confirm the species and extent
• A pro can apply a continuous liquid termiticide barrier around the foundation
• Professional treatment typically involves installing in-ground baiting stations for ongoing colony elimination
• A pro can treat drywood infestations within the wood itself where needed
• A professional will set up monitoring and a renewable protection plan to guard against future colonies
• A pro can document the treatment, which is often required for a home sale or warranty

How to Prevent Termites

• Keep soil, mulch and wood debris from contacting the wood siding and framing of the home
• Direct water away from the foundation with working gutters, downspouts and grading
• Fix leaks and reduce moisture in crawl spaces, basements and around the foundation
• Store firewood, lumber and cardboard away from the house and off the ground
• Maintain a clear inspection gap between the soil line and any wood
• Schedule periodic professional termite inspections, even when you see no signs

Termites FAQs