Updated February 2025 · 9 min read · PestID Editorial Team
Termites cause $5 billion in property damage annually in the US — more than fires and storms combined. Early detection and fast action are critical to protecting your home.
Subterranean termites (most common) build mud tubes from soil to wood. Drywood termites (southern/coastal US) push out tiny fecal pellets. Each requires different treatment.
Check your foundation, crawl space, and any wood-to-soil contact. Mud tubes (pencil-width earthen tunnels) are the #1 sign of subterranean termites.
Probe suspect wood with a screwdriver. Termite-damaged wood sounds hollow and a probe punches through easily. Check window frames, door frames, and floor joists.
Place termite monitoring stations around your foundation perimeter every 10 feet. Termites find them, consume bait, and transfer it to the colony.
For subterranean termites, trench and treat the soil around your foundation with Termidor SC. This creates an undetectable chemical barrier — termites unknowingly carry it to the colony.
Move mulch away from your foundation (6 inches minimum). Remove dead stumps. Fix wood that contacts the soil directly. This cuts off termite access paths.
If damage is extensive or you find multiple active mud tubes, professional treatment is warranted. Tent fumigation may be needed for drywood termites in severe cases.
Termite swarmers have straight antennae, equal-length wings, and a broad waist. Ant swarmers have bent antennae, unequal wings, and a pinched waist. Mud tubes = termites, not ants.
Not quickly — structural collapse from termites alone takes decades of neglect. But significant damage to joists, framing, and supports can create expensive repair bills and structural instability.
Liquid treatment (Termidor) runs $300–$900 for average homes. Bait systems cost $500–$1,500 annually with monitoring. Tent fumigation runs $1,200–$2,500+. Worth it for serious infestations.
Generally no. Termite damage is considered a maintenance issue and is excluded from standard policies. This is why prevention is critical.
A mature subterranean termite colony of 60,000–1 million workers can consume a pound of wood per day. Visible damage in structural wood can occur within 3–8 years of infestation.
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Termidor SC Termiticide/Insecticide
Advance Termite Bait System Starter Kit
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